Netherlands Take Third Place, Brazil Finish Fourth

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The third-place match is not really a game any team wants to play in.  Just by being there means you lost your semi-final and cannot win the tournament.  You cannot go home either so pride is the only thing at stake.  Brazil were put there by the titanic loss to Germany while the Netherlands fell to Argentina in penalty-kicks.  Both teams looked to recover after their respective defeats; Brazil being emotionally heart-broken and the Netherlands being physically drained.

Thiago Silva was greatly missed in the game against Germany and today returned from suspension to anchor the back line for Brazil.  However he put his team in trouble very early when he conceded a penalty.  Thiago Silva could not keep up with the pace of Robben so he pulled him down while running into the box.  Silva was the last defender on a clear goal scoring chance and deserved a red card, but was lucky to only get a yellow.  Van Persie took penalty kick and scored for the Netherlands (3').

The other Brazilian centerback David Luiz then put his team further in trouble when he made a poor clearance in the box.  A cross by Lonathan De Guzman was headed away by David Luiz, but only as far as Daley Blind waiting near the penalty spot.  Nobody for Brazil covered Blind and he scored with a free shot on goal (16').

For a moment Brazil were having flashbacks of the German beat down, but settled down and created some chances.  Oscar in particular looked like he was going to either create or score a goal to get back into the match.  Unfortunately that did not happen as Brazil could not find the net today.  Fernandinho, Hernanes, and Hulk came in off the bench, but nobody was able to beat the Dutch defense.

The Netherlands added a final goal late in the match to solidify the result.  Robben played Joël Janmaat behind the Brazilian defense and he was able to play the ball across the face of goal.  The pass was played right into the path of Wijnaldum who hit the shot first-time to score (90 +1').

Only one more match is left to play at the 2014 World Cup and it is the grand finale.  Germany and Argentina will face-off to see who will lift the trophy and decide who is the best team in the world.

Argentina To World Cup Final

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The Netherlands and Argentina faced-off today to claim a place in the World Cup final.  Argentina beat Belgium 1-0 to reach the semi-finals while the Netherlands were forced into an extra-time game against Costa Rica that eventually ended in a 2-1 victory.  Again today the Netherlands were forced into an extra-time game as both fail to score in regulation.

Both teams came out with a rather conservative approach and did not press too many men forward.  Argentina's offense led by Messi and supported by Higuaín and Lavezzi was subdued throughout the match.  Messi's only shot on goal was a free-kick that keeper Cillessen saved easily.

Likewise, Argentina did not allow the Netherlands to get their offense flowing and by the end of regulation there were no shots on target from anyone in orange.  Van Persie was ghost out there today and Robben seemed just a half step slower coming off the overtime grind with Costa Rica.

Neither team scored in the extra-time so for a second straight match for the Dutch penalty kicks would decide the winner.  In the previous match the Netherlands saved their last substitution for a keeper change to bring on the speciallist Tim Krul.  However today all the subs were used before a change at keeper could be made and Cillessen had to do the job.

The Netherlands shot first with defender Ron Vlaar leading off.  This was a surprising move considering Huntelaar had come in late off the bench.  And in hindsight it was the wrong decision as his shot was blocked by Argentina keeper Romero.  This gave Argentina an immediate advantage and Messi followed the save with a conversion for the lead.

Robben then scored from the spot for the Dutch and Garay responded with a clean finish for Argentina.  Next for the Netherlands was Sneijder who also had his shot denied by Romero and was also followed by a conversion by Agüero.  Kyut was the last shooter for the Netherlands and he found the net to keep them alive.  Unfortunately for the Orange keeper Cillessen could not make a single save and substitute Maxi Rodríguez finished from the spot to put Argentina into the final.

So Brazil's arch rival will play in the final against an intimidating German side.  It almost doesn't matter though who plays Germany as the winner of today's match will have one day less rest and have to recover from this extra-time game.  We saw the same situation last summer during the Confederations Cup when Spain could barely challenge Brazil after winning an extra-time game to reach the final.

The Netherlands will play Brazil in the third-place game on Saturday and it will be interesting to see how, or if, both teams respond to their losses.

German Goals Galore, Brazil Embarrassed

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The story coming into today's World Cup semi-final is the absence of Neymar and Thiago Silva for Brazil as they face Germany.  Brazil have been carried into the semi-finals by the spirit of the nation and the overwhelming support from the home crowds.  Meanwhile Germany reached the semi-final with a dynamic offense and a confident keeper.  Neymar has been a shinning star for Brazil, but today the absence of Thiago Silva played a much bigger role in the outcome of the match.

Brazil came out with a very high tempo and looked to use speed to get past the German defense.  However, it was their defense that slow and, more importantly, hopelessly disorganized.  Germany scored early in the match on a poorly defended corner-kick.  Toni Kroos played the cross into the box and Müller was left unmarked at the far-post.  With a free volley, Müller hit the cross first-time to beat the keeper (11').

Brazil had no chance to get back into the game as their defense completely collapsed and Germany took them to school.  First Klose scored an historic goal for Germany when Müller set him up in the box.  Klose had time to shoot twice, the first shot saved by Julio César and the second finished on the rebound (23').  This goal puts Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring leaders with sixteen.

Then in the blink on an eye Kroos scored two more for Germany.  Lahm played a cross into the box that came to Müller.  He whiffed his shot though, and the ball continued on to Kroos who did not miss and found the net (24').  Immediately after Brazil's Fernandinho gave away possession and Kroos came away with the ball.  He linked up with Khedira who set him up with a return pass for another easy finish (26').

Khedira scored one himself shortly after when Hummels made a run out of the back.  Hummels passed to Khedira who then passed to Özil.  Özil gave the ball back to Khedira in space and he finished the last goal of the first-half (29').

By half-time the match was essentially over as Brazil were looking at a five goal deficit.  Hulk and Fernandinho were taken out for Ramires and Paulinho in the second-half.  The two gave Brazil a bit of a spark and soon after coming into the match Paulinho forced German keeper Neuer to make two good saves.

Germany further stretched the lead when André Schürrle came in for Klose later in the half and scored two more goals.  Lahm played a square-pass across the face of goal and Schürrle hit the shot first-time for his first goal of the match (69').  He scored again when Müller played a ball for him inside the box.  Schürrle had to control a tricky pass which he did well to setup a shot.  His shot was also taken well as it caught the crossbar on its way to the net (79').

Brazil, who had nothing working for them today, scored a consolation goal at the very end of the match.  A long ball over the top put Oscar behind defender Boateng.  With just the keeper to beat, Oscar scored rather easily for the last goal of the match (90').

The result of today's match is not surprising, though the actual score is a bit shocking.  Brazil have not been very convincing leading up to this semi-final and loosing Neymar's spirit as well as Thiago Silva's leadership was a recipe for disaster.  Germany will wait and see if it is Argentina or the Netherlands that face them in the final.  They should be full of confidence after this blowout, but surly their next opponent will put up more of a fight.

Higuaín Scores Winner For Argentina, Belgium Done

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Argentina faced Belgium today for the third quarter-final of the World Cup.  Both teams won in extra-time by a one goal margin; Argentina beating Switzerland 1-0 and Belgium beating the United States 2-1.  Against the United States Belgium were able to control possession and fire a birage of shots throughout the match.  However today against Argentina, Belgium struggled to get the offense clicking and only produced one shot on target.

Argentina scored early in the match thanks in part to some good fortune.  Di María intended to play a pass to Zabaleta making an overlap run, but the ball came off Vertonghen and deflected conveniently for Higuaín.  Taking the shot first-time out of the air, Higuaín scored the only goal of the first-half (8').

Argentina took a blow later in the half when Di María came out with an injury.  He took a shot that was blocked and came away holding his thigh.  He received some treatment and tried to continue, but quickly realized he was not fit.  Enzo Perez replaced Di María and Argentina's offense definitely lost a dimension.

Belgium made changes as the match went on and brought in Romelu Lukaku who was a positive substitute against the United States.  Argentina's defense held strong though and did not allow and clear chances for Belgium late in the game.

The Netherlands and Costa Rica play later today to determine who Argentina face in the semi-finals.  Costa Rica are the under-dogs, but teams from the Americas have been good this World Cup.

Colombia Fall To Brazil, Neymar Needs Stretcher

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The host nation was back in action as Brazil played Colombia in today's second quarter-final.  Colombia have exceeded expectations and James Rodríguez is the current goal scoring leader with five.  Brazil, on the other hand, have been unconvincing in their World Cup campaign despite succeeding in the knock-out rounds.

Brazil scored early in the match on a set-piece.  David Luiz and Thiago Silva came forward for a Brazil corner-kick that was played into the box by Neymar.  The cross was not defended well and the ball was allowed to bounce in front of the goal.  Thiago Silva finished with a free half-volley at the far-post to take the lead (7').

Brazil had the majority of chances in the first-half and Colombia was struggling to establish a presence in midfield.  The match was physical throughout, but the referee was hesitant to give anyone a card.  Eventually a yellow card was shown in the second-half to Thiago Silva for a foul on keeper Ospina meaning the Brazil captain will miss the next match.

Then on another set-piece Brazil scored a second goal by the other centerback.  David Luiz used a free-kick to have a shot and placed it well into the upper-ninety (69').  It was a well struck free-kick, but keeper Ospina must take some of the blame for the second goal.  He abandoned his far-post despite the wall covering the near-post and was not in the right position when the shot came.

As time ran on and Colombia were forced to push more players forward, an opening was create late in the match that gave Colombia a penalty-kick.  Brazil keeper Julio César missed a tackle on Carlos Bacca and James Rodríguez scored from the spot, giving Colombia a life-line (80').

Colombia could not get a second goal to level the score and will exit the World Cup.  James Rodríguez may still claim the golden boot award with a total of six goals in five matches.  Juan Cuadrado has also attracted a lot of attention and together give Colombia a bright future.

Brazil have shown they can score from set-pieces as well as from the field of play.  However, it seems they still have not reached their full potential.  Also Neymar might not be available going forward.  He was carried off on a stretcher late in the match after taking a knee to the back.  Germany will be a tough opponent and Brazil will need their best to move ahead.

Hummels Returns, Scores For Germany

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The first quarter-final of the 2014 World Cup was a meeting between European neighbors France and Germany.  France took care of Nigeria in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals, while Germany had a tougher match against Algeria that was decided in extra-time.

Mats Hummels returned to the line-up for Germany after missing the match against Algeria due to illness.  His presence was quite influential as the centerback kept Benzeman quiet in the first-half and scored an early goal to give Germany the lead.  Toni Kroos played a free-kick into the box and Hummels won the header at the far-post for the goal (13').

Miroslav Klose was also in the starting line-up for Germany with Özil and Müller as the two other attacking players.  Müller was active in the offense as always, but Klose was less impressive.  The veteran striker scored an important goal against Ghana in the group stage, but has not been as effective in the knock-out rounds.

Benzema was the lone striker for France with Valbuena and Griezmann on the outside.  Benzema had a pretty good game and was on the ball often in the German box.  However Hummels and keeper Neuer had his number and kept Benzema off the score-sheet.  Giroud came into the match late for France as a goal was the only way to stay alive in the World Cup.  He was not given much time though, and he was also unable to score.

Germany were much better today against France than they were against Algeria.  The return of Hummels was a big part of that, but today we also saw for the first time in the tournament Philipp Lahm  starting at rightback.  Previously he has been playing defensive midfield with Boateng in the rightback position.  We will have to wait and see where he plays in the semi-final match against either Brazil or Columbia.

Germany Fends Off Algeria

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Germany and Algeria played the second round of 16 match today for a place in the quarter-final against France.  Nigeria were dispatched earlier in the day and Algeria would be the only African team left if they could knock out the European giants.

Algeria had a much better start to the game and had the German defense scrambling to cover their counter-attacks.  Germany did not look sound in the back, but did enough to stop the Algerians.  The German offense eventually settled into the match late in the first-half, but could not break through.

André Shürrle was introduced after half-time in place of Mario Götze who started the match.  Shürrle was more effective offensively and more willing to help defend.  Germany as a whole played better in second-half with Shürrle on the field and his influence was crucial later in the game.

Algeria's offense started to look less and less threatening as Germany started to build momentum.  Neither scored in regulation though, and extra-time was required for the third time in six matches.  The first two extra-time matches did not produce a winning goal and were settled by penalties.

However Germany were quick to score in extra-time when Müller linked up with Shürrle.  Müller rolled into the path of Shürrle inside the box that was played just a bit behind the substitute.  Shürrle was able to drag his back leg and get his back heel on the ball to beat the keeper (92').

Mesut Özil added another goal near the end of extra-time to reinforce Germany's victory.  Algeria could not afford to keep numbers in defense and Shürrle pushed forward with Özil to get behind that weakened defense.  First Shürrle fired a shot on goal that was blocked.  The rebound fell to Özil who smashed the shot in from close range (119').

That second goal proved to be huge for Germany as Algeria surprisingly had a late goal in them.  With their last effort Algeria pushed forward and a cross to the far post was played right into the path of Abdelmoumene Djabou who scored (120 +1').  There simply wasn't enough time to even try to get a second goal and Algeria will follow Nigeria out of the World Cup.

Germany will face France in the quarter-finals and will need to sort out some defensive problems.  Mertesacker is getting beaten offen by faster players and keeper Neuer was forced off his line time and time again to snuff out attacks.  It is likely the Hummels will return to the line up for the next match after missing today's game which will be an improvement.  But will Klose be involved is another question that remains uncertain.