{"id":28220,"date":"2014-06-28T20:11:53","date_gmt":"2014-06-28T20:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=28220"},"modified":"2014-06-28T20:12:43","modified_gmt":"2014-06-28T20:12:43","slug":"brazil-beat-chile-on-penalties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2014\/06\/brazil-beat-chile-on-penalties\/","title":{"rendered":"Brazil beat Chile on penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"
Brazil secured a dramatic shootout victory over Chile to reach the quarter-finals and keep alive their dream of winning the World Cup on home soil.<\/p>\n
QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar saved from Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis Sanchez before Gonzalo Jara hit a post with the decisive spot-kick to cue wild celebrations inside Estadio Mineirao.<\/p>\n
David Luiz and Marcelo had converted their efforts for Brazil, but with Willian and Hulk missing, it fell to the hosts’ star striker Neymar to step up under intense pressure and nervelessly slot what proved the winning kick.<\/p>\n
Luiz had earlier put the hosts in front, only for Alexis Sanchez to equalise. Hulk then had a strike controversially disallowed for handball, while Pinilla hit the crossbar for Chile in the final minute of extra time.<\/p>\n
It was a match of variable quality but no little drama, and one that left players, staff and supporters of both teams in tears.<\/p>\n
Cesar – who joined Toronto FC on loan in January and has barely played in the past year – ended an unlikely hero, redeemed after his mistake cost Brazil in the quarter-finals four years ago.<\/p>\n
Brazil go on to face Colombia or Uruguay in Fortaleza on Friday; Chile go home but with their reputation as one of the game’s most dangerous sides significantly enhanced.<\/p>\n
Having never lost to La Roja on home soil and won all three of their previous World Cup meetings, Brazil arrived with history on their side.<\/p>\n