Brazil secured a dramatic penalty shootout win against Chile to reach the last eight and set up an all-South American quarter-final against Colombia. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero, making two crucial spot-kick saves, to thwart a relentless Chile side who were denied victory themselves by the woodwork with seconds to spare in extra time. That the hosts came as close as they did to making an unexpected exit in Belo Horizonte had a nation of more than two hundred million people holding its breath. Cesar, who made just one appearance for Queens Park Strangers last season and went on loan to FC Toronto, redeemed an error he made which cost Brazil dear in the quarter-finals against The Netherlands in 2010. He saved from Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis Sanchez as Brazil went on to win a tense shootout three-two. Gonzalo Jara hit a post with the decisive spot-kick to prompt wild celebrations inside the Estadio Mineirao - and across the rest of the nation. David Luiz and Marcelo had converted their efforts for Brazil, but with Willian and Hulk missing theirs, it fell to the hosts' star striker Neymar to step up under intense pressure and calmly slot home what proved the winning kick. Luiz had earlier put the hosts in front, only for the hugely impressive Alexis Sanchez to equalise. Hulk then had a strike disallowed for handball by referee Howard Webb - fairly, as it turned out but, but much to the geet stroppy anger of the home fans. 
Pinilla also hit the crossbar for Chile in the final minute of extra time. A high-tempo and high-quality first half, was followed by a more sedate second period which always suggested extra time might follow. Brazil's fans roared with relief while Chile were defeated, yet with their reputation as one of the game's most dangerous sides significantly enhanced. Having never lost to La Roja on home soil and having beaten them on all three of their previous World Cup meetings, Brazil arrived with history on their side. Chile earned a two-two draw at the same venue last year but that was one of only two encounters in which they avoided defeat since last beating Brazil fourteen years ago. The noise in the stadium before before kick-off was astonishing, swathes of yellow dominating the pockets of red, and the atmosphere only intensified when Fernandinho went in late on Charles Aranguiz and the Chile midfielder and team-mate Gary Medel responded in kind by kicking Neymar up a height. After Webb turned down a penalty appeal at either end, Brazil soon took control and were rewarded for their pressure when Neymar's corner was flicked on by captain Thiago Silva and steered into the net by what appeared to be a combination of Luiz and Chile defender Jara. Brazil's main threat was once again Neymar, the twenty two-year-old dragging a shot wide after racing towards goal and then being sent flying by Arturo Vidal's reckless challenge. Luiz Felipe Scolari had warned his side they could not afford to make any mistakes in the knockout stage and he would have been furious with the way Chile were allowed back into contention. Hulk's poor control from Marcelo's throw-in gifted possession to Eduardo Vargas and he quickly found Sanchez in the penalty area to drill a low finish across Cesar. Brazil worked hard to regain the lead but the half ended with the hosts frantically scrambling to deny Aranguiz after carelessness from Luiz Gustavo. The second half felt comparatively subdued compared to the frantic pace of the first until Webb's big call arrived, with Hulk judged to have controlled a pass with his arm before beating Bravo. It was a tough and unpopular decision but seemed, on the basis of television replays, to be the correct one. It must also have severely pissed-off Guy Mowbray commentating for the BBC who had, clearly, waited all tournament to have the opportunity to say 'Hulk! Incredible!' only to then see the goal disallowed. Don't get him angry, Mister Mowbray. You wouldn't like him when he's angry. 
A period of Chile pressure ensued as Cesar superbly denied Aranguiz from close range. Former Sheikh Yer Man City striker Jo replaced the once again ineffectual Fred and might have made a quick impact, but failed to connect with Hulk's cross. Bravo did well to repel a Neymar header and Hulk's powerful, ahem, smash, before again thwarting the much-improved Hulk in the first period of extra time. Scolari played his final card by introducing Moscow Chelski's Willian for a disappointing Oscar, but the weary Chileans - for whom the excellent Medel was carried off on a stretcher in tears - switched from an aggressive three-one-four-two formation to a defensive five-one-three-one and appeared intent on holding on for penalties. They could, however, have snatched the most incredible of winners when substitute Pinilla rattled the bar powerfully in the final minute. Penalties would be needed and Brazil held their nerve to make the last eight as Chile's arse fell out at and their bottle went at the most unfortunate of times.
But as one South American surprise package left the tournament they had so lit up, another just kept on going. James Rodriguez confirmed his status as the World Cup's newest star with a virtuoso display as Colombia took advantage of mad bitey Luis Suarez's absence to beat a poor Uruguay in Rio. As the controversial Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws striker watched back in Uruguay after being banned for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, twenty two-year-old Rodriguez elevated his name alongside Brazil hero Neymar and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi. Suarez had been crucial to Uruguay's progress to the last sixteen but Oscar Tabarez's side were struggling against the odds once FIFA imposed a nine-match international ban and four-month suspension from all football-related activity on their star striker.
If one superstar had left the stage, another has emerged as Monaco's Rodriguez volleyed arguably the goal of the tournament in the first half then crowned a superb team move for the second. In the absence of the injured Radamel Falcao, Rodriguez has become Colombia's new pin-up and is making his mark on the global stage as the tournament's current top-scorer with five goals. His side will now meet hosts Brazil in the quarter-final in Fortaleza on Friday - and have shown they have the capacity to wreck the hopes of the host nation. He may not have been inside the Maracana but Suarez was here in spirit as Uruguay fans showed their solidarity with the shamed striker, sporting masks, brandishing flags of support and ensuring the game kicked off to the sound of his name. But, for all Tabarez's bold talk of using a perceived injustice to inspire his team, they simply never coped without Suarez's brilliance and Colombia's victory was thoroughly merited. 
After the heat of the off-field debate, the game itself was actually threatening an anti-climax until the magical intervention of Rodriguez before the half-hour delivered yet another moment to illuminate this World Cup. Rodriguez was aware enough to glance over his shoulder and check his own position and that of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera before cushioning a header on his chest and striking a stunning twenty five-yard left-foot volley in off the bar. It was the most perfect combination of technique and talent, drawing gasps from around the iconic stadium when it was replayed on the four giant screens that hang from the roof of the vast bowl. If his first goal was a testimony to his individual ability, the second five minutes after half-time was an illustration of Colombia's combination of talent and teamwork. After a period of possession, Pablo Armero's cross found Juan Cuadrado, who showed great athleticism to guide his header into the path of Rodriguez, who made no mistake from eight yards. Uruguay responded but their World Cup was over - although Maximiliano Pereira and Edinson Cavani forced fine saves from Colombia keeper David Ospina. Rodriguez was removed in the closing minutes to conserve energy for the meeting with Brazil. He will pose a serious threat to Luiz Felipe Scolari's side - as will a highly impressive Colombia.
Pinilla also hit the crossbar for Chile in the final minute of extra time. A high-tempo and high-quality first half, was followed by a more sedate second period which always suggested extra time might follow. Brazil's fans roared with relief while Chile were defeated, yet with their reputation as one of the game's most dangerous sides significantly enhanced. Having never lost to La Roja on home soil and having beaten them on all three of their previous World Cup meetings, Brazil arrived with history on their side. Chile earned a two-two draw at the same venue last year but that was one of only two encounters in which they avoided defeat since last beating Brazil fourteen years ago. The noise in the stadium before before kick-off was astonishing, swathes of yellow dominating the pockets of red, and the atmosphere only intensified when Fernandinho went in late on Charles Aranguiz and the Chile midfielder and team-mate Gary Medel responded in kind by kicking Neymar up a height. After Webb turned down a penalty appeal at either end, Brazil soon took control and were rewarded for their pressure when Neymar's corner was flicked on by captain Thiago Silva and steered into the net by what appeared to be a combination of Luiz and Chile defender Jara. Brazil's main threat was once again Neymar, the twenty two-year-old dragging a shot wide after racing towards goal and then being sent flying by Arturo Vidal's reckless challenge. Luiz Felipe Scolari had warned his side they could not afford to make any mistakes in the knockout stage and he would have been furious with the way Chile were allowed back into contention. Hulk's poor control from Marcelo's throw-in gifted possession to Eduardo Vargas and he quickly found Sanchez in the penalty area to drill a low finish across Cesar. Brazil worked hard to regain the lead but the half ended with the hosts frantically scrambling to deny Aranguiz after carelessness from Luiz Gustavo. The second half felt comparatively subdued compared to the frantic pace of the first until Webb's big call arrived, with Hulk judged to have controlled a pass with his arm before beating Bravo. It was a tough and unpopular decision but seemed, on the basis of television replays, to be the correct one. It must also have severely pissed-off Guy Mowbray commentating for the BBC who had, clearly, waited all tournament to have the opportunity to say 'Hulk! Incredible!' only to then see the goal disallowed. Don't get him angry, Mister Mowbray. You wouldn't like him when he's angry. 
A period of Chile pressure ensued as Cesar superbly denied Aranguiz from close range. Former Sheikh Yer Man City striker Jo replaced the once again ineffectual Fred and might have made a quick impact, but failed to connect with Hulk's cross. Bravo did well to repel a Neymar header and Hulk's powerful, ahem, smash, before again thwarting the much-improved Hulk in the first period of extra time. Scolari played his final card by introducing Moscow Chelski's Willian for a disappointing Oscar, but the weary Chileans - for whom the excellent Medel was carried off on a stretcher in tears - switched from an aggressive three-one-four-two formation to a defensive five-one-three-one and appeared intent on holding on for penalties. They could, however, have snatched the most incredible of winners when substitute Pinilla rattled the bar powerfully in the final minute. Penalties would be needed and Brazil held their nerve to make the last eight as Chile's arse fell out at and their bottle went at the most unfortunate of times. But as one South American surprise package left the tournament they had so lit up, another just kept on going. James Rodriguez confirmed his status as the World Cup's newest star with a virtuoso display as Colombia took advantage of mad bitey Luis Suarez's absence to beat a poor Uruguay in Rio. As the controversial Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws striker watched back in Uruguay after being banned for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, twenty two-year-old Rodriguez elevated his name alongside Brazil hero Neymar and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi. Suarez had been crucial to Uruguay's progress to the last sixteen but Oscar Tabarez's side were struggling against the odds once FIFA imposed a nine-match international ban and four-month suspension from all football-related activity on their star striker.
If one superstar had left the stage, another has emerged as Monaco's Rodriguez volleyed arguably the goal of the tournament in the first half then crowned a superb team move for the second. In the absence of the injured Radamel Falcao, Rodriguez has become Colombia's new pin-up and is making his mark on the global stage as the tournament's current top-scorer with five goals. His side will now meet hosts Brazil in the quarter-final in Fortaleza on Friday - and have shown they have the capacity to wreck the hopes of the host nation. He may not have been inside the Maracana but Suarez was here in spirit as Uruguay fans showed their solidarity with the shamed striker, sporting masks, brandishing flags of support and ensuring the game kicked off to the sound of his name. But, for all Tabarez's bold talk of using a perceived injustice to inspire his team, they simply never coped without Suarez's brilliance and Colombia's victory was thoroughly merited. 
After the heat of the off-field debate, the game itself was actually threatening an anti-climax until the magical intervention of Rodriguez before the half-hour delivered yet another moment to illuminate this World Cup. Rodriguez was aware enough to glance over his shoulder and check his own position and that of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera before cushioning a header on his chest and striking a stunning twenty five-yard left-foot volley in off the bar. It was the most perfect combination of technique and talent, drawing gasps from around the iconic stadium when it was replayed on the four giant screens that hang from the roof of the vast bowl. If his first goal was a testimony to his individual ability, the second five minutes after half-time was an illustration of Colombia's combination of talent and teamwork. After a period of possession, Pablo Armero's cross found Juan Cuadrado, who showed great athleticism to guide his header into the path of Rodriguez, who made no mistake from eight yards. Uruguay responded but their World Cup was over - although Maximiliano Pereira and Edinson Cavani forced fine saves from Colombia keeper David Ospina. Rodriguez was removed in the closing minutes to conserve energy for the meeting with Brazil. He will pose a serious threat to Luiz Felipe Scolari's side - as will a highly impressive Colombia. 
