FIFA World Cup 2014, Round of 16: Brazil vs Chile

A gripping Round of 16 tie saw Brazil beat Chile 3-2 on penalties after it finished 1-1 after Extra time. A goal from David Luiz inside the opening 20 minutes gave the hosts the lead, which they relenquished barely 15 minutes thanks to a mistake by Hulk who gifted the ball to Chile. Although the scoring ended there, the drama certainly didn't as Brazil squandered an easy chase to win the shootout before Jara missed his final kick earning Brazil a win that saw them go through to the quarter-final to be played at Fortaleza on Friday

#1 A match high on emotion, drama and entertainment

With some much at stake, this battle between two South American teams was always going to a tight affair. For all of Brazil’s frailties at the back and Chile’s threat going forward, this was never going to be a game full of goals. Instead, it promised to be a game full of drama, excitement, agony and emotion, all of which this clash had in equal measure. In the opening half hour, with all the tackles flying it looked like this was going to turn into a battle of who wants it more.

The game started at such a high tempo that is was very unlikely that it was going to stay that way till the end of the game. But after Chile took control of possession, the number of fouls slowly came down. But the drama and excitement certainly didn’t. Whether it was Fred’s continued abject performances in front of goal, Sanchez running rings around the Brazilian defenders, calls for penalties, disallowed goals, yellow cards not given, Brazil’s unwillingness to attack, there was certainly plenty to talk about the game. It was a game that started at such a frenetic pace, but slowly started to frizzle down in extra-time before again coming back to life in the penalty shootout. Engaging? Yes. Fantastic football? No.

#2 Brazil hold their nerve when it matters most

After the starting the game like a house on fire, Brazil lost their way in normal time. Not only did they concede an equaliser less than 15 minutes later, they also looked like a side who were shell-shocked by Chile’s all-action style. Perhaps it was the sheer weight of expectation on the players, the fact that the team isn’t really all that great, or simple big-match nerves, the hosts didn’t at all comfortable on the ball throughout the game.

Not only were the defenders committing some simple schoolboy errors, up front, they didn’t have the same swagger about their play, like the Brazilian teams of yore. But, when it mattered the most, in the penalty shootout the Brazilians managed to hold their nerve and take their place in the quarter-final. This belief, coupled with the undying support from their fans might just help Brazil claim their sixth World Cup, even if they don’t have a team that can hold a handle to the previous World Cup winning sides.

#3 Chile take control of the game after slow start

Whether it was the result of atmosphere inside the stadium, or the players wanting to put on a show for the fans, Brazil started the game in sublime fashion. In the opening 20 minutes, they were without doubt in complete control of the proceedings and even took the lead through David Luiz. But as the game went, they slowly lost control and it was Chile, who were in the end disappointed to be going out of the tournament.

Although it was a mistake from Brazil that led to Chile’s equaliser, it all came about thanks to Chile’s pressing high up the pitch. Alexis Sanchez scored the goal that set the tone for the rest of the game. As the game wore on, Chile looked the more calm and composed side and restricted Brazil to very few clear cut chances. It was only in the second half of extra-time, when fatigue got the better of some of them, did they even look a little flustered. In the dying moments, Chile even struck the bar and were unlucky to go into a shootout which they eventually lost.

#4 Defensive failings almost cost Brazil yet again

Before the start of the World Cup, there were plenty of people who had their doubts about Brazil’s defence. Against Chile, the Selecao showed just why all those people were right. Although Brazil sailed through the group stage without too many difficulties, at the first sign of trouble, their defence started to part like the Red Sea. For all of his good work going forward, David Luiz was a ticking time bomb in defence and both Marcelo and Dani Alves were often too far forward to be of much use in defence.

As good as Thiago Silva was, a lack of positional discipline shown by the rest of his defenders meant that far too often, he was left alone to deal with the Chilean threat. What was even more worrying was that Brazil were at their most vulnerable, when they had the ball in defence. Chile’s high pressing game coupled with some Brazilian nerves made for some uncomfortable viewing as far as the hosts were concerned.

#5 Howard Webb keeps his cool in a tense encounter

In a match of such high magnitude, with so much riding on the outcome, there was a need for a referee who wouldn’t be swayed by public opinion and make the right call on the pitch. Barring the decision to disallow Hulk’s goal and book him for a hand ball, Howard Webb certainly made the right calls on the pitch. The truth might not always be a popular option especially about 50,000 people want the hosts to win at all costs, but Webb was spot on right throughout.

While some of his decisions were no doubt unpopular with the fans, they were certainly the right ones. Webb let the game flow when it needed to, booked players only when it was absolutely necessary and ensured that he didn’t flash a card, every time a strong challenge came in. The Englishman was also clever enough to look out for possible dives and barely put a foot wrong in this tense encounter. For all of his good work throughout the game, had Brazil failed to win, all fingers would have been pointed at him for Hulk’s disallowed goal, which, on first viewing looked like a clear hand ball. Even now, Webb might not be in the good books of Brazilians, but he can certainly take heart from his strong performance.