Brazil's David Luiz celebrates after scoring during the Round of 16 match against Chile at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Belo Horizonte on Saturday (Brazilian time). Photo: AFP

*As of Saturday (Brazilian time)

 

Brazil survived a huge scare to edge past Chile into the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday (Brazilian time) as Colombia's James ­Rodriguez ­produced an amazing 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 shootout 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 afterward.

"We almost paid the price in the 118th minute when the ball hit the bar."

Brazi started strongly, taking the lead through a goal credited to David Luiz on 18 minutes.

Neymar swung a corner in from the left and the Paris Saint-Germain defender rose to turn the ball into the net.

But Chile came back and equalized on 32 minutes, Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez punishing slack play in the penalty area to slot past Cesar.

In the shootout, 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.

"He is 22 but he plays as if he were 35," purred Scolari when asked about Neymar's pressure spot kick.

"He handles the pressure naturally. He is so strong mentally and you could see even when he was 17 or 18 that he was ready."

Brazil's goalkeeping hero Cesar had broken down in tears just before the shootout, 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.

"I hope that our coming matches don't go to penalties, because otherwise our families will end up having heart problems."

The Brazilians will now play Colombia in the quarterfinals 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 on 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 swiveled 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.

"Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Luis ­Suarez, James Rodriguez - they do things because they have certain gifts that make them special."

The win puts Colombia into the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time and shot Rodriguez to the top of the tournament's goal scoring charts with five goals from four games.

The buildup to the match had been dominated by the biting controversy surrounding Suarez which saw Uruguay's talisman sent home in disgrace and banned for four months.

Even though Suarez was back home in Uruguay, his team laid out his kit in the changing rooms at the Maracana.

But Uruguay dearly missed his presence as they were dominated by the skilful ­Colombians, who have emerged as one of the most exciting teams in the tournament.