It was less than a warning bell for the Brazilians from Chile as they got over their challenge scrappily to seal their berth in the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup 2014. Brazil did it in the end, but they might have their fortune to be thanked before giving Julio Cesar the credit for his heroics during the penalty shoot-out. Brazil won it 3-2 on the penalties after being locked at 1-1 for most part of the match.
Brazil made a bright start to the game as they took the lead in the 16th minute when David Luiz got the faintest of the touches to a ball which was going in being deflected by one of the Chilean defenders. But he got the credit for that touch and Brazil was leading just after the first quarter of an hour had passed.
It seemed that Brazil will run away with the match as their attacks poured in constantly. The Chilean defense stood tall and kept themselves in the match by denying the hosts to score. But once Alexis Sanchez got the equalizer midway through the first half much against the run of play, Brazil lost their flair. At half time it was 1-1.
In the second half it was Chile who dominated the proceedings but failed to score. Julio Cesar pulled off a great save midway through the second half and kept it down to 1-1. Brazil had one goal from Hulk but it was disallowed for handball. It might give rise to controversies but the referee could not be blamed for that decision. In fact it was one of the best decisions taken by a referee in this world cup if you abide by Rule No. 12 in FIFA Rule Book. However it stayed 1-1. As the match went on, neither team managed to score in spite of goal bound attacks and at the end of 90 minutes it stayed the same.
As the match went on to the extra-time both set of players adopted the safety-first policy. Chile was the dominant side although Brazil looked dangerous at times on the counter. Pinilla who came on for Vargas in the extra time almost settled it with a last minute strike but it was not his day as his powerful shot hit the cross-piece and went out even after beating Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar. Brazil could breathe a sigh of relief and it was into the penalties to decide the fate of the nations. Brazil kept their cool during the shoot-out and scored on three occasions. Willian missed his penalty when Brazil was 1-0 ahead and Hulk had his shot saved by Claudio Bravo. But it was Julio Cesar who stole the show. Pinilla missed from the spot while Alexis Sanchez’s shot was saved by Cesar. Aranguiz and Marcelo Diaz scored to make it 2-2. Neymar wrong footed Bravo to make it 3-2 and gave Brazil a crucial lead. Gonzalo Jara needed to score to keep Chile in the hunt but his shot hit the post and went out.
Finally we got the winners and it was Brazil. But it was a close shave for the hosts. It could have easily been much different had Pinilla’s shot got in instead of hitting the post seconds before the final whistle. Taking all these into account it can be said that in the end it’s the final score that matters and Brazil has got it in their favour.
Tags: Brazil Brazil beat Chile Brazil in quarter finals David Luiz Alexis Sanchez Neymar FIFA world cup 2014 Julio Cesar World Cup 2014
