Marcelo Diaz's deep free-kick is punched well clear by Julio Cesar, who came through a crowded penalty area to sort.

Brazil are immediately on the attack at the start of the half and look to some Neymar magic to inspire them. This time his cross is poor and Chile counter. Will these player ever tire? You tend to think not.

Chile have a free-kick in a dangerous area...

Former England captain Rio Ferdinand
MOTD

"I still fancy Brazil. They are the ones creating the chances and taking this game by the scruff of the neck and if they can continue that in the second half I don't think Chile can handle them."

BBC World reporter Alex South: , externalHalf time in Brasilia. Stop the clocks.

Former Scotland defender Alan Hansen
Match of the Day analyst

"It has been relentless so far. But the way Chile press with Sanchez and Vargas means that everyone else behind them has to press. But that means there is space for Brazil to get in behind. It just takes one ball to be in the right place at the right time and you'll be in. Brazil had the better of the chances and if they continue in that vein they will win the match. Whatever happens it was the best half we've seen in this World Cup. You just couldn't take your eyes off it."

Fred had the most shots of all the players in the first half - three. But he failed to get any on target.

Fred to score the World Cup final winner anyone?

Paul McMenemy: , externalKettle on. I really need this cup of tea. Exhausted. Need to regroup for second-half. Maybe a digestive.

Khubaib Manzoor:, external What a half of football!. Brazil dominant and should be ahead. Sanchez and Neymar class acts, Fred a burden.

AKarim:, external The knock out stage at the 2014 World Cup has started with a bang. Stunning, sensational half. More of the same please.

If this is a sign of what we have to come for the knockout rounds, we still have the best of the World Cup in front of us. It has been an incredible tournament already but this is where the drama really begins.

Penalty shootout anyone? You can read how to take the perfect World Cup penalty here.

Don't forget we will have a live text of Colombia v Uruguay later tonight as well as commentary on BBC Radio 5 live. Anywhere near as good as this match and you are in for a treat.

Former Brazil midfielder Juninho on Match of the Day: "I thought Brazil played well. We made two mistakes. One was for the goal and the other when we nearly conceded a second. We need Oscar to get into the game more and if he does, Brazil will be better."

Alan Hansen
BBC Sport

"The tackles are flying in and what interests me is whether they can keep up the pace for the next 45 minutes."

Gus in Leeds via text: Why can't England play with the same freedom as these South American teams? They actually look as though they're enjoying themselves!

Simon in St Helens via text: They should play the next World Cup on concrete in an effort to get rid of all the theatrical dives.

Simon in Leeds via text: Two points. My first is that Brazil's goal was a blatant own goal. Secondly, yellow cards should be wiped after group stages. A ridiculous rule. Two cheap yellows and it ruins a player's World Cup.

Muckers:, external What a great game, ole ole ole chi le chi le.

Dane Hardie:, external Best 45 mins of football so far at this World Cup.

Roger Weir:, external Brazil v Chile - not too shabby. The players passion during the anthems was eye-opening.

BBC Radio 5 live

South American football expert Tim Vickery: "It is going to be a tense, tense 45 minutes. Unfortunately I think the referee is out of his depth. Fernandinho clattered into a tackle early in the first half and there was no yellow card. That was the chance for Howard Webb to stamp his authority on the game.

"You can't referee this game like you do Premier League games and I think Webb is going to be in for a very tough 45 minutes."

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in Belo Horizonte

"Neymar lashed the ball away in frustration as Howard Webb's half-time whistle blew - he knows Brazil needlessly threw away their lead. Coach Scolari said in the build-up they could afford no mistakes now they are in the knockout stage and he will be bitterly disappointed with that equaliser. The players head down the tunnel with Fred and Gary Medel at each other's throats. One to keep an eye on."

Prior to today, Brazil had lost just one of their last 15 World Cup games when they had scored first.

Former England striker Alan Shearer
MOTD analyst

"I can't remember a game being played at such a pace. Both teams are 100mph. It's been an absolutely sensational 45 minutes."

If you missed any of the first half or just want to watch some of it again, you can view all the main incidents by clicking on the highlights tab at the top of the page.

It is certainly worth a second viewing.

And breathe.

An utterly brilliant first half of football comes to an end with Brazil's Fred and Chile's Gary Medel having a bit of an argument on their way off.

Both teams are giving this their all. Best first half of the World Cup perhaps?