Brazil live another day, Colombia cruise into quarters for first time

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 29 (AFP): Brazil survived a huge scare to edge past Chile into the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday as Colombia's James Rodriguez produced a wonder-goal to help send Uruguay packing.
A titanic second-round battle in Belo Horizonte saw Brazil beat Chile 3-2 on penalties after the South American rivals finished extra time locked at 1-1.
Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero, saving twice in a nerve-shredding shoot-out before Chile defender Gonzalo Jara's final spot-kick struck the post to hand the hosts victory.
The penalty drama unfolded after a pulsating game at the Mineirao Stadium which saw Chile almost snatch victory in the closing minutes of extra-time when substitute Mauricio Pinilla's shot crashed back off the woodwork.
"If you don't exploit the few opportunities you get, you can go out," relieved Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said afterwards.
In the shoot-out, both teams missed spot-kicks to leave Neymar as Brazil's fifth and final penalty-taker.
The Brazilian poster-boy duly tucked away his penalty to make it 3-2 and when Jara missed, the hosts celebrated.
Brazil's goalkeeping hero Cesar had broken down in tears just before the shoot-out, highlighting the excruciating tension of the moment.
"The Brazilian people needed this, and so did the players. We knew how difficult it would be," said Cesar.
The Brazilians will now play Colombia in the quarter-finals in Fortaleza on Friday after 22-year-old Rodriguez served up a two-goal display in a 2-0 win over a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay at the Maracana.
Rodriguez produced a moment of genius after 28 minutes which is likely to be a strong contender for goal of the tournament.
Collecting the ball on his chest with his back to goal, the Monaco youngster swivelled and uncorked a dipping volley which flew in off the bar.
His second was a simple tap-in after Juan Cuadrado headed Pablo Armero's deep cross back into the danger zone.
Uruguay's beaten coach Oscar Tabarez tipped Rodriguez for greatness after his scintillating display.
"For me, special talents are those who do things that are completely out of the ordinary," said Tabarez.
The win puts Colombia into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time -- and shot Rodriguez to the top of the tournament goalscoring charts with five goals from four games.