Brazil outlasts Chile in penalty shootout drama

              Brazil survived a late scare as Chile rattled their cross bar deep into extra time and the hosts went on to hold their nerves to prevail 3-2 in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals of this year's World Cup.

Round of 16 action at this year’s World Cup kicked off in Belo Horizonte today 28/06/2014 with hosts Brazil locking horns with South American neighbor Chile with a place in the quarterfinals at stake. It was Brazil who got the better of the Chileans the last two times the CONMEBOL teams clashed in the World Cup in the round of 16. The five times former Champions won 4-1 and 3-0 at France 1998 and South Africa 2010 respectively. Playing at home too, they had a slight advantage. That said however, any team which can knockout the Defending Champions in Spain like the Chileans did in their second group game, couldn’t be taken lightly. In the 3^rd minute the Chileans won a free kick following a challenge by Fred on Silva but the ensuing effort was wasted and the Brazilians escaped. Brazil would then win a corner in the 5^th minute but Marcelo, eager to atone for his own goal in the opener with Croatia, blasted his effort high and wide. In the 13^th minute Brazil thought they had a penalty when Hulk went down in the Chilean area but the decision was not given. Minutes later Neymar would squander a free kick opportunity but Bravo in the Chilean goal was equal to the task. There was plenty of action in the early stages of the match as Brazil constantly found themselves in the Chilean half. All the Brazilian pressure would soon pay off though, as a corner from Neymar in the 18^th minute forced Chilean Gonzalo Jara to hit the ball onto David Luiz who deflected it into the Chilean goal. 1-0 Brazil. 

In the 26^th minute Brazil had a chance to double their lead as a promising play from Neymar, who picked up the ball from half-line. His ensuing shot was wide though. Brazil would soon rue that opportunity however as a mix-up in the Brazilian defense from their own throw-in enabled Sanchez to work a ball inside and compose himself  before hitting a side-footed effort past Julio Cesar and bring Chile on level terms. In the 42^nd minute Brazil had a chance to regain the lead as a long-range strike from Dani Alves was brilliantly tipped over the bar. Chile then won a corner just before halftime but the Brazilian defense cleared it away. Another Chilean corner was wasted and at the half both teams went in at 1-1.  At the resumption Chile would win an early free kick in the Brazilian half as David Luiz brought down Vidal. The ensuing free kick from Diaz was punched away by Cesar in the Brazilian goal and the Brazilian defense survived. A long range strike from Fernandinho for Brazil soon after would go just wide as he slipped slightly before making the shot and the Chileans dodged a bullet. Hulk thought that he had restored Brazil’s lead in the 55^th minute but his goal was ruled out as he was judged to have controlled the ball with his hand. He would then receive a yellow card. 

In the 72^nd minute Brazil would make a change as Ramires replaced Fernandinho in an effort to restore the Brazilian lead. Two minutes later a great Brazilian opportunity was squandered as Jo couldn’t connect with Hulk’s cross.  In the end neither teams could be separated so the game went to extra time. At the start of extra time Brazil won a free kick as Hulk was brought down in the Chilean half. Neymar’s ensuing free kick was then cleared away. In the 105^th minute Chile won a free kick of their own as a Dani Alves foul enabled the Andean team the opportunity to snatch a lead. Dani Alves would draw a yellow card. Alexis would however squander the opportunity to give his team the advantage. At the end of the first extra time period, the score was still 1-1. At the start of the second period Chile made a substitution as Jose Roca replaced Gary Medel.  In the 121^st minute Chile almost broke Brazilian hearts as Pinilla rattled  Cesar’s crossbar. In the end the teams couldn’t be separated and the game went to penalties.

David Luiz was up first for Brazil and quickly sent the hosts in front. 1-0 Brazil. Julio Cesar would then save Pinilla’s effort to preserve the Brazilians’ lead. More drama was to come as Wilian shot wide and the score still remained at 1-0. Chile couldn’t take advantage though as Cesar stopped Alexis’ effort. Brazil then increased their lead as Marcelo put his shot past Bravo despite the Chilean custodian getting a hand to the ball. 2-0 Brazil.  Aranguiz would then offer Chile a glimmer of hope as he finally put his team on the scoreboard in the shootout. Hulk would then give Brazilian fans a scare as his attempt was blocked by Bravo. Chile would then level the scores as Diaz would make it 2-2.  Up stepped  Neymar with his attempt and he made no mistake in sending Brazil 3-2 in front. All the pressure was now on the Chileans as Jara was up next to take the decisive penalty. Unfortunately the Chile number 18 couldn’t rise to the occasion as he saw his shot cannon off the post and back out sparking wild Brazilian celebrations as the hosts became the first team in the quarterfinals.