Rio de Janeiro: Brazil will miss the chants of chi, chi, chi, le, le, le, chile and the exuberant fans of Jorge Sampaoli’s gifted young team in the quarterfinals. Chile went out of the tournament after putting the fear of God in the minds of Brazil. Only the width of the woodwork prevented them from upsetting the five-time champions.
Had Mauricio Pinilla’s powerful drive not crashed into the bar in the dying minutes of regulation time, Brazil would now be mourning yet another failed campaign on home soil. The Chileans were the better team and the Selecao were luckier.
When the two teams met at the same stage in South Africa four years, Brazil posted a comfortable 3-0 win. This time, they survived by the skin of their teeth. It is proof for the stellar work Sampaoli has done with his youthful charges.
The high-tempo, pressing game of Chile was too hot for the Brazilians who have never been quite adept at defending. Sampaoli was spot on when he said the hosts were conservative in their approach. “Brazil didn’t risk anything and didn’t create so many goal opportunities. They didn’t press and I think we nearly won the match,” he told a press conference.
It was a pity that Alexis Sanchez, one of the best players of the tournament, missed a spot kick in the shootout. After scoring Chile’s opener in open play, the Barcelona winger tormented Brazil with his neat touches and searing pace. With his shorts rolled up and face glistening in sweat, Sanchez was every inch a warrior.
Not for a moment did the Chileans and their supporters feel inferior to any team in the tournament. They all genuinely believed that their country could go all the way.
