In a game dripping with tension to the very last kick, Brazil held its nerve to beat Chile on penalties on Saturday and advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Gonzalo Jara, the Chilean defender, missed the decisive kick, smacking his effort against the post after Neymar had given Brazil the advantage in the fifth round of penalties.
It was a pitilessly cruel way to decide a match that had pulsated with pace, technique and excitement for an hour, before fatigue began to take its toll on both sides.
Luiz was credited with the opening goal after Thiago Silva had flicked on Neymar's corner in the 18th minute. There was some debate over whether Jara had actually got the final touch, though the important fact was that the ball was in the back of the net.
Chile struck back when Hulk lost possession in defense for Brazil. The ball was worked to Alexis Sanchez, who calmly stroked a precise finish low into the bottom corner in the 32nd.
Hulk had a goal chalked off for controlling the ball with his hand in the second half, and that was the closest either team came until the final minute of extra time when Chile came within inches of dumping Brazil out of its own cup as the substitute Mauricio Pinilla smashed a shot against the crossbar.
Brazil breathed again, and as hearts raced and limbs trembled in the penalty shootout, first Neymar showed his composure to score Brazil’s fifth kick, then Jara missed to put the host through
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