Netherlands Take Third Place, Brazil Finish Fourth

 0-3 

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.

German Goals Galore, Brazil Embarrassed

 1-7 

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.

Colombia Fall To Brazil, Neymar Needs Stretcher

 2-1 

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.

Brazil Barely Escape Clash With Chile

(3-2pen.)1-1

The group stage is over and in the knock-out rounds it's win or go home.  Host nation Brazil were in action for the first elimination match against Chile today.  Brazil beat Croatia and Cameroon and tied Mexico to win Group A, while Chile beat Spain and Australia and lost to the Netherlands to finish second in Group B.

Brazil took the lead in the first-half off a set-piece.  Neymar played a corner-kick into the box and Thiago Silva got a head on the ball to flick it on to the far-post.  David Luiz was waiting at the far-post and was guarded by Chile's Gonzalo Jara.  After the ball was flicked-on to the far-post it ended up in the back of the net.  David Luiz claimed the goal and gets credit in the official scoresheet, but in reality the final touch came off Jara and should be ruled an own-goal (18').

Chile responded and scored the equalizer on a Brazil turn-over.  Marcelo threw the ball into Hulk whose bad first touch gave the ball to Eduardo Vargas.  The Chilean forward quickly played Alexi Sanchez in-on-goal and he beat the keeper with a shot to the far-post (32').

The first-half ended even and at the start of the second-half Brazil created a very promising attack.  A ball into the box found Hulk and the forward was able to bring the ball down and put it in the net.  However the goal was disallowed as Hulk used his arm to trap the ball before the shot.

After that close chance for Brazil the momentum completely shifted in Chile's favor.  The crowd noticed the change as well and tension began to build for the Brazilian fans and players.  They weathered the storm though and regulation ended tied at one goal apiece.

Brazil were more authoritative in extra-time and kept Chile pinned back in their defensive third for the majority of the additional time.  They could not score though and nearly gave up the losing goal on the last effort from Chile.  Mauricio Pinilla came into the match late and found himself in space inside the Brazilian box.  His shot was just inches too high and rattled the crossbar to end the extra-time still level.

The penalty shootout could have gone either way, but keeper Julio César saved the first two shots from Chile to give Brazil a huge advantage.  David Luiz, Marcelo, and Neymar scored penalties for Brazil putting all the pressure on Gonzalo Jara taking the last shot for Chile.  Jara's shot caught the inside of the post but ricocheted out to give Brazil the win.  It was a nervous finish for the host nation, but now they can take a deep breath and relax until their next match.

Mexico Finish Off Croatia, Brazil Handle Cameroon

 1-3 

Croatia and Mexico met for the last match in group play, simultaniously kicking-off at the same time as Brazil and Cameroon.  Predictably Brazil took care of Cameroon who lost their first two matches and were therefore mathematically eliminated.  At the start of the match Mexico had four points to Croatia's three meaning a tie would put Mexico through to the knock-out round.

The first-half ended without a goal for either side which favored Mexico.  The pressure was on Croatia to score, needing to win in order to escape the group stage.  Croatian coach Niko Kovač made two changes in the second-half trying to get that necessary goal.  The first change was for the left-back Vrsaljko getting replaced by the midfielder Kovačić.  Later Olić was taken out for the younger forward Rebić.

The goals did not come for Croatia however, as Mexico scored three in the last twenty minutes.  Captain Rafa Marquez rose up to out-jump Croatian defender Corluka to win a header on a corner-kick (72').  Marquez had caused a few turn-overs earlier, but more than made up for himself by scoring the crucial go-ahead goal.

Moments later Mexico stretched the lead on a counter-attack led by substitute Chicharito Hernández.  With Croatia pressed high up the pitch, Hernández had acres of space to push forward and picked out the run of Peralta along the right flank.  Peralta then played the ball across the box for Guardado making a late run.  Guardado kept his head down and hit the shot first-time to beat keeper Pletikosa (75').

Hernández scored a final goal for Mexico on another corner-kick.  Rafe Marquez was again in the box for the set-piece and again won the header.  This time however, he flicked the ball on to the far post where Hernández had a free header and an easy score (82').

Croatia managed to score one goal in the closing minutes of the match.  Rakatić played Perišić in-on-goal with a nice back-heel flick and Perišić was able to place his shot inside the far post (87').  The goal simply came too late for Croatia and if there was to be a comeback, Rebić made sure that did not happen when he was sent off.  Rebić was late with a challenge on Peña and the ref immediately showed him a red card.

Mexico finished second to Brazil in Group A while Croatia will follow Cameroon out of the tournament.  Brazil will face Chile for the first game in the knock-out round and Mexico will take on the Netherlands who won Group B.

Brazil-Mexico Tie, Ochoa Outstanding

 0-0 

Group A returned to action today with host nation Brazil taking on Mexico.  Both teams won their first matches, Brazil beating Croatia and Mexico beating Cameroon.  Today in Fontaleza Mexico came out with the exact same line-up as the previous match that ended in success.  Brazil too fielded nearly the same line-up as before with the exception of Ramires starting in place of the injured Hulk.

Not having Hulk in the line-up seemed to hurt the host nation.  Together Neymar and Fred had several close chances to score, but failed to find the net.  Nor could Jo, who replaced Fred in the second-half.  Thiago Silva had one of the best chances late in the match on a corner-kick for Brazil.  The captain was left unmarked in the box and won a free header.  He was denied by the Mexico keeper though, who came away with a clean sheet.

Guillermo Ochoa, the Mexico keeper, was undoubtedly the man of the match.  Four or five times Ochoa made outstanding plays to deny goals for Brazil.  The back line in front of him also played well with veteran captain Rafa Márquez keeping them organized.  Goal scoring is still a concern for Mexico who again used Chicharito Hernández off the bench.  

Brazil supporters are likely to be disappointed with the scoreless result, but should still be considered favorites to win the group with Cameroon left to play.  Mexico on the other hand should be pleased with taking one point away from the match.  Of course their next match will be against Croatia and should be approached as a must-win game.

Obvious Dive Gives Brazil Go-Ahead Goal

 3-1 

Host nation Brazil were featured in the 2014 World Cup kick-off match today against a tenacious Croatian team.  A lot of pressure is on Brazil to perform well, especially following the successful campaign last year in the Confederations Cup.

Despite the overwhelming support for the home team from the sea of yellow in the stands, Brazil fell behind in the opening moments of the match.  Croatian forward Ivica Olić made a long run up the left side and rolled a cross in front of Brazil's goal.  Striker Jelavić could only get a partial touch on the cross, sending the ball into defender Marcelo.  Unfortunately for the rightback the ball deflected off his foot into Brazil's net for an own-goal (11').

Brazil did not panic and as the first-half rolled along they started to test the Croatian keeper.  Stipe Pletikosa blocked the first shots from Paulinho and Oscar, but could not turn away the shot from Neymar.  From outside the box Neymar sent a rather weak shot towards goal that was just out of reach for Pletikosa, leveling the score (29').

The first-half ended without further incident and after the half-time break Croatia came out with a more physical approach.  The change in tactics was effective at slowing down the flow of the Brazilian offense until the referee made a terrible mistake that drastically impacted the match.  Brazilian striker Fred made an obvious dive inside the box, but the referee bought it.

Instead of a yellow card to Fred for simulation, defender Lovren was shown a card and Brazil were awarded a penalty.  Neymar took the shot from the spot and scored the go-ahead goal (71').  Keeper Pletikosa actually got both hands on the shot, but could not keep the ball out of the net.

In the final moments of the match Brazil added an insurance goal when Oscar made a break following a turnover in midfield.  Oscar managed to fire off a shot with a toe-poke to beat the keeper for the last goal of the match (90 +1').  Again Croatian keeper Pletikosa had a chance to make the stop on the play, only to come up empty due to slow reactions.

Brazil escape their first round match with an unconvincing win.  Forwards Fred and Hulk were both rather subdued throughout the match and keeper Julio César did not look very confident in front of goal.  Croatia on the other hand were quite fluid through the midfield and will have Mario Mandzukić back for the next match.  Their biggest concern right now will be whether or not to make a change at keeper going forward.

France Mount Come-Back for World Cup Finals

 3-0 

(3-2) Aggregate               

France came into today's World Cup qualifier down two goal to the Ukraine after a scoreless effort in Kiev on Friday.  Each team had a player sent off in the first meeting, Koscielny for France and Kucher for Ukraine, and France especially felt the need to make other changes to the line-up.  Benzema and Valbuena started over Giroud and Nasri which gave the offense much more energy.  The most important changes proved to be in the defense though, with Sakho and Varane replacing Abidal and Koscienly.

Playing in front of their home fans France were much more lively than the first meeting and created all the early chances.  Centerback Sakho benefited from a shot by Ribèry that was saved by the Ukraine keeper.  Pyatov did well to stop the initial shot, but the rebound fell right for Sakho who was waiting in the right place (22').

France kept the pressure on the Ukraine and racked up more shots.  Benzema had one goal denied by an offsides call that was shown to be an error on replay.  The missed call didn't make much difference however, and Benzema scored a clean goal moments later.  Cabaye sent a skipping shot towards goal that was deflected right into the path of Benzema for the finish (34').

The second goal leveled the aggregate score, but the Ukaine could still put the pressure back on France with one crucial away-goal.  Neither side made any changes at half-time as both mangers felt their squads were sound.  Unfortunately for the Ukraine a costly mistake by centerback Khacheridi left them short-handed for the remainder of the match.  Khacheridi had seen a yellow card in the first-half and saw a second following a foul on Ribèry just minutes after the break.

With an extra man to their advantage France were able to keep the pressure on the Ukraine and score the deciding goal.  Sakho took credit for the goal, though it was tough to see if the goal was not an own-goal scored by Rakitskiy.  Sakho was right behind the defender as the cross came in, and the ball ended up in the net which is all France truly cared about (72').

The Ukraine could not grind out a goal and will go home with heavy hearts coming just short of a World Cup appearance.  France were not the only nation to secure a spot in Brazil today as Portugal, Greece, and Croatia all won their playoff matches.  

Brazil Head to Confederations Cup Final

2-1

South American neighbors Brazil and Uruguay met in the semifinals of the 2013 Confederations Cup.  Brazil were perfect in the group stage of the tournament, beating Japan, Mexico, and Italy.  Today Uruguay gave them a tough test and Brazil were lucky not to fall behind early in the match.

Defender David Luiz conceded a penalty after he was caught pulling down Uruguay's Lugano during a corner-kick.  Diego Forlan elected to take the penalty shot, but Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar blocked the shot and kept the game scoreless.

Near the end of the first-half the deadlock was broken when striker Fred put Brazil in front.  Neymar first poked a shot at goal and, coming off his line, Uruguay keeper Muslera parried it away.  The block did not clear the box though and Fred was able to finish the loose ball on an empty net (41').  

Uruguay were quick to equalize after the half-time break thanks to a poor decision by Luiz Gustavo.  Rather than just sending his clearance far down field, he tried to pass out of the back.  Unfortunately his pass went right to Cavani who seized the opportunity and leveled the score (48').  

The goal energized Uruguay and the match looked like it could go either way.  In the last moments of the game though, Brazil pulled back in front.  From a corner-kick, Paulinho won the header at the back-post and scored the deciding goal (86').

Brazil will face the winner of the other semifinal of Spain against Italy on Sunday.  A lot of pressure is on Brazil as the host nation to win, and the final promises to be an exciting match whoever they may face.