So now we are down to the super eight and this summers footballing festival is drawing to a tearful close. After what I would say was a rathe dull round of sixteen, we'll see some sizzling showcases of the beautiful game in the quarters. Hopefully this cluster of match ups can give us the spine tingling sports we all know from the opening set of the World Cup.
Friday 4th July...
Brazil 1-2 Columbia...
Here we go again, another phenom in the form of an all America's duel; Brazil look to retake home of the trophy but country neighbours Columbia will have other thoughts. Even without their superstar Falcao, Columbia have been the most brutal and best team throughout the tournament; James Rodriguez and his crew have cut down every team in their path with the veteran Yepes bossing the back line. Brazil on the other palm have been lack luster and for star studded line up they possess, they haven't particularly caused chaos. Although they are the host nation, I just don't think they'll have enough to stop Columbia's ruthless attack let alone breakdown the marine like disipline in defence. We saw the Brazillians cut it fine against Chile and as Columbia are that much more stronger, I'm going with the away team snatching it.
France 1-0 Germany...
These two are both thoroughly formidable in defence and are by a mile Europe's most elite squads. It's so unfortunate that the two had to meet in the quarter finals but as we all know too well there can only be one winner. Up until now the French really haven't been shaken up by another top quality squad but in this fixture I'm sure they'll expect otherwise. This being said the German's did draw blank against an Algerian side in the quarters and at many points they did look like conceding cheaply. Per Mertesaker had a nightmare previous and to be honest I've seen milk turn faster than him. No doubt about it France v Germany will be the hardest game to predict from the quarters as both teams have so much talent. All in all the power in young Pogba mixed with the style of Valbuena is going to give Les Bleus that much needed advantage and I'm going with a one goal win.
Saturday 5th July...
Holland 2-0 Costa Rica...
Myself and every other England fan will be hanging our heads in shame, not only could this be England in Costa Rica'a position but we could have had our own back on the Dutch. Sadly for Costa Rica I think they've have ridden their luck too long, surely they haven't got enough to get through to the semi final?. Fulham will be pig sick after off loading the Costa Rican captain as he's been the hero for the men in Red not to mention that South American spirit that lifts them every game. Louis Van Gaal will be looking to end his international rein as World Cup winner and what better way to do it than alongside the striker of your next club. His relationship with RVP is better than Ant and Dec's and that bond creates a love enough to score goals. The only thing I despise about the Dutch is Robben because of his swan diving antics; even admitting to it makes me hate him even more and to be honest even Tom Daley would be impressed after his Olympic styled efforts.
Argentina 0-0 Belgium...
These two squads should be genuinely ashamed of themselves after their quarter final conundrums. I'm going to put it out there as football fixtures than send you to the land of Zzz as the games they showcased didn't bag a goal until over the ninety. So much expectation but so little life, these teams should be doing a lot better. Argentina are far too reliant on Messi and at times I felt sorry for the guy, in the other eleven Belgium just can't seem to gel but luckily with Kompany at the helm they can manage to keep a clean sheet. Be disappointed and expect for the worst because I don't feel any samba is going to jazz up this one and I'm going for a 0-0 draw. To sum it up it's penalties with a capital P and the Argentines are going to progress.
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