RIO DE JENIERO, June 29 — Brazil squeaked into the quarterfinals of football’s World Cup, allowing the host squad to cry tears of relief instead of disappointment.

The hosts beat Chile 3-2 in a penalty shootout, relieving some of the pressure—both self-imposed by the squad and from the nation of 200 million—building for a victory.

When Gonzalo Jara missed the decisive penalty, Brazil forward Neymar and defender David Luiz dropped to their knees to pray and the crowd erupted in Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

Luiz had given the record five-time champion the lead in the first half. FIFA credited the Brazilian with the goal, although video appears to show Jara pushing the ball into his own net. Chile capitalized on a Brazilian mistake to tie the match as Alexis Sanchez scored in the 32^nd minute.

In the final moments of extra time, when each team had chances to score, Chile came closest when substitute Mauricio Pinilla hit the bar in the last minute.

“You say we’ve been able to give them a fright,” Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said. “I think they will be able to feel better and more confident after this victory.”

Brazil is three wins away from winning in its own Maracana stadium, where 64 years ago it blew a chance to win in the final game. It only needed to tie that match in 1950, but allowed Uruguay to win 2-1.

The defeat is still discussed in terms of a national disaster and referred to as the Maracanazo, or the Maracana Blow.

Almost History

“That near goal has been really hard for us,” Sampaoli said of Pinilla’s effort. “If we had scored we could have marked history forever. It would have been a historic moment for Chile.”

When Jara’s penalty cannoned off the post, celebrations were sparked across the country of 200 million.

Brazil manager Felipe Scolari, who oversaw Brazil’s last title in 2002, said his team is determined to follow through on his promise to win the tournament.

“Of course we were tense,” he said.

“It’s not easy to play at home with the pressure of victory. It would’ve been easy to say we if will qualify from the first stage it’s OK. But no we took upon ourselves this mission that we must be champions.”

Brazil has now eliminated its South American neighbour in the four times Chile has made the knockout stages, including in a 3-0 win at the same round in South Africa four years ago.

Brazil is now unbeaten in 28 matches against Chile on home soil.

Morale Boosters

Chile's Gary Medel is comforted by goalkeeper Johnny Herrera after losing their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game against Brazil at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 29, 2014. — Reuters pic

Chile tried to boost the team’s morale before the match, with a group of miners rescued after 69 days trapped underground in 2010 produced a video telling the team their survival showed “nothing is impossible.”

Brazil supporters created a sea of yellow inside the stadium, where a small pocket of red-shirted Chileans also managed to find seats. Local authorities estimated that 30,000 fans from Chile had traveled to the city in southern Brazil.

Tostao, a member of Brazil 1970 championship team, said Brazil was over reliant on Neymar, the Barcelona striker who had four goals in the group stage.

“Plan A is give it to Neymar, Plan B? Give it to Neymar,” Tostao said before the game.

Wearing gold shoes, Neymar was at the center of the majority of Brazil’s opening attacks, drawing as many as three opponents when he got the ball. When they couldn’t contain him fairly they brought him down, and he suffered a thigh injury after the opening minutes, Scolari said.

Fouling Neymar

“His thigh is swollen this big,” Scolari said gesturing with his hands. “I don’t understand why people need to do this.”

Neymar’s corner in the 18^th minute led to the opening goal. Luiz was credited with the goal, although video appeared to show Jara putting the ball into his own net.

Brazil created chances without getting another goal. In the 32^nd minute, Sanchez finished a move that started when Brazil’s Hulk gave the ball away.

After denying both teams penalties in the first half, English referee Howard Webb drew loud jeers after ruling Hulk handled the ball before shooting into the net in the 55^th minute.

Brazil was accused of getting favorable decisions from referees in earlier games, including a penalty during the opening match with Croatia.

Penalty Questions

“If it’s a penalty it’s a penalty, if it’s a foul, it’s a foul, if it’s a goal it’s a goal,” Scolari said. “Things are starting to get weird here.”

Chile grew in confidence in the second half, quieting the crowd and coming close through the bursts of Sanchez.

A nervous crowd tried to rouse the hosts by chanting “I believe,” a refrain used to cheer on local team Atletico Mineiro when it won South America’s top club competition on penalties in the same stadium last year.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was in tears before the shootout began, while midfielder Luiz Gustavo prayed. Cesar, who was blamed by some Brazilians for the team’s exit in 2010 after an error in a match against the Netherlands, turned into the hero with two penalty saves before Jara’s miss.

“Being labeled the villain is very difficult,” Cesar said.

“This match has proven if you have a dream that you want to go after, just go after it and never give up.” — Bloomsberg