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WC MOTD Report: Brazil (3) 1-1 (2) Chile

By on June 28, 2014

Nothing can stop the world like football. The entire nation of Brazil was glued to their television screens. Local Coffee shops closed for the morning. Brazil was facing their first knockout match of World Cup 2014. All of the nation’s years of preparation for the tournament seemed to be in the balance with the result tonight.

And what a roller-coaster of emotions the nation would go through during the one-hundred-and-thirty minutes of football played. From going up early on, to finding themselves on the back foot with thirty seconds left in extra-time, to Chile’s fifth penalty – Brazil was in for a ride. In just seconds, the Estadio Mineirao went from a stadium exploding with celebrations to a brooding mood when Hulk had put the ball in the back of the net to put Brazil back in front, only for the goal to be called back for handball on the forward. It would be a moment that summed up the night.

Just eighteen minutes in Brazil had the lead over Chile, as Thiago Silva flicked a Neymar corner on, and David Luiz bundled the ball home at the far post. Luis Scolari’s side had dominated up until then, and Marcelo had come close in the fifth minute, only to see his whipping twenty-yard effort dip wide of the frame.

Yet, as Chile pressed high for an equalizer, it all fell apart for Brazil in the most unfashionable of ways. Hulk misplaced a simple layoff to the right of his own box, and Arturo Vidal nicked the ball off before cutting it back to Alexis Sanchez in the middle. Sanchez, with far to much space, had the simple task of side-footing a low effort past Julio Cesar from ten yards out.

The mood in the venue was given a slap to the face. The nation of Brazil held its breath for their side’s response. But they would not be disappointed. Neymar nearly found the back of the net shortly after, rising up to head a deflected shot inches wide of the post, before Fred somehow fired over the crossbar from fifteen yards out. Claudio Bravo was then forced into a brilliant stop to tip Dani Alves’ cracking long range effort over the crossbar, as the first half came to a close.

The second half was not nearly as suiting for Brazil, however. Chile controlled for most of the half, and only when Neymar found space for a free header, which he sent straight at Bravo, did Brazil look dangerous. Yet their visitors could not find the back of the net, either, and extra-time ensued. Yet even the scrappy extra half hour of play was of no plus to either side, and while Chile rocked the crossbar with seconds left on the clock, via a twenty hard Mauricio Pinilla shot, the match went into penalties. Another roller-coaster for Brazil to go through.

Luiz bagged the first penalty for Brazil, yet Pinilla found Chile’s first penalty saved. However, Willian then missed for Brazil, not even finding the frame with his very poor effort.

Brazil were handed a stroke of luck again, though, as Cesar stopped Chile’s subsequent penalty, and Marcelo sent Brazil’s third penalty in off the hand of Bravo. Chile then found their first goal, a penalty slammed right into the top right corner, and as Hulk missed his next one Chile had a chance to equalize. Diaz scored the spot-kick, and Neymar made Brazil’s fifth as well.

It was all down to Jara. The Chilean’s effort seemed to be going into the top right corner, yet bounced off the inside of the post and just rolled past the left hand post as well. Brazil’s nerves were finally calmed, they are into the Quarterfinals of the World Cup.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.