Chile came mere inches away Saturday from pulling off the upset of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Or, in the words of Maurico Pinilla, Chile was “one centimeter from glory.”
Chile was tied 1-1 with host nation — and tournament favorite — Brazil in the 120th minute of their Round of 16 matchup when a rocket from Pinilla, a Chilean substitute, beat the Brazilian keeper but rang off the crossbar.
Brazil went on to win in penalty kicks to advance to the quarterfinals, with Chile clanging its final shot off the post.
One might assume his near-miss is a moment Pinilla would like to forget, but the striker apparently is using it as motivation. Just two days after the loss, Pinilla visited a tattoo parlor to ink the moment on his back for life.
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The loss perpetuated a decades-long stretch of World Cup frustration for the Chilean national team. Since placing third in the 1962 tournament — which was held in Chile — La Roja has failed to advance past the Round of 16.
Brazil ended Chile’s run in the first knockout stage at the 2010 World Cup, as well, albeit by a much more comfortable 3-0 margin.
