Fifa World Cup Round of 16: Cesar the hero as Brazil sink Chile on penalties

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar kept the hosts' hopes of World Cup glory alive on Saturday, saving two spot-kicks in a shootout against Chile to send them into the last eight 3-2 on penalties following a pulsating 1-1 draw after extra time.

Four years to the day since Brazil eliminated Chile at the same stage of the 2010 tournament, they did it again when Gonzalo Jara crashed his spot-kick against the post after Cesar had twice denied the battling Chileans.

Man-of-the-match Cesar, heavily criticised four years ago after Brazil's World Cup exit to the Netherlands, also made an outstanding save in the second half of normal time as the five-times champions moved unconvincingly into a quarter-final against Uruguay or Colombia.

David Luiz had put Brazil ahead after 18 minutes but Alexis Sanchez equalised for battling Chile before halftime and the host nation watched with bated breath as Brazil were on the brink of elimination after Willian and Hulk had failed to convert their spot-kicks.

Fortunately for Brazil, Cesar also saved penalties from Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis before Jara's doomed attempt.

"It was complicated," Cesar said. "The pressure of representing Brazil and playing at home is really great. We played well in the first half but after Chile equalised they got into the game."

"My team mates gave me support and strength. My big dream is that Brazil have a party," said the keeper after helping avoid Brazil's first home defeat in a competitive game since 1975.

For Chile it was a bitter end to a promising World Cup after beating holders Spain in the group stage to cement their status as tournament dark horses.

They failed, however, to exorcise their Brazilian demons once again and fell to them at the same stage as in 1998 and 2010, the last two times they were in the tournament.

They have never managed to beat Brazil at home and have won just seven of 69 games against them.

The Brazilians, who have now eliminated their fellow South Americans in four World Cups including in the 1962 semi-finals in Chile, set a blistering pace and Marcelo took a first crack at goal with a volley that sailed wide.

Chile quickly lost the battle in midfield but their defence kept tournament joint top scorer Neymar in check.

They were helpless, though, when Neymar whipped in a corner in the 18th minute, Thiago Silva headed it on and Luiz, with what looked like some help from Chile's Jara, bundled it in for his first international goal in his 40th appearance.

POURING FORWARD

With the small red patches of Chile fans in the Mineirao stadium swallowed up by a vast sea of yellow shirts, five-times champions Brazil kept pouring forward and Neymar should have done better when he raced clear, only to drive a low shot wide.

Chile, however, levelled 14 minutes later after making the most of a throw-in mix-up between Hulk and Marcelo to send Alexis into the box and the forward drilled the ball in to stun the crowd into temporary silence.

Neymar went agonisingly close with a header that scraped past the post and controlled a superb deep cross-field ball to set up Fred who fired over.

Dani Alves tested Claudio Bravo with a thundering long-range effort but the Chile keeper did well to tip it over the bar.

Brazil, who had won nine of their previous 10 games against Chile, thought they had scored again early in the second half when Hulk controlled a deep cross and scuffed the ball in but referee Howard Webb booked the forward for handball.

With the clock ticking and Brazil getting more nervous, the Chileans felt confident they could pull off a huge upset, similar to Brazil's shock defeat in the 1950 World Cup final against Uruguay, known as 'Maracanazo'.

Cesar pulled off a sensational save to deny Charles Aranguiz from point-blank range in a scintillating game in front of 58,000 spectators in which one wrong pass would potentially prove costly.

Chile, running on empty in extra time, almost snatched a dramatic last-minute winner when Pinilla rattled the crossbar with a tremendous shot but Brazil survived the scare with their fans looking to the skies and praying before the penalties started.

"That near goal right at the end has been really hard for us," Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli told reporters.

"If we had scored, we would have made history for ever. It would have been the 'Mineirazo'. We so nearly won," he said.

Luiz, Marcelo and Neymar converted their penalties and although Willian missed the target and Hulk's effort was saved, Cesar denied Pinilla and Alexis and when Jara sent his effort against the inside of the post the stadium erupted in celebration.

"It's at time like this you get your support from friends and team mates and thanks to Julio who made great saves," Hulk said.

"God willing we will go to the end and make the final. We suffered but we made it. We knew this would be a very hard game, it went to extra time but even with cramps we ran till the end."

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

Brazil 3 Chile 2: Gonzalo Jara's kick hits the right post to send Brazil into the quarter-finals.

Brazil 3 Chile 2: Neymar slides the ball into the centre sending Bravo the other way.

Brazil 2 Chile 2: Hulk's shot is blocked by Bravo.

Brazil 2 Chile 2: Diaz makes no mistake.

Brazil 2 Chile 1: Aranguiz scores the first one for Chile blasting into the roof of the net.

Brazil 2 Chile 0: Marcelo makes no mistake.

Brazil 1 Chile 0: Chile can't seem to get past Cesar who blocks Sanchez's shot.

Brazil 1 Chile 0: Willian misses with Brazil's second kick even as Bravo goes the wrong way.

Brazil 1 Chile 0: Pinilla fires Chile's kick straight to Cesar.

Brazil 1 Chile 0: David Luiz makes no mistake with the first kick.

FULL TIME

Brazil 1 (Luiz 18") Chile 1 (Sanchez 32")

Webb has blown the final whistle in extra-time as the match is taken to a penalty shoot-out, the 23rd in World Cup history.

120+1" Neymar and Hulk break to win a corner while Ramires is just wide of the near post.

120" Chile comes agonisingly close with Pinilla hitting the cross bar.

119" Hulk fires a last ditch attempt to score the winning goal way off target.

118" A long range Willian free kick comes up against the red wall.

116" Brazil pass the ball around deftly but fail to break of solid ring in defence of Chile.

113" Diaz sends a shot sailing into the back of the stand.

112" Alves fires a long range shot wide after Willian plays a free kick to him.

110" Two Chile players are down at the moment as they seem to play for the penalty shoot-out.

108" Chile are forced to make a change as Rojas comes on for the injured Medel.

107" Jo heads a Neymar corner over the cross bar.

106" Oscar makes way for his Chelsea team mate Willian as Brazil get the second period of extra-time under way.

HALF-TIME

Brazil 1 (Luiz 18") Chile 1 (Sanchez 32")

105+1" YELLOW! Alves is booked and the free kick from Sanchez is wayward.

105" Neymar is flagged as chases a long ball from Luiz.

104" Hulk is denied by Bravo again after blasting from a long-range effort from the middle.

103" YELLOW! Pinilla is booked for a cynical challenge on Luiz.

102" Oscar heads a cross from Hulk straight to Bravo.

100" Marcelo floats a good ball into the box but Jo can't get his shot past Bravo.

98" Brazil are enjoying a spell of possession.

95" Diaz fires a free kick way off target after Sanchez is tackled by Ramires.

93" YELLOW! Jo is booked for a high boot on Bravo as he chases a chip into the six-yard area.

92" Hulk wins a free kick on the edge of the area after a surging run from the left.

Neymar fires the free kick into the wall earning a corner which is cleared.

91" Chile get the first period of extra-time under way.

FULL TIME

Brazil 1 (Luiz 18") Chile 1 (Sanchez 32")

Chile has taken the game into extra-time after the scores are deadlocked at the eng of regulation time.

90+2" A Sanchez corner flies across the face of the Brazil goal.

90+1" There are three minutes of added time

90" Brazil defend desperately as Chile step up their attack before Ramires clear.

87" Neymar threatens a counter attack before Silva clears to safety while Chile make a change taking off Vida  and bringing in Pinilla.

86" Chile seem to be content to play for extra time as they pass the ball around calmly.

84" Bravo makes another outstanding save as Hulk fires after sneaking through on the right.

82" Bravo denies Neymar after a teasing cross from Alves.

80" Brazil are stifled by the Chile defence and attempt long balls.

78" Oscar manages to clear a cross by Aranguiz who is put through by Sanchez.

76" Hulk fires wide of the far post with an attempt from long range.

74" Jo misses a great opportunity to put Brazil ahead after failing to latch onto a fine pass into the box after a surging run from Hulk.

72" Ramires comes on for Fernandinho while Sanchez tries to play in Isla with a long ball.

70" Chile are growing in confidence and frustrating Brazil.

67" Hulk is denied again by a challenge inside the box by Aranguiz.

65" Cesar makes a brilliant save to deny Aranguiz from close range.

64" Fred comes off to cheers from Brazilians and Jo comes on.

62" Brazil are camped in their own half at the moment.

60" YELLOW! Gustavo picks up is second booking of the tournament for chopping down Vidal.

56" Chile make their first change as Felipe Gutierrez is on for Eduardo Vargas.

55" YELLOW! Hulk who was denied a penalty earlier has his goal disallowed by Webb apparently for using his arms as an assist while chesting it down before firing into the far corner.

52" Neymar makes yet another electrifying run before being challenged by Isla.

50" Fernandinho fires wide of the near post as he shoot from a distance.

48" Cesar punches away the free kick delivered by Diaz.

47" Chile get an early free kick as Vidal is fouled by Luiz.

46" Brazil get the second period under way.

HALF-TIME

Brazil 1 (Luiz 18") Chile 1 (Sanchez 32")

STAT ATTACK

Total shots: Brazil 12, Chile 4

Shots on goal: Brazil 6, Chile 2

Fouls: Brazil 14, Chile 9

Possession: Brazil 51%, Chile 49%

Saves: Brazil 1, Chile 5

45+2" Aranguiz produces another great run into the box before Luiz clears to safety as Brazil survives some anxious moments before the interval.

45+1" Chile counter attack and Sanchez stretches before Cesar scoops it.

45" Neymar makes another dangerous run and crosses but Fred and Fernandinho get into a tangle.

44" Fred scuffs his effort from close range while Hulk fires wide of the far post.

42" A terrific long range effort from Alves after a Neymar pass is barely tipped over by Bravo.

40" YELLOW! Francisco Silva is the second Chilean to be booked and will also miss the next match.

39" Fred fires over after being played in by Neymar.

36" Neymar goes close following a cross by Oscar with his header being deflected by Medel for a corner.

Brazil 1 (Luiz 18") Chile 1 (Sanchez 32")

32" GOAL! Chile equalise to silence the crowd latching onto a defensive lapse to drive his shot into the far corner.

Brazil are caught napping with Vargas stealing possession and passing to Sanchez whose finish is clinical.

31" Vidal sneaks into the box and after a bit of scramble Thiago clears to safety.

30" Hulk can't lift his free kick over the wall.

29" Neymar is a marked man brought down by another nasty challenge from Vidal and requires treatment.

26" Brazil miss another great opportunity as Neymar fires wide of the far post after a sizzling run through the middle.

23" Neymar and Medel tussle in the middle but Webb does not book either of them.

21" Sanchez twists and turns on the edge of the edge before Gustavo hacks it away.

Brazil 1 (Luiz 18") Chile 0

18" GOAL! David Luiz has scored the first goal of the tournament nicking a corner from Neymar into the net.

17" YELLOW! Mena is booked a for handball. Hulk's ferocious free kick from the right is parried away by Bravo.

16" Neymar breaks free into the box after sidestepping Medel but is stalled as he cuts into the right losinng momentum.

15" Neymar's free kick from a dangerous spot is collected by a leaping Bravo.

13" Hulk tumbles inside the box after being tripped by Mauricio but Webb does not point to the spot.

12" Sanchez plays a clever pass into the danger zone spotting Vargas, who is sent tumbling under pressure from Luiz. But no penalty given.

10" Hulk is making an impact on the left flank shurgging off Isla to cross into the box without troubling Bravo.

8" Bit of a worry in the Brazil camp as Neymar receives treatment following the knock from Aranguiz.

6" Marcelo has the first shot at goal which is just wide of the near post from the edge of the area following a Hulk corner.

4" Fernandinho escapes after bringing down Aranguiz while Neymar goes down after a crunching tackle from two defenders at the other end.

2" Chile get an early free kick after Thiago Silva clipped Vidal.

1" Chile get the match under way.

Brazil have not lost a competitive match on home soil since 1975.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari chose midfielder Fernandinho over Paulinho to start against Chile in their World Cup round of 16 game on Saturday with the hope of providing more thrust and fluidity to feed a Neymar-led attack.

Chile, knocked out by Brazil at the same stage in their last two World Cup appearances in 1998 and 2010, were boosted by defender Gary Medel's recovery from injury.

Midfielder Arturo Vidal also starts despite fitness concerns. Alexis Sanchez leads the attack for 'La Roja' (The Red) at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte.

Hulk and Fred add to Brazil's firepower in the hosts' widely-expected lineup.

Teams for Saturday's 2014 World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Chile at the Mineirao stadium, Belo Horizonte.

TEAMS

Brazil: 12-Julio Cesar; 2-Daniel Alves, 3-Thiago Silva, 4-David Luiz, 6-Marcelo; 5-Fernandinho, 11-Oscar, 17-Luiz Gustavo, 7-Hulk; 9-Fred, 10-Neymar

Substitutes: 1-Jefferson, 8-Paulinho, 13-Dante, 14-Maxwell, 15-Henrique, 16-Ramires, 18-Hernanes, 19-Willian, 20-Bernard, 21-Jo, 22-Victor, 23-Maicon

Chile: 1-Claudio Bravo; 4-Mauricio Isla, 17-Gary Medel, 18-Gonzalo Jara, 2-Eugenio Mena; 20-Charles Aranguiz, 21-Marcelo Diaz, 5-Francisco Silva, 8-Arturo Vidal; 7-Alexis Sanchez, 11-Eduardo Vargas

Substitutes: 3-Miiko Albornoz, 6-Carlos Carmona, 9-Mauricio Pinilla, 10-Jorge Valdivia, 12-Cristopher Toselli, 13-Jose Rojas, 14-Fabian Orellana, 15-Jean Beausejour, 16-Felipe
Gutierrez, 19-Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, 22-Esteban Paredes, 23-Johnny Herrera

Referee: Howard Webb (England)

PREVIEW

Brazil know that their outstanding past record against Chile will count for nothing when the sides meet in an all-South American World Cup last-16 tie at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Saturday afternoon.

The tournament hosts have lost just eight of 68 previous meetings with Chile, and have emerged triumphant in all three past encounters in the World Cup, scoring 11 goals in the process.

That run includes a comfortable 3-0 win against Marcelo Bielsa's Chile side at the same stage of the 2010 finals in South Africa, but midfielder Willian insists that Brazilian fans should not automatically expect a repeat performance.

"Football nowadays has changed so much. Of course Brazil have beaten Chile a few times before, which is good. But we must not think about this. Every game has its own story. I am sure that Chile will be motivated and confident too," said the Chelsea player.

Brazil have yet to live up to the high expectations surrounding them at these finals despite collecting seven points from a possible nine in the group stage.

In contrast, Chile have impressed, notably in sending the holders Spain packing from the competition with a 2-0 win at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Only a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their final Group B match on Monday condemned them to second place and another meeting with Brazil.

However, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted that he would have chosen different opponents for his side than Chile, who drew 2-2 at the Mineirao in a friendly in April last year and narrowly lost 2-1 when the teams clashed in Canada last November.

Striker Fred, who scored his first goal of the tournament in Brazil's 4-1 win against Cameroon on Monday, believes it will be an open encounter against a Chile side who operate with a three-man defence and look to the class of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal going forward.

"Chile are tactically very strong and play with great commitment. And going forward they have players who can make the difference," said the 30-year-old.

"We have seen some of their games. The way the tournament has been I think they will look to attack and Brazil will do the same."

Chile have not reached the quarter-finals since they hosted the tournament in 1962, when they were eventually eliminated in the last four by Brazil.

However, the current side, coached by Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, are confident that they can capitalise on the enormous weight of pressure on Brazil and upset the odds.

"If I thought we were going to lose, I would go back to my room, collect my things and go home," said Sanchez, who will come up against his Barcelona club colleagues Daniel Alves and Neymar.

"We have respect for them, but I think we are going to beat them. We came to this World Cup to make history. We beat the world champions, and although we had a slip-up against Holland, we are going out to try and win the Cup.

"These games are to be enjoyed. We are confident and at the same time we know what we have to do to beat a team containing some of the best players in the world."

Sampaoli was left fuming on Thursday when a helicopter from Brazilian television station O Globo hovered over his squad's training session in the Belo Horizonte suburbs in an apparent attempt to glean clues as to the possible Chile line-up.

Defender Gary Medel picked up an ankle knock in training, but if he recovers, Chile should be at full strength, with Vidal set to feature after being rested for the Netherlands defeat.

Brazil are monitoring a slight back injury suffered by centre-back David Luiz in training, while Fernandinho could come into the midfield at the expense of Paulinho after impressing as a substitute against Cameroon.

The winners will go through to another all-South American tie in the quarter-finals, against either Colombia or Uruguay in Fortaleza.

Brazil hit back at Chile referee concerns 

Meanwhile, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Friday said questioning the integrity of the referee for Saturday's World Cup last-16 tie between Brazil and Chile was "primitive and immature".

Chile forward Alexis Sanchez and the president of the country's Football Association Sergio Jadue have expressed concern in the build-up to Saturday's game in Belo Horizonte that English referee Howard Webb might be influenced by the huge home support at the Mineirao.

"The only thing I fear is the refereeing," said Sanchez on Thursday when asked about the prospect of facing the tournament hosts.

However, when Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was asked to offer his thoughts during Friday's eve-of-game press conference, CBF press officer Rodrigo Paiva intervened.

"To talk about this subject is primitive and immature. Applying this kind of pressure is ridiculous," he said.

"Not only is it disrespectful towards Fifa, the referee and the Brazil team with their 100-year history of winning, but it is also disrespectful towards the people of Brazil."

Jadue called for a "top-level referee" to take charge of Saturday's game, and Webb has plenty of experience, having notably been the man in the middle for the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands in South Africa.

Five previous Brazil-Chile clashes 

Ahead of their World Cup last 16 clash in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, AFP Sport takes a look at five of the best past meetings between Brazil and Chile:

Santiago, June 13, 1962. World Cup semi-final: Brazil 4-2 Chile

The holders faced the hosts in the last four of the 1962 finals and a Brazil side inspired by the brilliant Garrincha triumphed to move a step closer to retaining the Jules Rimet trophy.

Garrincha scored twice in the first half for Brazil, and Vava added two more in the second period, with Jorge Toro and Leonel Sanchez netting, in vain, for Chile.

Garrincha was sent off towards the end but was allowed to play in the final, which saw Brazil beat Czechoslovakia 3-1. Chile, meanwhile, went on to finish third.

Rio de Janeiro, September 3, 1989. World Cup qualifier: Brazil 2-0 Chile

Brazil's defeat to Uruguay in the deciding game of the 1950 World Cup is remembered as the 'Maracanazo'. But in Chile the word describes the events of September 3, 1989.

That night at the famous venue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Chile clashed in a crucial qualifier for the 1990 World Cup.

The hosts were leading 1-0 midway through the second half when a firecracker thrown from the crowd appeared to hit Chile goalkeeper Roberto Rojas on the head.

The bloodied Rojas left the field on a stretcher, but it was later discovered he had inflicted the wound himself using a razor blade hidden in his glove.

Brazil were awarded a 2-0 win and Chile were banned from qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, while Rojas was given a lifetime ban.

Paris, June 27, 1998. World Cup round of 16: Brazil 4-1 Chile

Brazil were the holders while Chile were appearing in their first finals since 1982. However, the latter had scraped through their group with three draws and were outclassed at the Parc des Princes.

Cesar Sampaio and Ronaldo both scored twice for Brazil, who went on to lose the final to France, while Marcelo Salas got one back for Chile.

Johannesburg, June 28, 2010. World Cup round of 16: Brazil 3-0 Chile

Once again Brazil proved too strong in a World Cup showdown for their South American rivals, who had looked good in South Africa under Marcelo Bielsa.

Juan and Luis Fabiano scored in the first half before Robinho added another late on as the Selecao cruised into the last eight, where they lost 2-1 to the Netherlands.

Belo Horizonte, April 24, 2013: Brazil 2-2 Chile

The first of two entertaining friendlies between the sides last year was played at the Mineirao, the same venue where they will meet on Saturday.

Rever and Neymar scored for Luiz Felipe Scolari's team either side of strikes by Mark Gonzalez and Eduardo Vargas for Chile.

However, the majority of players who featured in that match will not be involved on this occasion.

 

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