Relieved Willian owes QPR outcast Julio Cesar a drink or two tonight after the goalkeeper’s penalty shootout heroics meant the Chelsea winger’s missed spot-kick proved irrelevant as Brazil scraped through to the World Cup quarter-finals.
There was nothing to separate the hosts and Chile in this pulsating last 16 clash as former Blues favourite David Luiz bundled home an early opener and Alexis Sanchez’s fine finish forced extra-time.
Chile substitute Mauricio Pinilla rattled the crossbar in the additional 30 minutes but neither side was able to find a winner and it went the full distance as the lottery of penalties was needed to settle things.
Willian was the first to miss for Brazil, although former Blues transfer target Hulk soon followed, and the wild-haired midfielder looked on distraught from the centre-circle as the weight of a nation weighed heavy on his shoulders.
Cesar, who spent the second-half of last term on loan at Toronto FC after falling behind Rob Green in the QPR pecking order, showed Harry Redknapp exactly what he is capable of by saving Chile’s first two penalties and watching the fifth crash against the post.
Brazil’s players rushed over to their hero amid wild scenes in Belo Horizonte. Luiz Felipe Scolari, who never cut it during his time as manager at Stamford Bridge, embraced his victorious players and will now prepare them for the quarter-finals on Friday.
Ramires was a late substitute, replacing his Chelsea team-mate Oscar, with both coming through the game unscathed to remain fit for the next match.
