A minor classic. Okay, a classic.
Chile stepped up to the major favorites Brazil and revealed some considerable weaknesses in the home side, outplaying them at times, putting six men in the box even as the clock wound down and fatigue kicked in.
It came down to penalties, where Toronto FC keeper Julio Cesar made two crucial saves, and the man whose own goal put Brazil on the board also missed the penalty which put Chile out.
So cruel. So incredible. What a World Cup.
The Goals
GOAL! David Luiz (Brazil) 18 min. Neymar takes a corner, which meets the head of Thiago Silva to the far post...and David Luiz scores! Well, probably not. It appeared from about a million replays that the ball came off the leg of Gonzalo Jara, whom David Luiz was shielding. Though it will go down as a David Luiz goal, it wasn’t.
GOAL! Alexis Sanchez (Chile) 32 min. A Hulk throw-in reception goes all wrong on Brazil’s left flank, and Vargas picks it up to send it Alexis Sanchez powering through the middle of the Brazilian defense. His shot rolled past a fully extended Julio Cesar, and Chile get back on level terms. Woof!
The Penalties
Still drawn at 1-1, the match went to spot kicks. David Luiz scored for Brazil, and after Pinilla's and Sanchez’s penalties were saved, Marcelo scored, seemingly putting it beyond Chile.
Then Aranguiz scored an absolute bullet to the top right corner and Bravo saved Hulk’s kick. Then Marcelo Diaz scored to make it 2-2! After Neymar scored, Jara—the man whose own goal put Brazil on the board, missed.
Man this sport can be so, so evil.
Man of the Match - Julio Cesar
Much-maligned as a Toronto FC number one playing for the Selecao, Julio Cesar earned his place in Brazil, not only for a very good performance across the 120 minutes, but for his penalty heroics, saving two spot kicks crucial for Brazil’s progression to the quarterfinals. Good news for Major League Soccer, and for the QPR loanee’s football future (maybe, probably not).
The Controversy
In the 54th minute, Marcelo played an over-the-top ball to Hulk, who appeared to trap the ball well before bungling the ball past Bravo on the left corner. The stadium exploded, only for Howard Webb to chalk the goal off for handball. The replay shows the ball hitting...something? It’s up to you kiddo, though Webb probably gets the benefit of the doubt.
What did Brazil do to win?
Not much. After a decent first half, Brazil came out looking out of ideas against a hard-working Chilean side that were brilliant in everything save for the final ball. Even so, Pinilla’s crossbar rattler in the second period of extra-time was the only real threatening chance Chile put up against Brazil, who probably edged them out save for some poor finishing from Fred and Jo.
Had Chile shown a little more guile in the Brazilian 18 yard box, this could have been very different. Still, Brazil look very, very beatable. Their rival South Americans won’t show any fear against the home side.
The Takeaway
Jorge Sampaoli’s Chile were a delight to watch through the group stages, even in their 2-0 loss to Netherlands. They never tired, and as Gary Medel showed, playing through what appeared to be a muscle tear for 110 minutes, they were willing to work tirelessly to gain an advantage. Unlike some other sides they never looked to play for pens, putting over half their number into the opposition end well into extra time. A shame we will see them no more this tournament.
The 1,000 Words
Stray Thoughts
Vidal didn’t appear match fit, and while he tried to contribute he played against himself for large stretches of the second half.
Alexis Sanchez was immense. Probably Man of the Match had Chile persevered, running the length of the pitch and expertly taking Chile’s equalizer. He will leave a very hot European transfer commodity (sample size warning!).
Jo and Fred were wet trash for Brazil. So many gilt edged chances, wonderful balls in the area, and such poor control and finishing. Hulk was a little better but he too was undermined by some ridiculous shots and trouble with the final touches. Luck likely played a part, but Brazil will need to be far more ruthless as the World Cup progresses.
Jorge Sampaoli should return to Chile as a hero, and boy oh boy does Phil Scolari have some work to do ahead of the quarterfinals.
