World Cup 2014: Updated Schedules and Picks for Semifinals Fixtures

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The semi-finals for the 2014 FIFA World Cup are now set, with tournament favourites Brazil and Argentina both contesting last-four games. They are joined by European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands.

Schedule Information

Schedule Information for World Cup SemifinalsEstadio Mineiaro, Belo HorizonteFIFA.com

Brazil's clash with Germany will be dominated by talk of how the hosts can cope without prolific forward Neymar Jr. The gifted attacker suffered a damaged vertebra following a grueling quarter-final against Colombia.

But Brazil's problems are not only in attack. Star centre-back Thiago Silva is also set to miss out, due to suspension. That could be a fatal blow against a fluid and creative German forward line led by Thomas Mueller.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images Being without both Neymar and Thiago Silva will doom Brazil.

Speaking of talented forward lines, Argentina's has been dealt a blow by the thigh injury sustained by Angel di Maria during the last-eight win over Belgium. The creative winger joins Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero on the treatment table.

At least Argentina still possess Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain. That pairing will try to match deadly Dutch duo Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.

Here are picks for the tournament's final four, beginning with Brazil against Germany.

Germany Will Overcome a Wounded Brazil

The Germans haven't exactly been in dominant form in the knockout phase. They edged past France by just a single goal in the last eight, following a similarly narrow victory over Algeria.

However, while they haven't been overpowering teams, negotiating big games at tournaments is just what the Germans do. They may not have won a major competition since 1996, but they have always been close, reaching the semifinal of the last two World Cups, as well as the final in 2002.

This time, Germany can go one step further and gain revenge for their 2-0 defeat to Brazil 12 years ago. Neymar is a loss the hosts will struggle to overcome. A paucity of true quality in attack is the bane of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's team.

Michael Steele/Getty Images Brazil boss Luiz Felip Scolari has some key reshuffling to do, both in attack and defence.

Neymar was the one positive in an otherwise limp attacking unit populated by disappointing players such as Fred and Hulk. Neymar's injury has not only rocked Scolari's squad, it also seems to have disturbed the psyche of the host nation's fans, according to Jonathan Wilson of The Observer:

Yesterday's papers said it all. Brazil may have reached the semi-final of the World Cup on Friday night, but yesterday the full cost of their quarter-final victory over Colombia was being counted. Neymar, the 22-year-old star of this tournament, the player who has borne the weight of Brazilian expectation with extraordinary calm and good grace, is out of the World Cup, having suffered a fractured vertebra. Perhaps it was coincidence, but when somebody in an apartment in Copacabana, four blocks from the beachside fan park, began playing Barber's Adagio for Strings on a loop, it seemed entirely in keeping with the general mood.

Germany can take advantage of any nerves, provided their own attacking unit delivers. That should mean trusting Mueller as the de facto striker and flanking him with attacking midfielders.

That's the dynamic that seems to suit this team best.  If Mueller gets the right support, he can spark Germany to another narrow win.

Predicted Final Score: Brazil 0-1 Germany

Messi Will Inspire Argentina to the Final

Argentina will only go as far as Messi can take them. Fortunately, the world's best player has been in good form during this tournament.

Messi will deliver another strong performance to help see off the Netherlands. The pint-sized FC Barcelona ace is playing with a genuine exuberance at these finals.

The trademark quick turns and frightening pace have been on display, striking fear into opposing defences. But as good as Messi has been, he is also receiving credible support, as BBC Sport reporter Ben Smith noted following the single-goal win over Belgium:

While much of the attention was taken by Messi's pirouettes, body swerves and delightfully clipped passes, Argentina are a team that know how to disrupt rhythm and dismantle systems.

Javier Mascherano provides the bite, to Messi's ballet, in midfield. They are also defensively sound, they can battle, they can play. It was testament to their defensive solidity that Belgium resorted to aiming long balls at Fellaini and Daniel van Buyten in a desperate final 10 minutes.

Mascherano could well prove to be a key figure against the Dutch. Robben, Van Persie and others love to break at pace, something Mascherano can disrupt from his deep-lying midfield position.

He was outstanding against the Belgians, actively seeking out and destroying opposition attempts to sustain possession. Mascherano can't let the Netherlands own the ball the way manager Louis van Gaal loves his team to do.

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images Javier Mascherano was brilliant against Belgium.

It will also be important for Higuain to build on his excellent quarter-final display. The Napoli striker is superb at leading the line and provides a powerful foil for Messi's dazzling wizardry.

Higuain has combined well with Messi at this tournament. If he's on top form again, Argentina will have too much for the Netherlands.

The Dutch defence can be exploited, as players such as central stopper Ron Vlaar lack credible pace. Although Argentina have yet to be as prolific as their forward talent would indicate, Messi and Higuain can decide any game in an instant.

Predicted Final Score: Netherlands 1-2 Argentina

Home fans will be denied an all-South American final between bitter rivals Brazil and Argentina. To make matters worse, Brazil supporters may well have to endure the sight of Messi inspiring Argentina to lift the trophy at the Maracana on Sunday, July 13.


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Argentina Fans Celebrate Neymar's Injury by Singing, Dancing with Plastic Spine

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Neymar is 22 years old, already the face of Brazilian football, and he has carried his team into the World Cup semi-finals. He's also been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a fractured vertebrae.

Fans of Argentina, Brazil's chief South American rivals and fellow semi-finalists, have reacted in a couple of different ways. Some went the classy route, holding up a "Fuerza Neymar" banner outside the stadium.

Others, as you can see in the video above, took the more tasteless approach of dancing around with a plastic spine.

[H/T Yahoo]


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World Cup 2014: Ranking Every Goal from Quarter-Final Games

While this summer’s World Cup has drawn great praise for the high amount of goals being scored in each game, the quarter-final matches have been much tighter affairs.


Argentina enjoyed a slim victory over Belgium, scoring early in their quarter-final clash and holding on for the rest of the game to claim a 1-0 win.


Netherlands and Costa Rica failed to score at all in their quarter-final outing. The game had to be settled by a penalty shootout, which the Oranje won in the end.


It was a single goal that saw Germany see past France to reach the World Cup semi-final for a fourth consecutive time in the prestigious tournament.


Brazil’s win against Colombia saw more goals being scored in their game than the rest of the quarter-final matches put together, but it was still a narrow win that sealed it for the host nation.


It means Brazil vs. Germany and Netherlands vs. Argentina are the 2014 World Cup semi-final fixtures.


While there’s only been a small selection of goals in the World Cup quarter-finals, there have still been some Goal of the Tournament contenders. Here, we recap all the goals scored in every quarter-final game, building up to the best goal of the last eight.


Brazil captain Thiago Silva couldn’t believe his luck when he opened up his World Cup account against Colombia at the Estadio Castelao.


The talented centre-back scored the opening goal in his country’s 2-1 win against their South American rivals, but it was far from pretty. A corner from Neymar on the left-hand side wasn’t dealt with by the Colombian defenders in the box, and Silva was on hand to bundle it in at the far post using his knee.


Letting the ball bounce in the area from a set piece is deemed a cardinal sin by football experts, and Silva’s goal shows exactly why.


Colombia’s failure to head the ball away while it was in the air led to the Paris Saint-Germain centre-back being unmarked at the far post, to gratefully put the ball into the back of the net using any part of his anatomy possible.


Colombia forward James Rodriguez, who has been arguably the tournament’s best player, scored a spot kick in the 2-1 defeat against Brazil, in what was his last involvement in this summer’s World Cup.


For the penalty, the 22-year-old fed substitute Carlos Bacca in the area, who rounded Brazil keeper Julio Cesar before being taken out by the Queens Park Rangers man.


Rodriguez sent Cesar the wrong way with his penalty to halve the deficit, but it wasn’t enough for Colombia, and the South Americans bowed out in the quarter-finals.


Germany defender Mats Hummels scored a brilliant headed effort against France to earn victory for the Eagles at the Estadio do Maracana.


The Dortmund centre-back fought off French defender Raphael Varane to cleverly steer Toni Kroos’ free-kick into the far corner via the crossbar.


His goal came in just the 12th minute, but it was an effort worthy of winning any game. Hummels had to fend off the strong attentions of Varane while ensuring he kept his composure to glance his header upwards to beat French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.


Bleacher Report UK has the Vine:



After going four games without scoring for Argentina in this summer‘s World Cup, Gonzalo Higuain’s first goal of the tournament was certainly worth the wait.


The 26-year-old opened his account with a brilliant volleyed effort against Belgium at the Estadio Nacional. In the eighth minute of the game, a deflected Angel di Maria pass inadvertently found its way to Higuain on the bounce in the area, and the Real Madrid striker volleyed on the spin into the far corner, giving Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois no chance.


Higuain’s goal turned out to be a decisive one as Argentina booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 24 years.


Brazil defender David Luiz scored the best goal of the quarter-finals with a brilliant long-range free-kick against Colombia.


After a free-kick was awarded to Brazil for a foul on Hulk from Colombia’s James Rodriguez, David Luiz made him pay in the worst way possible.


The new Paris Saint-Germain centre-back was around 30 yards from goal in a central position, but the distance seemed too great to test the goalkeeper.


However, Luiz rejected such a notion and found the top corner with a trademark side-footed effort that rose above the wall and dipped in time to ripple the back of the net.


His celebration was as entertaining as the goal itself, and it will certainly be a Goal of the Tournament contender.


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Di Maria Injury Raises Tactical Questions for Argentina

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Argentina are back. After no less than 24 years out of the World Cup semi-finals, the Albiceleste took down Belgium 1-0 in Brasilia to book their place amongst the top four. More encouragingly, they did so with a style and control that marked a vast improvement over what we had seen earlier from one of the tournament's favourites. 

In spite of the victory, however, coach Alejandro Sabella knows that his team will need to show even more to continue their steady progression in Brazil. 

"I think that, in terms of the balance we showed and the football we played, it was our best match so far. Our performance was excellent tactically, strategically and in how a team should behave, with team-mates putting themselves on the line for each other," the trainer told reporters in the post-match press conference, per FIFA.com

"We’ve achieved our minimum objective, which was to reach the last four, but we want more. That’s what we’ve come for."

For all their wonderful attacking talent, the Albiceleste have shown little during their steady run to the semis. Captain Lionel Messi has been the focal point of almost everything the nation have done right in the World Cup, with sporadic contributions from his support men around him. 

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

The display against Belgium, moreover, was a mixed blessing. The appearance of the Gonzalo Higuain that relishes in hitting the back of the net for Napoli, and not the lost sheep seen in the opening games of the competition, is a big boost. But a big question mark was placed over the side when Angel Di Maria pulled up 30 minutes into the match. 

Prior to his injury, the Real Madrid star had been one of the bright points of an impressive start for the South Americans. Sabella chose to once more play him on the opposite flank, coming in from the right while Ezequiel Lavezzi mirrored his movements in his more habitual position. 

Di Maria's movement off the wing unbalanced Belgium, and it was his intelligent pass deflected into Higuain's path that allowed Pipita to score what proved to be the decisive goal. But the panorama darkened when he overworked his abductor trying to spiral a shot past the attentions of Vincent Kompany. 

Initial reports suggest that the winger's World Cup has come to a premature end, although Argentina will most likely wait until official tests are carried out on Sunday before confirming his exit. But whether he misses just the semi-final or the rest of the competition, the news is a bitter blow for his nation. 

Di Maria, along with Messi, is one of the two players in the team who have shown they can unlock defences on a whim. A major tactical rethink will be needed if Argentina are to recover from the setback and continue their path to the final. 

Sergio Aguero's own recovery from injury will have to be stepped up, although it would be a fantastic risk throwing the Manchester City man back into action so soon after limping off against Nigeria. In terms of direct replacements, Inter's Ricky Alvarez has some of the ability on the ball and unorthodox style possessed by Di Maria, while Maxi Rodriguez's experience and temperament makes him another logical choice. 

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Messi, meanwhile, would most likely see his own game shift closer to the centre-circle than the penalty area. The Barcelona man needs to fill the creative void left by his adversary at club level, and although it would impact negatively on his own ability to break down defences it is a valid option for the team. 

It is not exactly checkmate for a side full of attacking ability. But should Di Maria be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, it would certainly hurt Argentina as they prepare for an all-out assault on the World Cup. Celebrations will continue for now after taking their place in the semi-final but much greater challenges still lie ahead. 


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Colombia, Argentina Unofficially Top FIFA Rankings After World Cup Round of 16

Now that the field has been whittled down to a final eight contenders to lift the World Cup, who is the hottest team based on FIFA's rankings?
Spain were the world's top-ranked side entering the tournament but crashed out prematurely after a highly disappointing group-stage effort.
Entering the round of 16, Colombia surged atop FIFA's unofficial rankings of the remaining sides.
We've recalculated with the remaining eight, and Colombia and Argentina are tied at the top with Belgium and with Germany tied behind them in third place.
B/R UK
As FIFA counts penalty-shootout wins as draws from a points perspective, Costa Rica and Brazil's points were unchanged, as both sides advanced in a shootout.
Ratings calculated using FIFA's prognosis tool.

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France vs. Germany betting odds, World Cup prediction and match preview

Germany has it semifinals three on the World Cup just once, and they are of sports betting to do favorites so back to France.

However, the German giant has less than impressive in the last three games saw. France got a good start in the World Cup, but they have also not big on the last play saw.

Sent the two teams from Africa in their round of 16 matches with Germany beat France and Germany Algeria 2-1 in the extension and France against Nigeria 2-0.

Bookmakers monitored have posted odds this quarterfinals match with France 2: 1 and a draw line of 5-2 to a 3-2 for Germany favored by odds shark.

Since 1996, France four has won the last six games against Germany.

None of these teams were in top form to stop in the last few hits. Nevertheless, France beat Nigeria in the final, and Germany has a bit of luck have done the same against Algeria.

The Germans have a good defense, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had occasions to the defense in the game Algeria from bailing out of the box.

Mats Hummels, who missed the game Algeria illness, available should be and must now against the French attack to play.

Karim Benzema, who leads with three goals saw the French synchronously in Nigeria game. Manager Didier Deschamps can learn from his mistake and Antoine Griezmann instead of Olivier Giroud front to start.

The French have in the middle of the pitch as the Germans do not the strength, but they have to push players forward that what they do in this match.

Thomas Muller and company were foiled, for the most part, in the Algeria game and they need more help from the midfield. You get it in this game, and the Defense played a much better match than their last.

If the German play, as they in their last game, they are however in trouble.

Germany is the favorite, but the French play better and have more confidence. A struggle of two peoples Europe's top football the Germans have more resolve, their string World Cup to keep intact semifinal appearances and win.

Germany vs. France forecast: 2: 1 Germany

Statistics and odds courtesy of odds shark.


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Argentina vs. Switzerland: Goals, Highlights for World Cup 2014 Round of 16 Game

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Argentina vs. Switzerland: Goals, Highlights for World Cup 2014 Round of 16 Game Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press
Argentina beat Switzerland 1-0 in Sao Paulo to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

The game went to extra-time, where Lionel Messi teed up Angel di Maria for the only goal of the game in the 118th minute.

There was still time for late drama as Blerim Dzemaili hit the post with a header.

In the first-half, Sergio Romero was called into action to deny Granit Xhaka.

Josip Drmic then spurned a great opportunity as he opted to try to lob Romero.

Diego Benaglio was finally called into action in the second-half when Marcos Rojo tested him.

The Swiss custodian then tipped over from Gonzalo Higuain.

Messi tried to put his stamp on the game but fired just over the crossbar.

The Barcelona superstar then fizzed a shot through a crowd that Benaglio did well to smother.

The only real chance in the first period of extra-time came was when Benaglio tipped over from Di Maria.

However, it was the Real Madrid man who set up a quarter-final with either Belgium or the United States on Saturday.


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