On day 17…
THE KNOCKOUT STAGES kicked off with two South American derbies as Brazil faced Chile in Belo Horizonte while Colombia and Uruguay clashed at Rio’s Maracanã.
And it was five-time winners Brazil who became the first team into the quarter-finals after a hugely entertaining 120 minutes, which ended in 3-2 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The tournament hosts went in front on 18 minutes when a Neymar corner was flicked on by Thiago Silva and David Luiz and Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara both contested the ball before it ended up in the back of the net. While replays seemed to show an own-goal, FIFA rewarded it to Paris Saint-Germain-bound Luiz.
La Roja hit back just after the half-hour mark when poor defending from Brazil gifted Alexis Sanchez an opportunity and the Barcelona man beat Julion Cesar.
In the second half, referee Howard Webb was spot on to rule Hulk’s goal out for handball despite manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s protestations and the match finished all-square.
Willian and Hulk missed their spot-kicks in the shootout but Brazil earned victory when Jara’s attempt struck the post — which brought Neymar to tears.
In the late fixture, Group C winners took on the runners-up of Group D Uruguay — who were without their suspended talisman Luis Suarez.
There was little between the teams in the first half but a moment of sheer class from their star man James Rodriguez saw Jose Pekerman’s side go into the break with a one-goal advantage.
Five minutes after the restart, the Monaco schemer struck again, this time with his right foot, to help Los Cafeteros progress to the quarter-final for the very first time in their history.
They will meet Brazil in the last eight on Friday.
Winner - James Rodriguez
What a tournament it has been for 22-year-old James Rodriguez. The Colombian schemer was tipped as one to watch coming into the tournament but even he couldn’t have imagined the past two weeks going as perfectly as this.
The current top scorer on five goals after his brace last night, he will go down in history regardless of what else happens thanks to this spectacular volley. Surely a Goal of the Tournament contender:
https://vine.co/v/MFOO0lOrMVO
Loser – Gonzalo Jara
Not only was he unfortunate enough to be involved in Brazil’s goal, the former Nottingham Forest defender smashed his decisive penalty off the upright to hand Chile’s opponents victory.
Joga Bonito
They eventually lost out but how about this for Charles Aranguiz’s spot. Cool-as-you-like to fire home into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
https://vine.co/v/MFMd7j7ULET
What we’ve got to look forward to today
Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, Group A winners ahead of Chile, Spain and Australia, are pitted against a Mexican outfit full of energy inFortaleza. That one kicks off at 5pm.
Tomorrow night, it’s one of the real surprise packages Costa Rica taking on an unfancied Greece team (9pm) who have shown they can dig in to ground out results.
