Brazil survive scare, Colombia beat Suarez-less Uruguay
Brazil survived an extra-time scare and went on to win on penalties in their match against Chile while Colombia's James Rodriguez produced a wonder-goal to help send Uruguay packing.
Brazil survived an extra-time scare and went on to win on penalties in their match against Chile while Colombia's James Rodriguez produced a wonder-goal to help send Uruguay packing.
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Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar saves a shot by Chile's forward Alexis Sanchez during the penalty shoot out after extra-time in the Round of 16 football match between Brazil and Chile at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN
Brazil and Colombia through to quarter-finals
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, AFP – Brazil survived a huge scare to edge past Chile into the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday as Colombia's James Rodriguez produced a wonder-goal to help send Uruguay packing.
Brazil has a late extra-time scare as Chile's forward Mauricio Pinilla (L) takes a shot on goal as Brazil's defender and captain Thiago Silva defends. The ball hit the crossbar, however. AFP PHOTOS / ODD ANDERSEN / FABRICE COFFRINI
A titanic second-round battle in Belo Horizonte saw Brazil beat Chile 3-2 on penalties after the South American rivals finished extra time locked at 1-1. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186487/index.html)
Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero, saving twice in a nerve-shredding shoot-out before Chile defender Gonzalo Jara's final spot-kick struck the post to hand the hosts victory.
Chile's defender Gonzalo Jara sends his penalty kick just wide enough to deflect off the post, giving Brazil victory. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA
The penalty drama unfolded after a pulsating game at the Mineirao Stadium which saw Chile almost snatch victory in the closing minutes of extra-time when substitute Mauricio Pinilla's shot crashed back off the woodwork.
Unbearable tension as Chile's team line-up during the penalty shoot out after extra-time. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BERNETTI
"If you don't exploit the few opportunities you get, you can go out," relieved Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said afterwards.
"We almost paid the price in the 118th minute when the ball hit the bar."
Fans of Brazil celebrate at the end of the match, in Porto Seguro. AFP PHOTO / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
Brazil, roared on by their partisan support, started strongly, taking the lead through a goal credited to David Luiz after 18 minutes.
Neymar swung a corner in from the left and the Paris Saint-Germain defender rose to turn the ball into the net.
Chile's defender Gonzalo Jara (R) tries to defend as Brazil's defender David Luiz scores a goal. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BERNETTI
But Chile came back and equalised after 32 minutes, Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez punishing slack play in the penalty area to slot past Cesar.
In the shoot-out, both teams missed spot-kicks to leave Neymar as Brazil's fifth and final penalty-taker.
The Brazilian poster-boy duly tucked away his penalty to make it 3-2 and when Jara missed, the hosts celebrated.
Brazil's forward Neymar scores the winner during the penalty shootout. AFP PHOTO / POOL / FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT
Brazil's goalkeeping hero Cesar had broken down in tears just before the shoot-out, highlighting the excruciating tension of the moment.
"The Brazilian people needed this, and so did the players. We knew how difficult it would be," said Cesar.
"I hope that our coming matches don't go to penalties, because otherwise our families will end up having heart problems."
Members of Colombia's national team(Back row L-R) Colombia's defender and captain Mario Alberto Yepes, Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina, Colombia's midfielder Abel Aguilar, Colombia's midfielder Carlos Sanchez, Colombia's forward Jackson Martinez and Colombia's defender Cristian Zapata (Front row L-R) Colombia's midfielder James Rodriguez, Colombia's midfielder Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Colombia's defender Juan Camilo Zuniga, Colombia's forward Teofilo Gutierrez and Colombia's defender Pablo Armero pose for the team photo prior to the Round of 16 football match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on June 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EITAN ABRAMOVICH
The Brazilians will now play Colombia in the quarter-finals in Fortaleza on Friday after 22-year-old Rodriguez served up a two-goal display in a 2-0 win over a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay at the Maracana. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186491/index.html)
Rodriguez produced a moment of genius after 28 minutes which is likely to be a strong contender for goal of the tournament.
Collecting the ball on his chest with his back to goal, the Monaco youngster swivelled and uncorked a dipping volley which flew in off the bar.
Colombia's midfielder James Rodriguez (L) shoots to score past Uruguay's defender Diego Godin (R) and Uruguay's midfielder Egidio Arevalo Rios (C). AFP PHOTO / FELIPE DANA/POOL
His second was a simple tap-in after Juan Cuadrado headed Pablo Armero's deep cross back into the danger zone.
The win puts Colombia into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time – and shot Rodriguez to the top of the tournament goalscoring charts with five goals from four games.
The build-up to the match had been dominated by the biting controversy surrounding Suarez which saw Uruguay's talisman sent home in disgrace and banned for four months.
Even though Suarez was back home in Uruguay, his team laid out his kit in the changing rooms at the Maracana.
Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez gestures at the end of the live broadcasting of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match Colombia vs Uruguay, at his house ein Lagomar, 18 km east of Montevideo . AFP PHOTO/ Pablo BIELLI
But Uruguay dearly missed his presence as they were dominated by the skilful Colombians, who have emerged as one of the most exciting teams in the tournament.
Sunday's second round matches see the Netherlands face Mexico in Fortaleza while Costa Rica face Greece in Recife.
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