Day in 100 words or less Welcome back Brazil 2014. Oh how we missed you. Gone for just a day, you returned for us all to enjoy on Saturday, as a mini Copa America took place to start the knock out stages. You didnt return with a little tease. You didnt flirt with us, showing brief moments that will take our breath away. No, no. You were even more gorgeous than we remembered, handing us a game that brought all of our emotions to the core and a sensational, radiant maestro who continues to shine light on all that is glorious about you. Brazil 1-1 Chile (Brazil win 3-2 on pens) After arguably the greatest group stage to ever grace a World Cup we could have understood if the World Cups knock-out stages had given us a couple of games low on drama, particularly with what was on the line. What a load of nonsense. Brazil 2014 has laughed in the face of hyperbole at past World Cups, tactical trends and many other stereotypes and it was at it again on Saturday, handing us an instant classic the moment the knock out stages began. There is nothing like a World Cup. Nothing. Part of what makes it so incredible special is watching teams dance so close to that line of elimination. On Saturday in the Belo Horizonte sunshine, the host nation danced precariously close to that line. It is a line that past champions have flirted with often, including in the last 16. Back in 2006, Italy needed a 95th minute controversial winner from Francesco Totti to send Australia home and in 1998 holders France couldnt get by Paraguay until a 113th minute golden goal winner by Laurent Blanc. Brazil clearly have a long way to go to be added to that list but the millions of Brazilians watching this game have their mind on one thing and one thing only - the World Cup trophy. Before Saturday, the mandate was clear. Win four games and lift the trophy inside the Maracana on July 13th. Easier said than done. Chile were always the team they didnt want to face. When the draw was made, many looked at a possible Brazil-Spain knockout game but Luiz Felipe Scolari feared Chile more. On Saturday, we found out why. For a nation that expects, the atmosphere was like a carnival at kick-off. There was very little sense of tension. Brazil came out of the blocks flying, pressing high, recovering balls quickly and countering through the blistering speed of Neymar. A goal seemed inevitable and it came through the route all Chile fans feared. Neymars corner, flicked on by Thiago Silva, and poked in by David Luiz at the back post ignited the carnival further. Brazil were in complete control and Chile were shell-shocked, overawed by the occasion. Then another error on Brazils left side of their defence and the lethal combination of Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez gave them the goal they needed. Chiles nerves were gone and their confidence blossomed. Brazil, through Hulk, had some of the games better chances in the second half but Chile were the better side. The carnival disappeared and the tension flooded the stadium. Eleven players in yellow with the weight of over 200 million people on their shoulders. Chile grew stronger sensing an opportunity. Jorge Sampaoli, their wonderfully animated coach, did what he could but he was powerless. Deep in thought must have been what could have been if Arturo Vidal was anywhere close to the player Juventus fans have been lucky to watch closely. Clearly not fit, the talisman was withdrawn from the cauldron close to the end of 90 minutes and it was a cruel blow for such a special player who clearly could have had a massive influence on this game if not for knee surgery last month. Extra time came, Chile tired, Brazil tightened and penalties were inevitable, even though Mauricio Pinilla smashed the bar in the final seconds. The tension was unbearable for many and then referee Howard Webb got to do what he looked destined to do four years ago. The lottery of penalties it was called by the commentator. How naive. As the game came to a climax, both sides will have statistical analysis on each of the players. Even prepared writers had the stats. Julio Cesar had stopped six of 18 penalties in the last five years. Claudio Bravo had faced 16 spot kicks and prevented three. These stats and plenty more make the experience and education of preparing for a shootout much more worthwhile. For example, here is how Gareth Wheeler and I prepared for the penalties on TSN Radio. Seven of the last eight winners in World Cup shootouts went first and Brazil won the toss and did exactly that. David Luizs opener was worth much more than just one goal. When Julio Cesar saved from Pinilla the odds stacked heavily against the visitors. Only four of the previous 22 World Cup shootouts had seen a team miss first and advance. Chile would get it back to 2-2 through four shootouts but Brazil still had the advantage, knowing a goal would put their opponents in a must score scenario. That pressure fell on Neymar. As the television screens worldwide showed Marcelo Diaz celebrating his penalty, the face of the Brazilian side broke away from his teammates and made the lonely walk by himself. From the moment the eighth penalty was kicked, Neymar had 33 seconds to think about whatever entered his mind. Then he received the ball off the referee and placed it down. 52 seconds had now ticked by before he started his run up. He did a little jig of a dance, oh so close to the line of elimination, checked his run, waiting for the keeper to move but it never happened, forcing him to choose a side. Naturally, Neymar went to his natural side (right footed players hitting it to the left) sliding it to the keepers right. David Luiz was their to greet him as he walked back, a very important sign of unity and intimidation as Chiles fifth taker walked by.Gonzalo Jara then had to score. He went to his unnatural side, guessed correctly by Julio Cesar, but the post kept the ball out and Brazil partied long into the night. Brazil had escaped. They were, once again, miles away from the standard they need to reach but now they are only three games away from their goal. Julio Cesar, Thiago Silva, Hulk and Neymar stood out for the Brazilians while many others didnt. A move to 4-3-3 in the second half, with Oscar, centrally and deeper, seems to be the right way going forward but Neymars boys will need to be much, much better to stay in this tournament. After all, he is coming up against another absolute star number ten in yellow... Colombia 2-0 Uruguay Uruguay made no friends in the wake of the latest Luis Suarez biting incident. Oscar Washington Tabarez is a fine gentleman who has done wonders for that country and that federation but his 12 minute rant at a press conference on Friday was sad to see. It was seen as a way of firing up his team but, in truth, they were lifeless in attack once again. It was always going to be difficult for the team to come from behind, much like against Costa Rica (and not against England and Italy) and once one moment of brilliance turned the game, Uruguay were very close to joining Suarez at home. James Rodriguez is now the undisputed player of the tournament so far. A man who wasnt even born the last, and only, time Colombia played a knock out round at the World Cup (1990). His goal changed the game and changed the path for his country as they marched down a road to the World Cup quarter finals for the first time ever. It was a goal you will see over and over again. A goal made by spatial awareness, supreme football intelligence and incredible technique. 27:18 James moves into space between the lines... 27:24 The play develops and still he finds space in that area, constantly moving... 27:27 Still operating between the lines, showing for the ball... 27:31 Here is the brilliance. Ball finally comes his way and here is "the look". A glance behind to see if any defenders are coming tight behind him. Knowing they are not he plays out what is about to happen in his mind before the ball reaches him... Setting himself up for the best goal of the World Cup so far... Man of the day Nominees... Neymar - his pace was a constant threat for Chile and his penalty ended up sending them home. Claudio Bravo - the Chilean goalkeeper was excellent throughout the match and made a big save in the shootout. Julio Cesar - made two superb stops to turn the tide in the shootout. James Rodriguez - a wonderful strike followed by a tap in he helped create meant he, fittingly, carried Colombia into the last eight. Juan Cuadrado - Buried in the shadow of James, the winger has been superb in this tournament and was no different against Uruguay. The winner... Julio Cesar - Seen as the villain of the 2010 World Cup exit, the Brazilian goalkeeper was trusted by his manager to be the number one at the World Cup even when he was on the bench at QPR. He returned that trust and guided Brazil over an enormous hurdle. What comes next? Netherlands vs Mexico (12pm/9am) and Greece vs Costa Rica (4pm/1pm). Burning question for Sunday Do the Netherlands have the midfield trio to be able to match up and keep the ball off Mexicos effective midfield three? Stat of Day 17 Eight of the last nine teams to win a World Cup penalty shootout have taken the first penalty. Cheap Chicago Bears Jerseys . The third-ranked Buckeyes were down eight points to Notre Dame with less than 2 minutes to play and their offence was nowhere to be found. Mike Ditka Jersey . Nine-year veteran Danny Granger did not make his debut with the Clippers because of a technicality on the teams active list, which is signed by coach Doc Rivers before every game and relayed to the officials. Grangers name was printed by hand by a member of the public relations staff under the heading: "Updated Roster Additions," but the number on the sheet was not circled along with the other active players by the required deadline of 6:30 p. http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.co...k-butkus-jersey. Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. Wholesale Chicago Bears Jerseys . Still, Milan remained five points behind city rival Inter Milan in the race for fifth place and the final Europa League berth, after Inter beat 10-man Parma 2-0. Meanwhile, Paul Pogba led the way as Juventus stayed on course for a third consecutive title with a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Bologna. David Montgomery Jersey .Steamboat Ski Resort contends Steamboat Springs, Colorado has long been known as Ski Town, U.S.A., and claims in a new lawsuit that Salt Lake tourism officials violated their trademark when they rolled out the Ski City marketing campaign last month.SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- James Harden spent the fourth quarter smiling on the Houston Rockets bench. DeMarcus Cousins finished the final period in the Sacramento Kings locker room. Their performances were just as different on the floor, too. Harden scored a season-high 43 points in three quarters, and the Rockets routed the Kings 129-103 on Tuesday night after Cousins was ejected for vehemently arguing with an official. "These are the type of wins that we need, especially late in the season, to lock down and focus," Harden said. Harden helped Houston go ahead by 25 points in the first quarter, 31 in the second and 33 in the third. He shot 11 of 20 from the floor, made 15 of 16 free throws and added eight assists, three steals and two rebounds. Dwight Howard left briefly after banging his right knee but returned to finish with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Chandler Parsons had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, who have won 10 of their last 11 games. "You get a big lead early youre always a little concerned about keeping everybodys interests. They did a nice job," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. Cousins had 16 points and six rebounds for the Kings before needing to be restrained after getting ejected in the third quarter. He picked up his NBA-leading 14th and 15th technical fouls. "He lost his composure, thats all I saw, and then he got thrown out of the game. Its disappointing. But to be honest, Im more disappointed about how we played," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "Do I condone his actions? No, not at all. Does he have to handle himself better? Sure he does. We just need to get him to understand that we dont need him to get kicked out of the ball game." Cousins did not speak with reporters but wrote on Twitter: "Disappointed with the way I acted out on the court tonight. I want to apologize and say sorry to my team and the fans for letting them down." Rudy Gay added 25 points and six assists, and Ben McLemore scored 15 points for a Sacramento team that looked nothing like the one that beat the Rockets twice previously this season. The teams split four games. The Rockets outshot Sacramento 56.9 per cent to 40 per cent. It was the most points the Kings had allowed alll season, surpassing a 125-117 loss at Denver on Jan.dddddddddddd 26. Sacramento was trying to win three consecutive games for only the second time all season. Instead, Harden and the Rockets turned the game into a layup line. Harden had 22 points and four assists in the first quarter to help Houston go ahead 42-17. The only downer during the run came when Howard and Cousins banged knees. Howard limped to the locker room and returned with black leggings underneath his shorts midway through the second quarter. "It still hurts. Ill just try to do whatever I can to prevent my knee from getting too stiff to where I cant play," said Howard, who hopes to start again Wednesday night at the Los Angeles Clippers. Even while Howard and Harden sat out, the Kings never halted Houstons quick-strike offence. Jeremy Lins uncontested layup gave the Rockets a 50-19 lead with 9:49 remaining before the half. Malone called timeout, and fans showered the home team with boos. Sacramento sliced Houstons lead to 69-51 at the half before Cousins completely lost his composure when the Rockets roared back in the third quarter. Officials called Cousins for a technical after he was whistled for a foul against Howard and shouted at them. Cousins picked up his fifth personal foul moments later, then got called for another technical foul -- earning an automatic ejection -- after screaming in the face of official Courtney Kirkland during a timeout. Cousins had to be held back by coaches and teammates, pointing his finger and screaming at Kirkland. He flicked his headband into the stands on his way to the locker room. If Cousins gets another technical foul this season, he will be suspended by the NBA for one game. The last two seasons Cousins has needed to have a technical foul rescinded by the league to avoid the automatic suspension that comes when a player reaches 16 technicals. NOTES: Houston hasnt lost a non-overtime game since Jan. 25 at Memphis. ... Kings G Jimmer Fredette was not at the game. The Kings and Fredette are working to complete a buyout of his contract. .... The Rockets have won all 17 games in 2014 when scoring at least 100 points. The last such loss came against Sacramento on Dec. 31, when the Kings beat the Rockets 110-106 in Houston. Cheap Nike Celtics JerseysCheap Nike Nets JerseysCheap New York Knicks JerseysCheap Philadelphia 76ers JerseysChina Raptors JerseysWholesale Chicago Bulls JerseysWholesale Cleveland Cavaliers JerseysChina Pistons JerseysWholesale Indiana Pacers JerseysCheap Milwaukee Bucks JerseysAtlanta Hawks Jerseys OnlineCheap Nike Hornets JerseysChina Heat JerseysCheap Nike Magic JerseysChina Wizards JerseysCheap Nike Nuggets JerseysChina Timberwolves JerseysChina Thunder JerseysChina Blazers JerseysCheap Utah Jazz JerseysChina Warriors JerseysCheap Nike Clippers JerseysDiscount Lakers JerseysPhoenix Suns Jerseys OnlineCheap Sacramento Kings JerseysDallas Mavericks Jerseys OnlineWholesale Houston Rockets JerseysWholesale Memphis Grizzlies JerseysNew Orleans Pelicans Jerseys OnlineDiscount Spurs Jerseys ' ' '