Brazil Barely Escape Clash With Chile

(3-2pen.)1-1

The group stage is over and in the knock-out rounds it's win or go home.  Host nation Brazil were in action for the first elimination match against Chile today.  Brazil beat Croatia and Cameroon and tied Mexico to win Group A, while Chile beat Spain and Australia and lost to the Netherlands to finish second in Group B.

Brazil took the lead in the first-half off a set-piece.  Neymar played a corner-kick into the box and Thiago Silva got a head on the ball to flick it on to the far-post.  David Luiz was waiting at the far-post and was guarded by Chile's Gonzalo Jara.  After the ball was flicked-on to the far-post it ended up in the back of the net.  David Luiz claimed the goal and gets credit in the official scoresheet, but in reality the final touch came off Jara and should be ruled an own-goal (18').

Chile responded and scored the equalizer on a Brazil turn-over.  Marcelo threw the ball into Hulk whose bad first touch gave the ball to Eduardo Vargas.  The Chilean forward quickly played Alexi Sanchez in-on-goal and he beat the keeper with a shot to the far-post (32').

The first-half ended even and at the start of the second-half Brazil created a very promising attack.  A ball into the box found Hulk and the forward was able to bring the ball down and put it in the net.  However the goal was disallowed as Hulk used his arm to trap the ball before the shot.

After that close chance for Brazil the momentum completely shifted in Chile's favor.  The crowd noticed the change as well and tension began to build for the Brazilian fans and players.  They weathered the storm though and regulation ended tied at one goal apiece.

Brazil were more authoritative in extra-time and kept Chile pinned back in their defensive third for the majority of the additional time.  They could not score though and nearly gave up the losing goal on the last effort from Chile.  Mauricio Pinilla came into the match late and found himself in space inside the Brazilian box.  His shot was just inches too high and rattled the crossbar to end the extra-time still level.

The penalty shootout could have gone either way, but keeper Julio César saved the first two shots from Chile to give Brazil a huge advantage.  David Luiz, Marcelo, and Neymar scored penalties for Brazil putting all the pressure on Gonzalo Jara taking the last shot for Chile.  Jara's shot caught the inside of the post but ricocheted out to give Brazil the win.  It was a nervous finish for the host nation, but now they can take a deep breath and relax until their next match.