Germany 1-0 France The Powerful Europeans Face to Face

Germany 1-0 France The Powerful Europeans Face to Face

Deutschland Got The Upper Hand From The Start

Players From Both National Teams France and Germany

One thing for certain on Friday is that a South American team and a European team will secure their spots in the World Cup semifinals.

A pair of 22-year-old forwards who have been among the stand-out players of the tournament go head-to-head when Neymar’s Brazil takes on a James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia team that has won all four of its games so far. The host nation is relying on Neymar to deliver again, and keep Brazil on course for a sixth World Cup title.

Germany and France have had some memorable meetings in World Cup matches, and both are former champions. The current French team is vastly less experienced than Germany, which has reached at least the semifinals of each major competition since the 2008 European Championships. France is rebuilding and has not reached any semifinal since its run to the 2006 World Cup final, but is showing glimpses of great promise in Brazil.

Germany 1-0 France The Powerful Europeans Face to Face

The Maracana is where both teams hope to shake off uninspiring second-round wins that exposed some frailties.

Contesting a quarterfinal for the ninth straight World Cup, the Germans will start as slight favorites because of their experience but with doubts surrounding a slow, porous defense that was breached repeatedly in the 2-1 extra-time victory over Algeria on Monday.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was forced to play a sweeper role to ensure Joachim Loew’s lineup avoided a shocking defeat to the Algerians.

The French left it late against Nigeria, scoring twice in the last 11 minutes to win 2-0 in a gritty performance that didn’t live up to the attacking exhibitions they put on in the group stage.

Face to Face Germany 1-0 France The Powerful Europeans   

Germany opened with a 4-0 victory over Portugal that immediately put them near the top of contenders for the title, but hasn’t reproduced anything close to being that clinical since.

Defense undoubtedly is Loew’s chief concern, although the probable return of Mats Hummels at center back after illness will make up for the loss of Shkodran Mustafi for the rest of the tournament with a left hamstring injury. On the eve of the match, Loew said seven of his players had been struggling with sore throats and illness, but he predicted all would be available for selection.

Veteran Germany striker Miroslav Klose may get another chance to break the World Cup scoring record of 15 goals that he shares with Brazil great Ronaldo. Klose is likely to start on the bench behind Thomas Mueller.

There may be a change in the center of France’s defense, with Mamadou Sakho available again after a hamstring problem. There’s also speculation over who will partner with Karim Benzema in attack, with Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann in consideration.

The Powerful Europeans Face to Face Germany 1-0 France 

Any time France and Germany meet, memories are revived of their famous clash in the World Cup semifinals in 1982 when West Germany came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 and win the shootout. In that game, West Germany goalkeeper Toni Schumacher rushed out of his area and broke the jaw of Patrick Battiston with a feet-first tackle that was not punished.

West Germany also beat France 2-0 in the 1986 World Cup semifinals, but France has won four of its six matches since German reunification in 1990.

A good game, but it didn’t develop into a classic as hoped. More 1986 than 1982. The exhausting heat didn’t help. France didn’t have enough guile to break Germany down. Germany were comfortable for long periods of the match. They should have made it 2-0 at the end.

It was a very professional performance by Löw’s much-changed crew. Not beautiful, but effective. The Germans go through to a semi-final against either Colombia, or Men on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (aka ‘Brazil’).

France didn’t have enough variety in attack to really test Lahm & co. They relied too much on long balls into expected space, where it turned out Lahm left no space at all. In the second half, France relied too much on getting the ball to Benzema and hoping he would get something. He nearly did.

 The French players are gutted. Some are in tears. They’ve had a good World Cup. It’s a young team. Their chance may come in 4 years’ time – or in 2, when France hosts the European championship.

13min: Bastian Schweinsteiger lofts a free-kick towards the back post where Mats Hummels uses his strength to shrug off Raphael Varane, before nodding the ball into the top corner with a glancing header. Excellent set-piece goal.https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/AC5E6A486B1096878941375209472_2caebc231b7.1.0.13855762487917456544.mp4?versionId=_munmJKw8TExtzGprZlaZT4x3APo6DKe

How far can Germany go? They can still improve in attack. But their defense looked much better today. The final looks within reach for them.

Colombia 2-0 Uruguay Two From James Rodriguez Ended 3 Million Dreams

Colombia 2-0 Uruguay Two From James Rodriguez Ended 3 Million Dreams

The Celestes Tried But Ultimately The Cafeteros Advanced To Quarter Finals

Edinson Cavani And James Rodriguez, Forwards From Both National Teams

The clash between Colombia and Uruguay was plagued with controversy even before it started due to the decision made by FIFA to send Uruguay's star striker Luis Suarez home after he was proven to have shown conduct unbecoming of a sportsman by biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in their final group stage match.  Things did not look any better for Uruguay as they were all sent home to follow Luis Suarez back to Uruguay when Colombia defeated them in the round of 16.

Colombia 2-0 Uruguay Two From James Rodriguez Ended 3 Million Dreams

James Rodriguez was the culprit as he scored a brace against Uruguay to put Colombia through to the quarterfinals where they will be going up against host nation Brazil.

With 8 out of 16 teams in the knockout stage from the Americas, it was inevitable that some of them would cancel each other out. Such was the case for Brazil who took out Chile and the same happened with Colombia and Uruguay.

Rodriguez scored a goal on the 28th minute and Uruguay were quick to attempt a counter attack only to be thwarted by flawless defending by the Colombians. Rodriguez stuck another goal five minutes into the second half which put the Colombians up 2-0 with plenty of time for Uruguay to fight back. The 22-year old is quickly becoming one of the revelations of this World Cup.

Two From James Rodriguez Ended 3 Million Dreams Colombia 2-0 Uruguay 

"It's historic, a dream come true: I always wanted to score in the Maracana and now I have. If you want to win, every player is important. Uruguay had a lot of men behind the ball, so we needed plenty of movement up front and we got it. Now things are going to get even harder, but we can go far" said man of the match James Rodriguez in the post-match press conference.

Uruguay kept pressing on making 16 attempts at goal in contrast to Colombia's 10. However, despite furious attempts, Colombia were able to rely on superior defending and goalkeeping to hold Uruguay down to a blank slate.

"We had to take risks to reduce the deficit, but we came up against a 'keeper who performed extraordinarily well and didn't let us back into the match. But I'm proud of these players: once again they showed character and gave it their all." said Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay's coach about their failure to break through Colombia's defence.

James Rodriguez Ended 3 Million Dreams Colombia 2-0 Uruguay 

Brazil 1(3) -1(2) Chile The Favorite Were On The Brink Of Elimination

Brazil 1(3) -1(2) Chile The Favorite Were On The Brink Of Elimination

Ultimately They Got Better Luck On The Penalty Kicks

Julio Cesar Holding Off Alexis Sanchez Penalty Kick

Amidst a sea of red and yellow in Belo Horizonte, Chilean hearts were broken as the hosts Brazil narrowly won on penalties 3-2 with former Nottingham forest defender Gonzalo Jara missing the key, final penalty.

Brazil started with a similar team to the previous matches but Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho made his first start of the World Cup, while Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez – who may have played his last game for the Catalans – started in attack for Chile.

Brazil 1(3) -1(2) Chile The Favorite Were On The Brink Of Elimination

The hosts were on top straight away and broke the deadlock within 17 minutes as David Luiz appeared to knock the ball over the line from a corner but Chile pegged Brazil back as their pressing finally paid off and Alexis Sanchez scored to equalise on half an hour.

Brazil started well with a whole country firing behind them. Neymar made a couple of early breaks with pace but his main impact on the game came on 17 minutes. His corner was flicked on by Thiago Silva towards Luiz at the back post who appeared to bundle the ball over the line. He appeared in complete shock but the roof was raised in Belo Horizonte.

Chile were back level just 13mins later though as Marcelo and Hulk messed up from a throw-in next to their own penalty area. A loose ball back into the 18-yard box was pounced on by Sanchez, who calmly passed the ball into the far corner to level the game.

Neymar was Brazil’s main threat and almost gave them an instant lead after a flying header was deflected wide. This game has had it all so far. He unlocked the Chileans again a couple of minutes later, dribbling through two players and creating a chance for Fred, who skied his shot.

The Favorite Were On The Brink Of Elimination

As half-time edged closer, Chile were pushing forward with real threat and Sanchez was cutting them to pieces. This was utterly mesmerising, full of entertainment and at least another 45 minutes to go.

On 54 minutes, the roof had erupted once again as Hulk controlled a deep cross and sliced his finish into the far corner. He ran away celebrating but Howard Webb spotted his linesman’s flag, disallowed the goal and booked the Zenit man for handball. A huge call.

Around the hour mark, Chile were looking in control with Julio Cesar making a point-blank save from Charles Aranguiz. The hosts looked a little flat after the disallowed goal.

Little under 10 minutes remaining on the clock, the hosts had pushed Chile back and the off-form Hulk found some magic in his boots, dancing past two players and forcing a brilliant save from Claudio Bravo in the Chile net. This is tense, really tense.

Chile had one last chance before the game turned into extra time as Sanchez’s corner flew through the Brazil penalty area and out the other end for a throw-in. After 90 minutes of drama and tension, this game headed into another half-hour of football.

A third of the way into extra-time, both sides were clearly running on fumes with Chile’s high pressing slowing down and a lot of sloppy passes finding the wrong target in midfield. Hulk danced down the right wing and dinked a cross into Oscar whose header was easily collected by Bravo.

Willian made his way onto the pitch in place of his Chelsea teammate Oscar with 15 minutes of action left and both sides still locked at 1-1.

 On The Brink Of Elimination Brazil 1(3) -1(2) Chile 

The game had now become nitty gritty with lots of stoppages and both sides seemingly headed to a penalty shootout. There was still time for drama though as 30 seconds remaining in normal time, Mauricio Pinilla played a neat one-two with Sanchez and smashed hit shot against the crossbar. Brazil were inches away from elimination.

And with that, we headed into penalties.

Brazil just edged through, winning 3-2, after Chile missed three penalties through Pinilla, Sanchez and, ultimately, Gonzalo Jara, who hit the post. Neymar, Luiz and Marcelo scored for the hosts in the most dramatic of finishes.

The World Cup's Host Secures Its Place As Leader Against Cameroon

The World Cup's Host Secures Its Place As Leader Against Cameroon

Expecting Saturday's Match Against Chile

David Luiz celebrating Fred's Goal with Neymar, Luiz Gustavo and Marcelo

Pre-tournament favorite Brazil beat Cameroon 4-1 here Monday to claim the top spot in Group A of the 2014 World Cup.

FC Barcelona Neymar contributed two goals as Brazil finished the group stage with seven out of nine possible points.

Mexico likewise netted seven points, but the Brazilians won the group based on goal differential.

The World Cup's Host Secures Its Place As Leader Against Cameroon

Brazil got off to a furious start in front of the 70,000 people packed into Brasilia's Mane Garrincha stadium, but eased off the gas within minutes, creating an opening for the nothing-to-lose African side.

Yet amid the Cameroonians' offensive flurry, Oscar broke away down the left side and spotted Neymar standing alone in front of the net.

Up 1-0 in the 17th minute after the first of Neymar's two goals, the Brazilians relaxed again and Cameroon began pressing.

Thiago Silva had to be alert to stop Nyom's centering pass from landing in the net and the ensuing corner kick set up a header by Matip that hit the post.

With Brazil in disarray, Nyom eluded Daniel Alves and connected with Matip, who was not to be denied a second time.

Host Secures Its Place Against Cameroon

Matip's tally in the 26th minute - Cameroon's first of the 2014 competition - concentrated Brazil's attention and it took Neymar less than 10 minutes to score his second of the contest and put the South Americans ahead for good.

The Brazilians showed greater energy in the second half.

Fred scored just four minutes into the half to make it 3-1 and Cameroon's heart wasn't enough to make up for their technical deficiencies.

As Leader Against Cameroon The World Cup's Host Secures Its Place 

Fernandinho delivered the final blow with a goal in the 84th minute.

Brazil will face Chile in the first match of the knockout stage.

With Great Counterattacking Plays The Dutch Made Perfect Score Against Chile

There are only four days at any World Cup when it's possible for teams to play with their fates already decided, when a side can know before kickoff whether it will be heading home or sticking around.

Monday, when the Netherlands faced Chile in São Paulo, was the first of them here in Brazil.

And while a 2-0 victory for the Dutch didn't send Chile packing, it did condemn La Roja to a likely knockout-round matchup with Brazil for the second time in two World Cups. Brazil would top Group A by beating Cameroon later in the day.

The reward for the Netherlands' pair of late goals will be facing Group A's runner-up: Mexico. The result was entirely unaffected by Group B's other game—Spain beat Australia 3-0—since both sides were already eliminated.

"We are not really busy with that at the moment," said Netherlands winger Arjen Robben, who captained the side in place of the suspended Robin van Persie. "I think we have to enjoy this evening. We've won the game. We've done our job."

So much of the Dutch soccer tradition is built around keeping the ball, but the Oranje have taken the opposite approach with a counterattacking style—much to the chagrin of many fans back home before the tournament. But it's hard to argue with the results of coach Louis van Gaal's new system, which he only implemented in the past month. The Dutch are the first team at the tournament to qualify with the maximum nine points.

"This is the proof. We're not giving away very much and we're always creating," van Gaal said in Dutch. "And for a coach, it's nice to see that it's producing results. If that was not the case, you would have chopped off my head."

Still, even by those standards, van Gaal felt that his side surrendered too much possession throughout this dull game—Chile held the ball for more than twice as long as the Netherlands.

The difference came with a pair of second half substitutes. Leroy Fer of Norwich City put the Netherlands in front after 77 minutes with his first touch of the game, a header from a corner kick. Memphis Depay, a 20-year-old forward from PSV Eindhoven, made it 2-0 after he was teed up by Robben.

"We have analyzed this," van Gaal said. "Chile always gives you more space in the last 15 minutes."

Mexico Beats Croatia And Makes Its Place As Group A's 2nd Awaiting For Netherlands

All of the scoring came in the second half here Monday as Mexico defeated Croatia 3-1 to grab the second World Cup knockout stage berth from Group A.

The result left Mexico with seven points, the same as Brazil, but the host nation took first place in the group thanks to a larger goal differential.

"El Tri," whose next opponent will be Group B winner Holland, have advanced to the second round of every World Cup competition going back to 1994.

The Mexicans found the going rough in the first half on Monday, confronted by a tenacious Croatian side that clogged the middle of the field while launching offensive forays down the flanks.

When El Tri crossed the midfield line, they were confronted by a defensive wall that left shots from distance as the only option.

Rafael Marquez broke the scoreless tie in the 72nd minute, scoring with a header off a corner kick, and Andres Guardado doubled Mexico's lead just three minutes later.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored for Mexico at the 82nd-minute mark, followed by Ivan Perisic's consolation goal for Croatia in the 87th minute.

Suárez Makes Heroic Victory For Uruguay Meanwhile Costa Rica Surprises Italy And Qualifies First!

Just weeks after undergoing knee surgery, Luis Suarez scored both of Uruguay's goals here Thursday in a 2-1 victory over England.

The result leaves Uruguay with three points after two matches and a chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

The "dual of the desperate" between England and Uruguay unfolded in front of 62,572 spectators - including some 20,000 Uruguayans - at São Paulo's Arena Corinthians.

England had the better of the play for long periods in the first half, but were unable to finish.

The best chance belonged to Wayne Rooney, an accomplished scorer for Manchester United in the Premier League and England international since 2006 who came into Thursday's contest with no goals in World Cup play.

Rooney's thundering shot after teammate Danny Welbeck was fouled sailed less than three feet over the top of the net.

 Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge also had opportunities, yet it was Uruguay who struck first, on Suarez's header in the 39th minute off a beautiful ball from Edinson Cavani.

The South Americans dominated for the first 20 minutes or so of the second half, though to no avail, as both Suarez and Cavani squandered chances to double the lead.

England regrouped and began applying pressure. Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera needed cat-like reflexes to turn aside a point-blank shot from Rooney.

 The Man United stalwart would get another chance, however, and this time, he made no mistake, hammering the ball past Muslera at the 75-minute mark.

The sides traded blows, but the English had the edge and Muslera was tested by a shot from Sturridge, Suarez's Liverpool teammate and partner in the Premier League's most potent offensive.

Who else but Suarez to deliver the win for Uruguay, taking advantage of a defensive miscue to make it 2-1 in the 85th minute

Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process.

Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz gave his side the lead in the 44th minute, heading in off the underside of the crossbar following a cross from Junior Diaz. Goal-line technology was used to show that the ball bounced down and in after hitting the bar.

There was a frenetic end to the first half, as moments before Ruiz’s goal Costa Rica had a penalty appeal waved away when striker Joel Campbell was bundled over by Giorgio Chiellini.

Costa Rica leads Group D with six points, while Italy and Uruguay have three each before Tuesday’s showdown. England has zero points after losing to Italy and Uruguay.

So after entering the tournament as an expected underdog in a group featuring three former world champions, Costa Rica is now on top.

“Maybe there are a lot of people who didn’t have faith in us because we were in the ‘Group of Death.’ But the dead are the other ones and we’re going to the next round,” Ruiz said.

Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto was on the same wavelength.

“We have played a historic team. They’re really good,” he said. “They have wonderful players so, of course, we feel really proud. Our team feels proud, our country feels proud. We want to go even farther.”

COLOMBIA 2, IVORY COAST 1 Group C Has One Defined Leader

After their first World Cup victory in 16 years last Saturday, Colombia fans expressed their appreciation by giving Coach José Pékerman more than 400,000 write-in votes in Sunday’s presidential election.

That alone made the professorial Pékerman a national hero and his stature rose even higher Thursday when Colombia held on to beat Ivory Coast, 2-1, in a thrilling, wide-open Group C match at Estádio Nacional in front of a sea of fans wearing Colombian yellow shirts. That victory, combined with a subsequent 0-0 tie between Japan and Greece, propelled Colombia into the second round for the first time since 1990.

If the election were held again, Pékerman, who was born in Argentina and granted citizenship shortly after Colombia qualified for the World Cup, might double his vote tally. And should Colombia advance in the knockout stages, he might eventually have to change his designation to Mr. President.

 “It’s a little it funny, because football doesn’t have anything to do with being the leader of a country,” Pékerman said. “But I take it as an honor because this is payback for a lot of hard work. After a lot of frustration, it pleases us. Our nation is so passionate about its football that it hurts not to be on par with other countries.”

But after beating a talented Ivory Coast team in a harrowing 90 minutes of forward-minded soccer, Colombia is in a better position than some of the most renowned soccer-playing countries, including Spain, which has been eliminated, and England, which lost Thursday in crushing fashion to Uruguay, 2-1.

For several days leading up to this match, fans of Colombia, which neighbors Brazil, flooded into Brasilia, turning the stadium and the surrounding areas into a satellite Colombian city. The attendance was announced as 68,748, a record for the renovated stadium, and at least 90 percent seemed to be rooting for Colombia, a team that few believed would make much noise in Brazil.

Colombia’s ability to score was questioned since it was without its top-rated striker, Radamel Falcao, who was lost to a knee injury in January. But Colombia has more than made do without him, and its fans have made plenty of noise, both inside the stadiums and out.

First Colombia beat Greece, 3-0, with James Rodríguez scoring one of the goals.

The best soccer players in the world are converging in Brazil and The New York Times has you covered. We'll have a regular digest of news, highlights and context from Times reporters and editors.

On Thursday, Rodríguez, Colombia’s 22-year-old playmaker, scored the opening goal against Ivory Coast on a header off a corner kick in the 64th minute, and celebrated by doing a celebratory dance with his teammates along the touchline, as the fans made a deafening roar of delight.

“So many people rooting for you, it was extraordinary,” Rodríguez said. “It was very loud and it was in our favor so that Colombia could win.”

But the Ivorians found inspiration as well. During the national anthems, Serey Die was overcome with emotion and tears streamed down his cheeks. According to a press relations officer for Ivory Coast, Die’s father died in 2004, and he was thinking about him during the anthem.

Rodríguez’s goal came only four minutes after Ivory Coast brought in Didier Drogba, its most celebrated player, off the bench.

It is not true that more than 400.000 Colombians voted for Pékerman in Colombia’s presidential election last Sunday. Official reports early...

With Colombia leading, 1-0, Ivory Coast was careless when trying to bring the ball out of its own end, and was stripped. The ball was played forward to Teófilo Gutiérrez on a quick counterattack, and he pushed it forward on the right wing to Juan Quintero, who slotted into the goal with his left foot, initiating another dance.

With 20 minutes to play, things seemed bleak for Ivory Coast, but three minutes later its forward Gervinho scored a terrific goal, splitting two defenders near the side of the box and weaving around a third before powering home to the short side. His celebration was to urge his teammates back to the line for a kickoff, as time was running out.

There were several more opportunities for Ivory Coast late in the game, but Colombia held on for a victory that was destined to propel them where they had not been in 24 years.

“It is a huge pleasure to see Colombia at the World Cup after a long period of time,” Pékerman said. “Now, to have two consecutive victories, we have the tranquillity of 6 points.”

It Was a Tough Fight But Ultimately The Favorite Stood Its Ground ; Netherlands 3-2 Australia

In one of the most entertaining games of the tournament, the Netherlands produced the seventh come-from-behind win of the World Cup so far, rallying for a 3-2 win over Australia, who had themselves come from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead early in the second half on Wednesday.

With the win, the Netherlands move for the Round of 16 prior to the final round of group games, meanwhile Australia leaves the cup having no mathematical chances and expecting to make a final show against Spain next Monday.

The New York Red Bulls' Tim Cahill scored one of the best goals of the tournament with a left-footed volley to tie the game early in the first half, but he also received his second yellow card of the tournament and will be suspended for Australia's final group game, against Spain. Dutch star Robin van Persie scored the second Dutch goal but also received his second yellow card of the World Cup and will miss the Netherlands' group finale against Chile.

The Netherlands looked brilliant against Spain in their first match, but Wednesday was a different story. They were sloppy in possession and inaccurate in their passing for most of the game, leaving Australia at liberty to dictate possession and tempo, before the Dutch turned it on late. Whether it was because they didn’t expect the Socceroos to put up a fight or because they were still thinking about their rout of Spain, the Oranje looked out of sorts.

Cahill knows how to score goals – he had 11 in MLS last season – but sweet merciful God, Captain Australia’s 21st-minute strike was an absolute thunderbolt. After you pick your jaw up off the floor, the only question left to ask is whether Cahill’s strike unseats van Persie’s first against Spain as “Goal of the Tournament.”

Both Australia and the Netherlands suffered casualties on Wednesday. Cahill and van Persie will miss their teams’ next matches due to yellow-card accumulation, and the Netherlands will likely be without center back Bruno Martins Indi, who had to come off the field at the end of the first half on a stretcher.

Memphis Depay, Netherlands -- In just 45 minutes after replacing Martins Indi (Louis van Gaal switched the Netherlands from a 5-3-2 to a 4-3-3 with the sub), Depay assisted on the Oranje’s equalizer and scored the winning goal, even if Mathew Ryan should have done better on Depay’s long-range strike.

Chile 2-0 Spain After Two Defeats The King Has Lost Its Throne

The world champions are out. History. Kaput. Spain are gone. Tied first in departing this tournament, with Australia. Not in body, because there is still the matter of a meaningless final group game in Curitiba on Monday, but mathematically and in spirit. They trooped off the pitch in the Maracana Stadium last night, heads bowed, all resistance spent. After two games they have no points and a goal difference that reads 1-7. This truly is a seismic development for football.

It is the worst defence of a World Cup title in history, poorer even than Italy in South Africa four years ago. They, too, exited at the group stage, but at least their final game was live. Spain now travel Brazil a redundant embarrassment. Nobody wants to be one of those teams, the dead rubberers, fulfilling a fixture list simply because they must.

This will be the game that many say marks the end of the era of tiki-taka, too, but with that is raised a more existential question. Was there ever any such thing? Did tiki-taka create a great Spanish team, or was it merely itself the invention of 11 outstanding players.

And one in particular: Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona. We think systems make players, but perhaps it is the other way around. Holland have played great football since the era of Johann Cruyff, but has it ever again been total football?

And Spain will no doubt come again – but will it be with tiki-taka, or some new philosophy that simply suits their XI at the time. Diego Costa is most certainly not a disciple of tiki-taka. He is an old-fashioned target man, of the type that every English club once had.

Xavi, meanwhile, was dropped for this game, having been partly responsible for the 5-1 defeat by Holland last week. In his absence, others tried to recreate Spain’s style, but without success. Xabi Alonso had a terrible time and was substituted after 45 minutes. They tried to tiki, they tried to taka, but without Xavi at his peak it just wasn’t the same.

Chile were, by contrast, magnificent. It would be wrong to say they played without a philosophy, because they were superbly organised, pressed high and upset Spain’s rhythm beautifully.

Yet there is no catchy name for what Chile do, no books that are written on its rise, no credit given for changing modern football as Spain have done with their three straight tournament wins.

Jorge Sampaoli, an Argentinian, has simply got his team playing excellent, technical, hard-working football of the type that wins big matches, and maybe tournaments, too – unless the big guns of South America buck their ideas up here. Chile looked better than Argentina did at the Maracana on Sunday, and were an upgrade on either of Brazil’s two performances so far. They took their chances, defended manfully, ran to the point of exhaustion and showed great courage after half-time when Brazil threw the kitchen sink at them. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it certainly wasn’t fortunate. What happens now in the final game against Holland may depend on how keen either team is to avoid Brazil, who it is presumed will win Group A. If both teams go for the top spot in Group B on that presumption, it could be one of the matches of the tournament.

Fittingly, the Maracana is where this World Cup has found its truest, noisiest expression. Why Brazil have avoided coming here until the final, therefore, is a mystery. In their absence, the rest of the continent has taken residence – Chile raising the decibel level above even the crescendo of Argentina on Sunday. And that was before they took a two goal half-time lead against the world champions.

Spain had too much to lose, while Chile played like a team that could only be heroes. The exclusion of Xavi and defender Gerard Pique – but, fatefully, not goalkeeper Iker Casillas – spoke of the trauma suffered in the five goal defeat to Holland. Chile’s players, by contrast, spent the previous night socialising with friends and family at their beachfront hotel in Barra. It showed. In the second minute Gonzalo Jara headed an Alexis Sanchez corner just wide to roars of approval and the pattern was set. Chile were not in the least intimidated by this occasion. There were here to destroy some serious reputations.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2661724/Spain-0-2-Chile-World-champions-dumped-2014-World-Cup-sloppy-Iker-Casillas-display.html

Brazil Had Many Chances Against Mexico But Did Not Prove Worthy as Candidate To Raise The Cup

Needing a tie against Brazil to nose ahead of Croatia in the race for second in Group A, Mexico duly got one, holding the Selecao to a 0-0 draw in Fortaleza. This was hardly a repeat of the tournament's other 0-0 scoreline, however — it was a thrilling ride that saw both teams create (and waste) great chances to go ahead.

How did El Tri manage to hold the favourites scoreless? It had a lot to do with the outstanding performance of 'Memo' Guillermo Ochoa in goal, but perhaps more to do with the Selecao's flaws, which are becoming more obvious by the game.

Brazil (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho; Oscar, Neymar, Ramires; Fred.

Mexico (3-5-2): 'Memo' Guillermo Ochoa; 'Maza' Francisco Rodriguez, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno; Paul Aguilar, Hector Herrera, Jose Vazquez, Andres Guardado, Miguel Layun; Giovani dos Santos, Oribe Peralta.

We've seen 3-5-2 versus 4-2-3-1 already in this tournament, and just like in the first half of Argentina's win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the latter shape dominated play in the centre of the pitch but failed to find the net. That's probably where the similarities end, however. Alejandro Sabella's Argentina were looking to roll their opponents over, while here, Mexico's 3-5-2 was hoping to draw Brazil's fullbacks forward and hit them on the counterattack.

Ramires receiving a yellow card against Mexico, Photo credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

With Hulk injured, Luiz Felipe Scolari had a selection dilemma on the right wing. He chose Chelsea midfielder Ramires for the role, overlooking the likes of Bernard and Willian — the latter is particularly amusing because Willian is a regular starter ahead of Ramires at club level — and that decision backfired rather spectacularly, with Ramires contributing little but a yellow card before being hauled off at halftime.

Oscar was fielded on the left wing but constantly drifted inside to help keep possession in midfield, resolving one major issue from the Croatia game, but at the same time Oscar's movement left Brazil without a genuine threat on the left barring Marcelo's runs up the pitch — it was a sacrifice of control in the centre for attacking penetration. Against Croatia, Oscar attempted seven crosses as a right winger, but here he only tried three.

Brazil dominated possession, and despite Mexico coming close a number of times with speculative long-range efforts, it was clear which side was on top of the match: the hosts created the bulk of the real scoring chances, and Mexico (perhaps surprisingly, considering 

Dani Alves' aggressive positioning) weren't able to work any of the flank overloads that had served them so well against Cameroon. El Tri's first and only shot from inside the penalty area came in the 78th minute, by which point Memo Ochoa had made half a dozen saves.

"La Celeste" Makes a Stand This Thursday Against The British, After Falling 3-1 At The Hands of Costa Rica

Uruguay defender Diego Lugano has described the Group D meeting with England on Thursday as 'life or death'

Still smarting from a shock opening defeat, Uruguay’s coach and captain said on Monday they were working on how to annul England’s speedy strikers in a “life-or-death” Group D clash.

Although the 2010 World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay were surprisingly beaten 3-1 by Costa Rica on Saturday, many considered England hard done by in a 2-1 defeat by Italy after one of their best attacking performances under Roy Hodgson.

“England deserved better luck,” Uruguay’s coach, Óscar Tabárez, said after a training session at the team’s hotel in rolling countryside outside the town of Sete Lagoas.

“The English attackers showed their great technical potential. They’re fast in decision-making and running. We have to limit them, because they are going to repeat that offensive style against us,” he added.

Also known for their attacking prowess, Tabárez declined to confirm if striker Luis Suárez would start against England. The Liverpool forward has recovered from knee cartilage surgery but is short of match fitness and practice.

“It’s a possibility he will play, I can’t say more,” said Tabárez , known as El Maestro or “the Teacher” at home.

“It’s a tough game but not impossible. We need a victory in order to progress, they do too.”

Uruguay’s captain, the defender Diego Lugano, familiar with the English style from the Premier League where he plays for West Bromwich Albion, said the team was doubly motivated after their disappointing debut.

“It’s life or death on Thursday. We’re up against two of the best in the world now [England and Italy]. It’s an enormous challenge,” said Lugano, a veteran of the 2010 finals in South Africa where Uruguay finished in fourth place.

Expected to breeze past Costa Rica, the South Americans were devastated after their capitulation.

“We were annoyed, furious, disappointed,” Lugano said. “But you have to be mature and understand this is football, mistakes cost you hard. Now we’re united again. Our faith is intact. 

We mustn’t lose our heads, lose our way. We must keep having fun and dreaming.”

England will be hoping the scintillating Suárez does not make it for Thursday, but even without him Uruguay have another of the world’s best strikers, Edinson Cavani, at their disposal.

“We hope Luis is fine and plays but if not, then it’s up to the rest of us,” Lugano said. “The English players are fast and strong. That demands a lot of the defenders. It’s not going to be easy. We have to improve.”

Netherlands with doubles from Robben and Van Persie taught Spain the meaning of sweet revenge

The Netherlands earned sweet revenge on Spain on Friday at the Fonte Nova in Salvador, hammering Spain 5-1 to put an emphatic coda on their loss in the 2010 World Cup finals.

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice, and Stefan de Vrij added one to pace the Netherlands after an early and controversial penalty had staked Spain an early lead. And believe it or not, the Dutch could have had a few more. It was the heaviest loss ever suffered by a reigning champion, and it leaves Spain staring at an early exit. Spain hadn't lost in a Cup match in such a shambolic fashion since 1950 -- fittingly enough, that was against hosts Brazil.

This was the first group stage meeting between the previous World Cup's finalists in history, a seemingly dry fact belied by the rancor of that game. Then, Spain needed extra time to down a Dutch side that should have been reduced to ten men after Nigel de Jong infamously delivered a karate kick to Xabi Alonso's midsection in Johannesburg, South Africa. That was a dirty show from Holland, and no one had forgot it; the question coming in was whether or not they could overcome that bitter history.

Indeed, they could.

''We trained that way. And this is definitely down to him,'' the Manchester United striker said of the coach who will take over at his club next season. ''If you see how he prepared us, and how he predicted the game would go, and you see how it went - unbelievable.''

''With strikers like Van Persie, Robben and Sneijder behind them, things like this can happen,'' the coach said.

Holland played an unusual five-man back line today that deployed three in front of keeper Jasper Cillessen and used wingbacks to clog the midfield. It forced Spain into playing longer balls over top -- frequently with native Brazilian Diego Costa as the end target -- but it also revealed the limitations of both sides. That Dutch trio looked callow; Spain at times looked unable to influence matters at all. But as for Costa, booed every time he got near the ball by a Salvador crowd that had not forgotten where he grew up, he was good enough to win Spain's opening goal.

On the 15th minute, Costa was toppled by Stefan de Vrij in the box, and ref Nicola Rizzoli immediately pointed to the spot.  On first glance it looked a stonewall call, but replays introduced significant doubt; Costa seemed to wait for the contact and left his leg back for the defender to take out.  To be fair to Rizzoli, it was nowhere close to as controversial a call as many we've seen so far in this young World Cup, and the buildup for it was sublime, with David Silva and Xavi combining to push the ball through a static back trio. Xabi Alonso converted this one, calmly slotting home low and hard past Cillessen.

Holland swiftly marched down the field, Daley Blind fired in a cross from the left -- and Robin van Persie scored the goal of the Cup so far.

Launching himself and a thousand "Flying Dutchman" jokes at the same time, van Persie arched his back and neck at the edge of the area to head the ball past a stunned Iker Casillas, rooted on his line. It was audacious, it was unbelievable, and it was in the back of the net. Van Persie became the first Dutchman to score in three World Cups with the goal -- and earned himself a spot in highlight reels for years to come.

When Robben netted, sending the orange-clad fans into paroxysm, it was no more than they deserved. Spain's central pairing of Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos had become increasingly disconnected, and Robben, on the slalom, brilliantly settled a long ball to turn and fire through them to ruffle the net. It was a fine bit of skill, and it effectively killed the game.

And as good as Cillessen had been for Holland, Casillas was as poor for Spain. Dropped as the starter at his club Real Madrid by Carlo Ancelotti, he was to blame on the next two Dutch goals.

First, Casillas flapped at a routine ball under normal pressure from van Persie. De Vrij was in the right place at the right time -- in this case, almost over the endline at the far post -- and able to touch the ball into an unguarded net. Casillas fumed, claiming a foul -- but in reality, he'd made a hash of it.

There was no disguising who was at fault on van Persie's second: Casillas tried to clear the ball and made an even worse mess of the play, gifting the fleet van Persie with an open net. As the Manchester United man wheeled away towards his bench, arms in the air, Casillas could only gaze at the ground.

Robben added the fifth when he danced through the back line, leaving both Ramos and Casillas for dead, to selfishly lash the ball home with his left foot. It was a bit of swagger that felt totally justified, and Robben wagged his tongue at both the crowd and his opponents.

The result is a damaging one for Spain, and an eerie echo of their 2010 campaign to boot. There, they lost the opener to Switzerland -- and went on to become the first side to raise the Cup after losing the opener. But Spain don't have it easy: they face a very threatening Chilean at the Maracana Stadium on Wednesday while Holland have what should be an easy match in Port Alegre earlier that same day against Australia.

As it stands now, the Oranj are the ones to beat. ''We don't have anything yet. We've made a pretty start,'' van Gaal said. ''If you beat Australia, then you've made a good start.''

And the fiery Reds may have finally flamed out.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.  http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/netherlands-exact-revenge-defeats-defending-world-cup-champion-spain-061314