Game # 57 - QF1 France vs Germany

This was exactly the game that you might expect from these two teams - tight football, not too many errors and not too many opportunities for either side. The game had a surprisingly early goal - from Germany when Hummels headed in a Kroos cross off the underside of the cross bar (whoa, far too many "cross"-es in that last sentence). Germany took control after that but it was the German keeper Neuer that had to fend off a Valbuena shot to keep the score the same at half time.

France came out after the break and really took it to Germany but with no result. However, France was doing well defensively, repeatedly cutting out the final German ball. On the other hand, they weren't doing that well up the other end - and, on the rare occasions that they did, Neuer was having another one of days when he could do no wrong. In the dying moments, Neuer showed just how true that was when he kept out a close range Benzema shot that could have equalized the score.

Germany goes on the the semifinals yet again off a narrow 1-0 scoreline. France can go home at least partially redeemed after their miserable 2010 World Cup performance.

Game # 58 - QF2 Brazil vs Columbia

This was a great game, with two sides willing to attack unceasingly on the philosophy of "the winner is the team that scores the most" (as opposed the more common "concedes the least"). A surprising early goal from Thiago Silva put Brazil in front, with strong signs that Brazil had finally found their rhythm. This was born out by the rest of the first half as Brazil utterly dominated, only Ospina's repeated saves keeping Colombia in the game.

Colombia came out in much better form in the second half and troubled Brazil a couple of times. Just as it looked as if Colombia might equalize, a thunderous David Luiz free kick put Brazil two in front. This fired up Colombia even more and a sustained period of pressure finally resulted a a goal for Colombia (admittedly from a penalty, taken by James Rodriguez) so the last 10 minutes was a frantic Colombia raiding/Brazil defending interchange but Brazil held out to finish 2-1.

Brazil face Germany in the first semifinal. I would be quite confident for Brazil after these two quarterfinals but for the fact that Brazil will be missing both captain Thiago Silva (suspended) and star striker Neymar (injured after a clattering challenge into his back which appears to have fractured a vertebra).

Game # 59 - QF3 Argentina vs Belgium

A wonderful reflex shot from Higuain in just the 8th minute put Argentina into an early lead. Belgium never really generated much of a reply as Argentina's defence easily dealt with anything Belgium tried. Di Maria went off injured so the Argentina attack became even more reliant on Messi and he stepped up to the mark with a free kick that only just went over the bar. Belgium's sole significant chance went begging as Mirallas headed wide.

The second half saw much of the same with Huguain having two more close attempts early, Courtois dealing with both well. Belgium finally got some attacks strung together and produced a fine save off Romero to avoid a deflected own goal from Garay. The Argentina defence tightened up still further and Belgium never really looked threatening again. Surprisingly, almost every Belgium attack for about the last twenty minutes was via the classic long ball - a tactic that a skilled and disciplined defence like Argentina's had no trouble dealing with at all. Messi very nearly scored Argentina's second but yet another fine save from Courtois kept the score to 1-0.

Argentina are through to their first semifinals since 1990.

Game # 60 - QF4 Netherlands vs Costa Rica

Looking like the most one-sided of the the quarter finals, this was the only one that went not only to extra time but also to penalties. The well-marshalled Costa Rica defence frustrated everything that Netherlands threw at it though, at times, it was only by the skin of their teeth (and the paint of the crossbar or upright). The imbalance between the two teams was enormous with shots (20/15 to 6/3), corners (11 to 1) and possession (64% to 36%) all adding up to a picture of Netherlands dominance from beginning to end. Van Persie, Robben and Sneijder all bombarded the goal with shots and either Navas saved it or the woodwork did his work for him. The game finished 0-0 so it was on to extra time.

This began much as the regular time had with Netherlands raiding at will but suddenly Costa Rica woke up and had two agonizingly close shots blocked. Just seconds before extra time finished, van Gaal managed to get Krul (a renowned penalty stopper) substituted on for Cillessen. Extra time finished 0-0 so it was down to penalties.

Van Gaal's tactical genius shone through as Krul saved 2 of the 5 Costa Rica penalties whilst Netherlands scored all of their first 4 so they won 4-3 on penalties.

Netherlands play Argentina in the second semifinal. Given the ease that Costa Rica's defence dealt with the Netherlands attack, I'd think that Argentina would go through to the final.