Julio Cesar celebrates with his Brazil teammates after their penalty shootout win over Chile on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup. Jose Coelho / EPA / June 28, 2014
Julio Cesar celebrates with his Brazil teammates after their penalty shootout win over Chile on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup. Jose Coelho / EPA / June 28, 2014

World Cup Day 18: Julio Cesar takes hero turn



PORTO ALEGRE // Rarely has such tension and such anxiety been so evident as it was on the Copacabana on Saturday afternoon.

With Brazil and Chile playing out a 1-1 draw and penalties determined to decide the outcome, more than 40,000 fans crammed the spectator park on the world’s most famous beach.

About 500 metres further along the beachfront, towards the wealthier Ipanema district, the 60 or 70 people that had crowded around a television in a small juice bar were holding their breath in unison.

Some were watching through their fingers. One woman, overcome by the suspense, burst into tears and walked out before the shoot-out had even begun. She was, of course, not the only person to shed tears before a kick had been taken.

Julio Cesar, the Brazilian goalkeeper, had been pictured crying shortly before the shoot-out in which he saved the first two of Chile’s penalties.

Never the most popular figure in the Selecao, Cesar enjoyed his own redemption, putting to bed the mistake he made against Holland four years ago. He finished the day a hero.

Lance, Brazil’s daily football newspaper, called him “Saint Julio”. ESPN likened him to the giant statue that sits on a mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

His performance was rated 10 out of 10 by Rio journalist Marcio Porto.

Nobody is under any illusion that Brazil were fortunate to progress. Before each Brazil penalty, clapping began to build to a crescendo as the ball was struck.

Before every Chile penalty, hands were clasped together, heads raised to the sky and calls of “Julio Cee-sar! Julio Cee-sar” rang out.

Once the game was over, there was no clapping. But the chants continued, louder.

gmeenaghan@thenational.ae