Nilmar hat-trick helps Brazil overcome Chile
Nilmar hat-trick helps Brazil overcome Chile
The Villarreal striker bags three and leaves Chile some work to do to qualify.

New Delhi: Villarreal striker Nilmar bagged his first international hat-trick to fire Brazil to victory over Chile but the Selecao didn't make it easy for themselves in a rainsoaked Santiago de Bahia.

Brazil were without a number of key first team players that featured in Saturday's win over Argentina. Juan, Julio Baptista and Nilmar replaced the suspended trio of Lucio, Kaka and Luis Fabiano while Adriano stepped in for the injured Robinho.

Chile would have received the absence of Luis Fabiano an Rog\binho well considering they bagged the goals in their last encounter in Santiago last September.

Barcelona's Daniel Alves, who started his career in the Estadio de Pituacu, came into the side in place of Elano. Alves almost got his dream goal early on but his long range effort was well saved by Chilean custodian Claudio Bravo.

On a slippery surface in Salvador, Chile took a while to settle into the task and just when they were getting to grips with a fluid Brazil side Nilmar pounced to put the Canarinha's in front after 31 minutes. The Villarreal front man volleyed home a stunning effort, connecting perfectly with a long free-kick.

Julio Baptista made it 2-0 with five minutes remaining in the half but Chile grabbed a late goal from the penalty spot just before the break in a frantic end to the first half. Humberto Suazo scored from the spot to give Chile hope after Felipe Melo brought Alexis Sanchez down in the area.

The Brazilian's were comfortable in the first 45 but their slender half-time lead was even more fragile when Melo saw red shortly after the interval. The Juve midfielder was given his marching orders following a nasty lunge on Sanchez.

Chile seized the initiative against the ten men of Brazil and Humberto Suazo bagged his second goal of the game finishing off a fine move from close range to restore parity after 52 minutes

Brazil coach Dunga introduced Elano and Diego Tardelli in place of Andre dos Santos and Adriano and the ten men of Brazil soon turned the tie around with two quickfire goals from Nilmar.

The Brazil striker pounced on a defensive lapse from the Chileans to fire his side in front from close range with fifteen minutes left and scored again almost immediately from the restart to bag his hat-trick and give Brazil a two goal cushion.

Moments later Alexis Sanchez saw red for a second bookable offence to make the numbers even once more.

Chlean substitute Jorge Valdivia nearly scored a wonderful solo effort late on but Brazil held on for a 4-2 win.

A win for Brazil, who had already qualified for South Africa while Chile drop to third in the group, needing a victory from their remaining games against Colombia and Ecuador to secure their place at the World Cup.

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