Phew! Brazil breathes a sigh of relief as football team scrape through to next round of World Cup on penalties against Chile

• Brazil beat Chile 3-2 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals
• Enthralling all-South American affair went into extra-time after ending 1-1
• Chile's Gonzalo Jara hit the post with his spot-kick to send Brazil through
  
• David Luiz opened the scoring for tournament hosts Brazil in the first-half
• Alexis Sanchez equalised for Chile with a low shot in the first-half
• Brazil forward Hulk had a disallowed second-half goal for handball
• Mauricio Pinilla hit the bar late in extra-time for Chile
  

By ROB DRAPER & TED THORNHILL and PAUL DONNELLEY

Published: 15:59 EST, 28 June 2014 | Updated: 19:12 EST, 28 June 2014

Host nation Brazil narrowly scraped through to the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup in a nail-biting finish to this Group of 16 tie against Chile.

The world's number one-rated team played South American rivals Chile at Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte probably expecting a relatively easy win.

The Chileans had a different view and took the game to the hosts who are bidding to be world champions for the sixth time. It could easily happen, given the momentum that is gathering behind this team, but to outsiders, based on objective evidence they look anything but champions.

Still when Gonzalo Jara stepped up and struck his penalty against the post, an entire nation finally drew breath and erupted in celebrated.

VIDEO Scroll down Jhendelyn Núñez flashes her Chilean bra after Sanchez scores

Wild emotion: Brazil's players celebrate their dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout against Chile in the last 16

Conflicting emotions: David Luiz celebrates Brazil's win in front of a backdrop of a crestfallen Chile

Embrace: Brazil heroes Julio Cesar and David Luiz getting emotional in their celebrations

Dejection: Chilean players slump to the floor after their heartbreaking defeat

Emotive: A Chilean couple cry whilst Brazilian fans celebrate around them

Contrast: Chile players forlorn whilst Brazil's stars celebrate

Crucial moment: Gonzalo Jara (left) watches on as his penalty strikes the post and eliminates Chile

Distraught: Heartbroken Chile applaud their devastated fans inside the Estadio Mineirao after losing to Brazil

Safe hands: Julio Cesar saved two penalties for Brazil to help them reach the World Cup quarter-finals

Hero: Cesar (centre) was hoisted high by Brazil's players in amongst the wild celebrations in Belo Horizonte

In it to win it: Midfielder Paulinho (centre) rallies the Brazil squad before the shootout against Chile

Hopes of a nation: Brazil fans packed the Estadio Mineirao as the five-time World Cup winners took on Chile

The tension had been excruciating for players and fans up until that point in an almost-unbearable penalty shoot-out. Chile, who had until the penalties performed heroically, fell apart, scoring just two of their five with QPR reject Julio Cesar saving two.

But even Brazil struggled. Willian pulling one penalty lamely wide and Hulk allowing his to be saved Claudio Bravo.

To a nation and to Fifa’s relief, David Luiz and Marcelo proved true and then at the last it fell to Neymar. 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.

So amidst the celebrations, the performance could be forgotten. Timid and lacking in fluency, Brazil limped over the line.

Perhaps they will grow into a champion mentality with each hurdle they clear. 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.

In fact, they were lucky even to get to penalties. 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.

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.

The National Anthem increased the volume still further: even the mascots had their arms around each other and were bellowing it out.

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. 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.

Deadlock broken: David Luiz (centre) scored the opening goal for Brazil in their last 16 clash against Chile

Tears of joy: David Luiz is tearful after his opening goal for Brazil in their last 16 clash against Chile

Team spirit: Brazil's World Cup squad engage in a bundle in celebration of Luiz's goal in Belo Horizonte

Party pooper: Alexis Sanchez equalised for Chile in the first-half with a low shot into the Brazilian goal

Agonising: Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar can only look on as Sanchez's shot beats him at the Estadio Mineirao

Main man: Sanchez's goal was his second in the tournament in an impressive display by the forward

 

Huddle: Chile's World Cup squad celebrate Sanchez's goal against the tournament hosts

Before 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.

The Brazilians in turn countered that the Chileans were themselves putting Webb under pressure not to award them tight decisions.

And the Yorkshireman was soon put to the test, with Neymar playing in Hulk on 13 minutes.

The Brazilian forward, in the penalty area, raced towards goal but Mauricio Isla nicked the ball from between his legs.

Down went Hulk and the Mineirao Satdium roared in anctipation but Webb, correctly, waved away the appeals to howls of anguish.

They need not have protested quite so fervently. Within five minutes they were ahead from a bog-standard set piece.

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.

Luiz wasn’t waiting for a dubious goals’ panel to deliberate, racing away accepting the adoration of the crowd and team-mates. At that stage, it looked to be a long afternoon for the Chileans.

Talking point: Brazil had a goal disallowed by referee Howard Webb for Hulk's (left) handball

Fuming: Chile players protested against Hulk's goal to Webb (top right) who disallowed the strike

Hulk the sulk: The Brazil forward was in disbelief at the decision of his disallowed second-half goal

Fantastic three: Brazil fans soak up the atmosphere by dressing up as fictional characters Spiderman and Hulk

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. Equally, Chile have been one the joys of the tournament, playing some of the best football.

And with Brazil reverting to their tentative demeanour and Chile refusing to be cowed, a small earthquake occurred in Belo Horizonte: Chile scored. The manner of the goal amply demonstrated Brazil’s nerves.

A Marcelo throw-in was sloppily touched back to him by Hulk; Eduardo Vargas nipped in and played it first time to Alexis Sanchez. The Liverpool target simply took one touch to control and a second to score with a fine finish from inside the box. In small pockets of the stadium, small red corners erupted and embraced each other. Yet everywhere else there was a stunned sense of disbelief.

Brazil would respond. 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.

But Chile also threatened with Sanchez playing in Charles Aranguiz on half time, forcing Julio Cesar to make a smart save.

All smiles: Barcelona team-mates Neymar, Sanchez and Dani Alves (left-right) joke before the game

Beautiful scenes: Chile and Brazil fans illuminated the Estadio Minearao with their vibrant team colours

Strapped up: Gary Medel receives treatment for a muscle injury during half-time of extra-time on Saturday

Brazil attempted to regroup. Fernandinho, staring is first match at the tournament and replacing Tottenham’s Paulinho, sized up a shot on 48 minutes. It flew just wide and the Manchester City midfield winced, yet it steadied the crowd somewhat. Brazil, it seemed, would surely put this right.

Still greater excitement ensued on 51 minutes, when Hulk raced on to a long ball, took it down and touched it past Bravo.

Belo Horizonte rejoiced but they had reckoned without the prying eyes of assistant ref Michael Mullarkey, who judged that Hulk had controlled the ball with both his shoulder and arm.

Heart-stopping moment: Brazil's poster boy Neymar (centre) receives treatment as he struggles with fatigue

It was a tight decision, probably correct but predictably it had Luiz Felipe Scolari up off the bench and in a rage for much of the next five minutes.

The arrival of Jo brought an expression of fresh hope from the crowd that would bewilder Premier League audiences. And Chile it was who came closest to scoring on 65 minutes. Mauricio Isla played a great one-two with Arturo Vidal and then pulled the ball back for Aranguiz.

He struck with power from close range and if a nation could collectively gasp in premature horror, this was that moment. Only a superb reflex save from Julio Cesar prevented the national calamity.

Yet Chile were undeterred. Marcelo Diaz and Vidal in midfield were establishing a grip on the game and Sanchez was a lurking threat.

The Brazilians continued to chant and to sing but it was the football equivalent of whistling in the dark, for their team lacked the authority you might have expected.

As much was confirmed when Hulk delivered a perfect cross into the path of Jo, who, three yards out from goal and with just Bravo to beat, failed to make any contact with the ball.