Written by: Armando Zamora • June 28, 2014• World Cup

World Cup Recap: Day 16

Day 16 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup was the beginning of the Round of 16. Two matches were played: Brazil v Chile and Colombia v Uruguay.

The round of 16 is the first stage of direct elimination in the World Cup, meaning a winner must be found. If the match is level at 90 minutes the game goes to two sets of 15 minute extra times. If the game is still level, it goes to a penalty shoot-out to find the winner.

Brazil faced Chile in a tense match that was characterized with heavy fouls and physical play. Referee Howard Webb was aware of Brazil’s tendency to ask for fouls that don’t exist and to reject and yell for fouls called on them, and thus Webb let the game get physical without falling victim to giving Brazil the benefit of the doubt. At the 18′, Brazil scored first following a corner kick that was nudged in by David Luiz’s knee giving Brazil the lead. However Chile would come back following an error in passing by Brazil that gave Alexis Sanchez an opening that allowed him to get the ball past the Brazilian defense. The game would be tied at half-time and after several missed chances the game stayed level after 90 minutes, meaning the game would go to extra times. In extra time Brazil seemed to dominate the game as Chile was content with going to penalties following the excellent form Claudio Bravo was displaying. After another 30 minutes of play the game was to be decided by penalties. Brazil started strong and made their first strike while Chile missed theirs. Both teams would miss their next strike and then make the following. Hulk would then miss the next penalty for Brazil while Diaz made his for Chile which meant Neymar would have to make his and hope Chile missed theirs for Brazil to win and that is exactly what happened after Gonzalo Jara hit the ball of the post to give Brazil the win and their ticket to the Quarter Finals.

Colombia faced Uruguay following Brazil’s win over Chile and the favored Colombians were hoping to meet Brazil in the next stage. After a tight 20 minutes of play James Rodriguez controlled a great pass with his chest to turn around and instinctively crack the ball at the goal which bounced off the cross bar and landed inside the goal to give Colombia the lead at the 28′ in what will surely be remembered as one of the top 5 goals of this World Cup. It was clear this goal disrupted the Uruguay national team, who was missing their star player Luis Suarez after being banned for four months after biting an Italian player’s shoulder. Uruguay failed to strike back and the game was tied at the half. 5 minutes into the second half a beautiful passing display left James Rodriguez right in front of goal by himself to easily net the second goal for Colombia that would ultimately sealed their win as Uruguay failed to come back with any threatening chances. Colombia won the pass to the phase and will face Brazil in the Quarter Finals.

Tomorrow’s Games:

Mexico v Netherlands @Noon

Costa Rica v Greece @4PM

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