World Cup 2014 Report: Brazil breathes sigh of relief in penalty win over Chile

The chosen one: Neymar gives thanks to a higher power

Was it destiny that helped the host nation over the line against Chile? Adam Shearwood looks at how Betfair customers have reacted to Brazil's nerve-jangling penalty win...

The width of a crossbar prevented Chile winning in extra time, a lick of paint saw them go out on penalties. Was today the day Fate made clear the winner of this World Cup?!

Such notions appear to be colouring the views of Betfair customers who have been quick to look past the misplaced passes, the continuing struggles of Fred, and the huge physical exertion taken to overcome the Chileans. Brazil have been backed in to 3.7511/4 to be 2014 Winner - the shortest they, or any team, have been to win the tournament outright. They were available at odds of 4.216/5 prior to tonight's game.

Brazilian fans - and supporters on the Betfair exchange - can breath a huge collective sigh of relief and watch the Colombia v Uruguay match, to see who shall emerge as the host nation's quarter-final opponents. It might, at this point, be a wise move to sip a mojito, just to calm the nerves, for once again Brazil treated supporters to a rollercoaster ride.

They took the lead thanks to Gonzalo Jara (more of him later) flicking an 18th minute corner off the hip of David Luiz and into the net. Luiz was credited with the goal, meaning pre-match backers at 32.031/1 will be raising a glass to the FIFA dubious goals panel this evening.

However, Chile with their unflinching commitment to pressing their opponents and working hard for each other, were never out of it, and a Brazilian defensive lapse allowed the superb Alexis Sanchez to calmly equalise in the 32nd minute - and land at odds of 5.14/1 for his pre-match anytime goalscorer backers.

For much of the second half, Brazil were on the back foot and Chile looked the more likely to score. They came into it a little more once the diabolical Fred was removed for the slightly-less-diabolical Jo - how they could really do with a top quality striker.

Chile's best chance of snatching the win didn't arrive, however, until the last minute of extra time, when Mauricio Pinilla crashed an effort against the crossbar. That was as close as Jorge Sampaoli's valiant side came to the win, as in the ensuing penalty shout-out their destiny was sealed once Gonzalo Jara's penalty hit the inside of the post and glided harmlessly across the face of Julio Cesar's goal and wide. Brazil had been available pre-match at 18.5n/a to go through on penalties.

Neymar's failure to add to his four tournament goals, sees his rivals shorten in the race for the Golden Boot. Lionel Messi remains favourite, now at odds of 3.412/5.