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World Cup Round of 16: Your Running Commentary

AlexisSanchezChile1-BrazilFriendly2013 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Brazil is just four games away from World Cup glory but before it can make the final in the Maracana, it has to face arguably its greatest challenge of the tournament.

South American rivals Chile meets host Brazil (12 p.m. ABC) at the Estadio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, pitting the likes of Alexis Sanchez against Neymar. Chile’s in-your-face attacking style will be tough for Brazil to match but Brazil does have the advantage in set pieces and on counter attacks. Fernandinho has taken the place of Paulinho in Brazil’s squad, possibly gproviding a look at Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s fear of Chile’s attacking prowess.

In the second match of the day, Uruguay is set to rally around the loss of Luis Suarez when it takes on the high-flying Colombians (4 p.m. ABC) at the Maracana in Rio De Janeiro. James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado, and Los Cafeteros have dismantled their first three opponents but they’ll be running into the brick wall that is Diego Lugano and Diego Godin.

If Colombia wins, it would be the first time it has ever made it to the quarterfinals in the nation’s history. Uruguay will be playing with the spirit of the 1950 team that won the World Cup final over Brazil in the Maracana, making this game full of energy and emotion.

If you will be watching today’s matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Comments

  1. Every time an Uruguayan player is touched he falls, and every time they fall the ref buys it and calls a foul for them. I am glad I won’t have to see them again until Copa America 2015.

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  2. Nice attempt, but a better save by the Colombian goalkeeper. If you’re taping, watch highlights of the two goals and the last 15 minutes.

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  3. James Rodriguez is having some kind of tournament, bit of a shame he’s in Ligue 1, wish I could watch him more regularly.

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    • BeIn sports carries some French games, if you are lucky enough to have the right access. I’m looking forward to getting more leagues here–this tournament has convinced me that if I watch mostly Premier League, I’m not watching the best soccer.

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  4. Is anyone else annoyed by the entire Uruguayan team for the way that have claimed persecution? I have no doubt, being from the US, that FIFA decisions are not always completely fair, but still–admit your guy was an idiot and move on.

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  5. Everything in life comes full circle. Such a shockingly horrible Brazil side will NOT win the World Cup.

    They are just not good enough, and that’s an understatement.

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  6. man that shootout stuff is intense

    one of the to few teams imo in the tournament is out. hit the post! feel bad or Chile, I’ll miss not watching them anymore this summer, been a treat

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      • didn’t see them as floppers at all but instead hard workers and organized…always interesting how folks can watch the same things yet see different things

      • Dude they were rolling on the ground constantly, even off the ball. An the last 30 minutes playing to go to shootout, I just don’t like teams that play for pk shootout. They lost me at that point.

      • Dude? good one

        anyway, watched all of the games this tournament, Chile was for me one of the most entertaining teams to watch because of their style of play

        so we disagree.

      • Sad to see that with a such a word cup with so many awesome teams and so many awesome games some people still find a way to whine about things they made up in their own minds.
        BTW, how can you complain about diving and not mention Neymar.
        Probably a Brazil fan

      • No I am not a Brazil fan, but I don’t hate them like you. How could you not see the Chilean players flopping all game long. There’s even an instance two were flopping like fish at the same time wasting time to get to pk shootout. I know it is a tactic, but I personally dislike teams that play to reach the shootout. They lost me at that point.

      • Anyone else sick of this new troll Paul Terry? Will be delighted when these guys find some other site to ruin once this world cup is over.

  7. Well, what can you say? When you play for pks, you simply may just lose. Having said that, it took me all this long to realize, but this Brazil team is really bad. Bad selection by Scolari.

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    • Most teams that won the WC had to win a pk shootout. This may be the one for Brazil. But, this team just doesn’t have it, I have to say about Brazil.

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  8. Jo is terrible. WOW. How is this guy playing for a team like Brazil? Jozy would be a huge improvement over both their strikers.

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  9. This Brazilian side is good but there is now way Kaka, Lucas Moura and Lucas Leiva aren’t all better options than Joe and Paullinho and Fernandinho

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  10. Brazil is a 3rd rate garbage side; they were exposed as early as the 1st game v. Croatia.

    You cannot win the World Cup with Fred and Joe. Thrash, absolute thrash this team is.

    Credit to Webb today; with the Japanese referee on duty, this would have been 3:1 game over.

    Come on Chile!

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    • Ahh drop it already with the refs and Brazil. They are bad near garbage, I agree. But, there’s no conspiracy to have them advance or win. Otherwise, what about today’s non-called pk at the beginning and the disallowed goal by hulk?

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      • Think the replay shows Hulk trapped the ball with his bicep. Watching the play unfold, thought the goal was legit. Seeing the replay, looks like he controlled with his arm. Still well taken strike.

        Cheers

      • I am only saying that if there was a conspiracy of sorts to favor Brazil, that goal would’ve never been disallowed.

  11. Now Brasil is turning it on, or at least trying to. They do not look good most of the time, but man can they fly when needed.

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  12. Brazil is highly overrated. Oscar has been shutdown today. Plus look at their yellow card accumulation. Hulk has played well. Tough handball. The problem with most soccer analysis in the US is you have a bunch of guys that rely on rule of thumb thinking instead of objective analysis. Brazil won’t when this cup. If they were playing Germany now they would be down at least 2 goals.

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  13. And that is why I always shake my head whenever I see Jo warming up. What is Scolari thinking? He should play a false 9, because his striking options are pretty mediocre.

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  14. Is it just me, or does Brazil look nervous? They aren’t passing well, moving off the ball, combining, or using any invention. They look terrible, and I think even if they end up winning this game, they’re not going to win this tournament.

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    • I think they do too, and also believe the way Chile plays makes you nervous; they are an excellent defensive team that tries to make you play against their strengths–speed, quickness, movement, swarming pressure–instead of against their weaknesses physically in their defensive area

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      • Agreed. Great observation, they press all over the field, especially right after they lose possession. Chile is a great side, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win.

    • Seems like, with the exception of Hulk’s chance, this half the final Brazil pass or shot isn’t precise for sure.

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  15. Brazil looks strong and up for this, but they are not “in control” like the announcers are saying. They still look a little sloppy, like they just expect to win, and Chile makes them pay. 1 – 1.

    And Neymar bugs the crap out of me. Vamos Chile!

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  16. Brazil’s starting lineup:

    Fred—–Neymar—-Hulk
    Oscar—Gustavo—Roza
    Marcelo—Ruiz—Silva—Alvez
    ———H. Webb—————

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