#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Brazil Win Chile 3 - 2 On Penalties

Hosts Brazil have progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup by edging out Chile in an enthralling penalty shootout at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

Brazil players celebrate their penalty shootout victory over Chile in the World Cup round of 16 in Belo Horizonte on June 28, 2014

After a feisty start to the game, early efforts from Marcelo and Marcelo Diaz at either end flew wide before Brazil appealed wildly for a penalty in the 13th minute.

Hulk tumbled under the challenge of Mauricio Isla, but English referee Howard Webb didn't feel that there was enough contact to warrant the fall.

Brazil took the lead in the 18th minute when Neymar's corner was flicked goalwards by Thiago Silva and bundled home at the back post by centre-back partner David Luiz - his first goal for his country.

Replays indicated that it may have been an own goal by Gonzalo Jara, but Luiz was credited with the goal as it was unclear who diverted the ball into the net.

The men in yellow were only ahead for a quarter of an hour before Alexis Sanchez levelled the scores with his second goal of the tournament.

Hulk gave away possession cheaply in the corner and Sanchez was found by Eduardo Vargas before coolly rolling the ball past Julio Cesar into the corner.

Brazil had several chances to go back in front before half time, but Neymar headed wide, Fred shot over and Dani Alves was denied by an acrobatic Claudio Bravo save.

Ten minutes after the break Hulk thought that he had restored Brazil's lead, but his finish was ruled out as he appeared to control the ball with his right bicep before finding the bottom corner.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Brazil Vs Chile

Brazil will be hoping to reach the quarter-finals at their home World Cup when they take on Chile in Belo Horizonte on Saturday.

The host nation came through Group A unbeaten, although were held to a draw by Mexico, and have no players suspended for the knockout stage.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has reported no new injuries for the round of 16, but has insisted that the side will have to improve to beat their South American rivals.

Brazil currently boast the tournament's joint top scorer, with Neymar having found the back of the net four times so far, leaving him level with Argentina's Lionel Messi.

Meanwhile, Chile proved the surprise package in Group B, progressing as runners-up behind the Netherlands in place of defending champions Spain, who finished third.

Like their opponents, Chile kept a clean disciplinary record during their group games to ensure that they have the full squad available to face Brazil.

No leading goalscorer has emerged for Chile yet, with Jean Beausejour, Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Valdivia among those on the scoresheet so far.

Recent form

Brazil: WWWWDW

Chile: LWWWWL

Possible starting lineups

Brazil: Cesar, Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, Ramires, Gustavo, Oscar, Fred, Neymar

Chile: Bravo, Jara, Silva, Medel, Mena, Aranguiz, Diaz, Isla, Vidal, Vargas, Sanchez

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Netherlands 2 - 0 Chile

The Netherlands have finished top of World Cup Group B thanks to a 2-0 win over Chile in Sao Paulo.

The two sides failed to threaten during the opening stages as Chile stifled the attacking prowess of the Dutch.

However, the South Americans almost took the lead with 20 minutes played as Felipe Gutierrez fired high over the crossbar from the edge of the box following a clever corner routine.

The Netherlands were up the other end moments later, but Georginio Wijnaldum screwed his shot wide when he had plenty of time and space to do better.

Louis van Gaal's side had an opening again soon after as they began to take control of the contest, though Wesley Sneijder could only hit his free kick straight at the goalkeeper.

The Chileans were calling for a penalty on 30 minutes when Eduardo Vargas was brought down by Daley Blind, but the referee correctly waved away the appeals.

The Netherlands continued to show more attacking intent, and they were inches away from taking the lead late on in the half as Arjen Robben shot narrowly wide following a trademark run through Chile's defence.

Chile created the first meaningful opportunity of the second period when Sanchez blasted the ball over from 25 yards.

However, both sides continued to struggle in front of goal during what remained a cagey encounter between two physical nations.

Substitute Memphis Depay had a powerful drive tipped over with 25 minutes left before the Dutch finally opened the scoring when a corner was headed in by Leroy Fer, who had only been introduced off the bench moments earlier.

Chile pushed hard for an equaliser as Marcelo Diaz and Sanchez both threatened, but they were unable to breach the Netherlands's solid defence.

Instead, the 2010 finalists sealed the win in added time through Depay, who tapped in from close range following a cross from Robben.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Netherlands Vs Chile

When the World Cup group draws were made back in December, it was assumed that one of the Netherlands and Chile would not make the last 16.

After all, with defending champions and two-time European Championship winners Spain also in the group, many felt that this encounter in Sao Paulo would be a battle for second place. However, both have defeated the Spanish and also disposed of Australia, leaving them locked on six points apiece.

Consequently, this has turned into a contest that will decide which side tops the group heading into the knockout phase.

Following their 5-1 win over Spain, goal difference favours the Dutch, which means that Chile can only advance through as group winners if they win the match.

The South Americans will be boosted by the knowledge that Holland will be without captain Robin van Persie, who is suspended after his two cautions. In his place, it's expected that reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Memphis Depay will lead the Dutch attack.

Defender Bruno Martins Indi is also a doubt because of the slight concussion that he suffered last time out against the Australians.

Meanwhile, Chile head coach Jorge Sampaoli may be forced into changing his starting lineup due to a knee injury picked up by Charles Aranguiz, although the midfielder has been tipped to recover.

Recent form

Netherlands: LDWWWW

Chile: WLWWWW

Possible starting lineups
Netherlands: Cillessen; Janmaat, Vlaar, De Vrij, Verhaegh, Blind; De Guzman, De Jong, Sneijder; Robben, Depay

Chile: Bravo; Jara, Silva, Medel; Mena, Aranguiz, Diaz, Isla, Vidal; Vargas, Sanchez

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Spain 0 - 2 Chile

Spain have been knocked out of the World Cup tonight as Chile beat the title holders 2-0 at the Maracana to book their place in the last-16 stage with a game to spare.

The Netherlands' 3-2 win over Australia earlier today ensured that the 2010 winners needed to avoid defeat in order to keep alive their hopes of moving into the second round.

However, first-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz proved enough for the South Americans to claim their place in the latter stages and consign La Roja to a short-lived defence of their world title in the process.

Vicente del Bosque's side endured a nervy start to the encounter and almost went behind twice in the opening two minutes, as Vargas saw his effort deflected narrowly wide before Gonzalo Jara went close from the resulting corner.

Xabi Alonso should have fired the Spaniards ahead on 17 minutes but shot straight at goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, while Diego Costa also went close.

Both chances would become moments of significance just minutes later as Vargas fired Chile ahead by producing a tidy first touch to control Aranquiz's low cross before poking past Iker Casillas.

It went from bad to worse for Spain shortly before the break, as Casillas fumbled Alexis Sanchez's free kick and Aranguiz was on hand to convert the rebound to give their European counterparts an uphill task.

It became clear that it was not going to be Spain's night early in the second half, as Sergio Busquets, with the goal at his mercy, put a David Silva cross wide of the mark.

Nevertheless, the defending champions continued to pour forward in their bid to reduce the arrears, and second-half substitute Santi Cazorla twice went close to halving the deficit, only to be denied by Bravo twice.

Chile's defence held strong in the final minutes to close out their victory and ensure that Del Bosque's men would not be back at the Maracana on July 13 to contest the final.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Spain Vs Chile

Holders Spain face a crucial encounter at the World Cup on Wednesday when they meet Group B rivals Chile in Rio de Janeiro.

The Spaniards saw the defence of their crown get off to a disastrous start last week as they were dismantled 5-1 by the Netherlands.

While a draw with Chile would keep their hopes of reaching the second round alive, Vicente del Bosque's team ideally need a victory to kickstart their campaign.

However, they are up against a Chilean side that is full of confidence following a 3-1 win in their opening match of the tournament against Australia.

The South Americans head into the clash with Spain knowing that a victory would all but secure them a place in round two.

Spain captain Iker Casillas's place in the side has been in doubt after his disappointing display versus the Dutch, but the shot-stopper is likely to keep his spot after David de Gea suffered a hip injury in training.

The world champions have no other fitness concerns, but Del Bosque has suggested that he could make multiple changes to his starting XI.

Chile are expected to name the same team that saw off the Aussies, with Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez leading their attack.

Recent form

Spain: WLWWWL

Chile: LWLWWW

Possible starting lineups

Spain: Casillas; Azpilicueta, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi; Silva, Torres, Iniesta

Chile: Bravo; Isla, Mena, Diaz; Medel, Jara, Aranguiz, Vidal, Vargas; Sanchez, Valdivia

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Chile 3 - 1 Australia

Chile have defeated Australia 3-1 at the Arena Pantanal to get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start.

It took just 11 minutes for the South American side to get their tournament up and running courtesy of Alexis Sanchez's goal from close range following an Eduardo Vargas knock down.
Two minutes later La Roja doubled their lead when Vargas's run across the box left Jorge Valdivia in space to place the ball into the top left corner of the net.

It looked as though Australia were going to be in for a long night, but striker Tim Cahill reduced the deficit on the 35-minute mark when he outjumped Gary Medel to make it 2-1.

Cahill very nearly found the net once more before the interval when Mathew Leckie prodded a ball through to him, but his angled drive was well kept out by Claudio Bravo.
Shortly after the restart the former Everton man thought he had drawn his side level, only for his header to be correctly ruled out for offside.

Bravo was called into action once more just short of the hour-mark to keep out Mark Bresciano, who steered a left-footed strike towards to bottom corner of the net which had to be kept out.

Moments later Chile hit back when Sanchez threaded a pass behind the Australian defence for Vargas to latch onto, and the forward lifted the ball over Matthew Ryan, only for Alex Wilkinson to clear off the line.

The Socceroos pushed for a leveller, but they were left exposed allowing Jean Beausejour to round off the scoring at the death with a strike from 20 yards to seal the three points.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Chile Vs Australia

Chile and Australia clash in Group B on Friday with both teams really needing a win if they are to have anything to play for against Spain and the Netherlands later on.

Chile may well fancy their chances in the group, especially if the Netherlands' defence starts to look shaky, so they will be doing everything they can to take maximum points from their opening game here.

They have been on decent goalscoring form in their two warm-up games against, the admittedly weaker, Egypt and Northern Ireland, and they will take encouragement from that particularly against Australia.

The Socceroos have struggled in their warm-up games, although they have played teams of a decent enough standard. A draw with South Africa and defeat to Croatia is not ideal, and they will need to do better going forward in particular.

Arturo Vidal, one of the key men in the Chile midfield, could miss the clash with inflammation on the knee but Australia could be boosted by the fitness of midfielder Mark Bresciano, who could well start.

Recent form

Chile: LWLWW

Australia: WWLDL

Possible starting lineups

Chile: Bravo; Medel, Jara, Albornoz; Isla, Diaz, Gutierrez, Beausejour; Aranguiz, Sanchez, Vargas

Australia: Ryan; Franjic, Spiranovic, Wilkinson, Davidson; Milligan, Jedinak, Bresciano; Leckie, Cahill, Oar

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