The decision was met by a cacophony of jeers from the home fans, but relief was to displace any feelings of injustice Brazil might have had a few moments later, Julio Cesar producing a stunning reactionary save to keep out Charles Aranguiz's effort following fine work from Arturo Vidal and Mauricio Isla.īrazil continued to look dangerous at the other end, although Neymar's customary composure deserted him as he headed Alves' cross straight at goalkeeper Claudio Bravo - who was later on hand to keep out a powerful Hulk strike.Įxtra time brought with it an added caginess - albeit with the exception of Hulk, who - apparently spurred on by a sense of injustice - was at the heart of everything, epitomised by a powerful effort that forced Bravo into a stop. Suddenly end-to-end in nature, the game almost had a third goal before the break as Neymar, Fred and Dani Alves all went close.Ĭhile gave another reminder of their threat just prior to the interval, Alexis denied his second only by Luiz's last-ditch sliding challenge.Īnother flashpoint came quickly after the restart, Brazil prevented from taking the lead when Hulk was crucially adjudged to have handled Marcelo's ball over the top, which had preceded a fine left-footed finish.
The Paris Saint-Germain-bound defender was officially credited with the goal, although replays suggested that Jara had got a decisive touch to divert the ball goalward.įar from assuming control, though, Brazil were made to pay for some sloppiness at the back 14 minutes later, Eduardo Vargas intercepting a stray Hulk pass and sliding in Sanchez, who produced the coolest of side-footed finishes. Perhaps concluding that there was already enough yellow on show in the stadium, referee Howard Webb rightly kept his cards in his pocket.īrazil started brightly, beating Chile at their own game as they pressed high and afforded their South American counterparts little space.Īnd after 18 minutes their endeavour brought the corner that created the opening goal, Thiago Silva flicking on Neymar's delivery to the back post - where Gonzalo Jara tussled with David Luiz. Three hours earlier, thoughts that a highly-charged atmosphere would simmer after the spine-tingling national anthems were quickly dispelled, as Fernandinho - starting in midfield in place of the much-maligned Paulinho - crunched into an early challenge.
The hosts went ahead through David Luiz but were pegged back shortly afterwards by Alexis Sanchez and the game needed spot kicks to see Felipao's men into the next roundīrazil overcame enormous pressure to edge past Chile on penalties in their World Cup last 16 clash in Belo Horizonte on Saturday following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.ĭavid Luiz officially opened the scoring for Brazil after Thiago Silva's flick-on from a Neymar corner, although replays seemed to suggest the ball had come off Chile's Gonzalo Jara.īut the host nation were pegged back just after the half-hour mark when Alexis Sanchez equalised following sloppy Selecao defending from a throw-in deep in their own half.īrazil fans were then brought to their feet 10 minutes into the second half only to have their hopes of a second goal dashed after Hulk's strike was disallowed for a handball in the build-up.īoth South American sides struggled to fashion a better goalscoring chance as energy levels dropped and the game went into extra-time, when Mauricio Pinilla had the best chance to win the match for Chile by crashing a 20-yard strike against the crossbar in the 120th minute.Īnd so the last-16 tie had to be decided with spot kicks and it was Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar who stood out as the hero, pulling off two saves to see Luiz Felipe Scolari's men into the quarter-finals.
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