Heart-stopping moment: Brazil's poster boy Neymar (centre) receives treatment as he struggles with fatigue Fred should have done better from close range when Isla did enough to encourage him to blaze a shot over rather than direct it goal-wards from close range Dani Alves had an excellent strike well saved by Claudio Bravo and Neymar clearly had the measure of Francisco Silva and Gary Medel, frequently out-running them.īut Chile also threatened with Sanchez playing in Charles Aranguiz on half time, forcing Julio Cesar to make a smart save. Yet everywhere else there was a stunned sense of disbelief.īrazil would respond. In small pockets of the stadium, small red corners erupted and embraced each other. The Liverpool target simply took one touch to control and a second to score with a fine finish from inside the box. The manner of the goal amply demonstrated Brazil’s nerves.Ī Marcelo throw-in was sloppily touched back to him by Hulk Eduardo Vargas nipped in and played it first time to Alexis Sanchez.
Equally, Chile have been one the joys of the tournament, playing some of the best football.Īnd with Brazil reverting to their tentative demeanour and Chile refusing to be cowed, a small earthquake occurred in Belo Horizonte: Chile scored. Yet Brazil have been a strange mixture at this World Cup at times they play with real verve and incision but they can also look an anxious group of young men, unsure whether they can bear the weight of expectation. At that stage, it looked to be a long afternoon for the Chileans.įantastic three: Brazil fans soak up the atmosphere by dressing up as fictional characters Spiderman and Hulk Luiz wasn’t waiting for a dubious goals’ panel to deliberate, racing away accepting the adoration of the crowd and team-mates. Neymar drilled in a corner, Thiago Silva angled the flick on to the far post and though David Luiz was there to direct it home, it was actually the out-stretched leg of Eugenio Jara who diverted it into the net. Within five minutes they were ahead from a bog-standard set piece. They need not have protested quite so fervently. The Brazilian forward, in the penalty area, raced towards goal but Mauricio Isla nicked the ball from between his legs.ĭown went Hulk and the Mineirao Satdium roared in anctipation but Webb, correctly, waved away the appeals to howls of anguish. The Brazilians in turn countered that the Chileans were themselves putting Webb under pressure not to award them tight decisions.Īnd the Yorkshireman was soon put to the test, with Neymar playing in Hulk on 13 minutes.
Subs: Toselli, Albornoz, Carmona, Pinilla, Valdivia, Rojas, Orellana, Beausejour, Gutierrez, Fuenzalida,īefore the match, the most-heated discussions had surrounded the anticipated performance of Howard Webb, the Chileans fearing that referees here are under pressure to favour Brazil. Subs: Jefferson, Paulinho, Dante, Maxwell, Henrique, Ramires, Hernanes, Willian, Bernard, Jo, Maicon, Victor.Ĭhile: Bravo, Mena, Isla, Silva, Alexis, Vidal, Vargas, Medel, Jara, Aranguiz, Diaz. On a darker note, parts of the Chilean national anthem were obscured by a din of whistles: it’s not all Carnival and sunshine in Brazil.īrazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Gustavo, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar, Fred. On this occasion the players managed to repress their tears that have characterised previous games and led to fears that the occasion was overwhelming them. The National Anthem increased the volume still further: even the mascots had their arms around each other and were bellowing it out. That overpowering sense of expectation for a sixth world title mixed with a fevered outbreak of nationalism created an extraordinary entrance for the Brazil team with the stadium fairly shook as the din engulfed it throughout the spectacle. In the last minute of extra time, Maurico Pinilla exchanged passes with Alexis Sanchez and fairly thumped the ball of the cross bar, as Brazilians looked on aghast and bewildered. In fact, they were lucky even to get to penalties.
Yesterday they created more chances than Chile but for long periods were out-thought tactically by a delightfully composed Chilean side, directed by Jorge Sampaoli. Perhaps they will grow into a champion mentality with each hurdle they clear. Timid and lacking in fluency, Brazil limped over the line. So amidst the celebrations, the performance could be forgotten. The burden seemed too much as he jinxed and hesitated in his run up - but then pulled the ball calmly to the right of Bravo to score what would turn out to be the winning penalty. To a nation and to Fifa’s relief, David Luiz and Marcelo proved true and then at the last it fell to Neymar. Willian pulling one penalty lamely wide and Hulk allowing his to be saved Claudio Bravo.
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