Photo: Sony and 2014 Getty Images
More shocks and nail-biting action in the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup means more mouth-watering matches ahead
With the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup having just commenced, the nail-biting action and surprise results have continued.
Will Latin America dominate this World Cup on their home continent?
Brazil 1 – 1 Chile, Brazil through on penalties [3-2]
Brazil and Chile ended extra time with a 1-1 draw. The Chileans put in a great performance, especially FC Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez who fought hard in attempt to carry his team through.
The host nation scraped through by the skin of its teeth in the penalty shootout with a 3-2 win. Many will sympathise with Chile, who put in inspired performances game after game, only to bow out of the World Cup unceremoniously.
Colombia 2 – 0 Uruguay
Everyone expects Neymar and Messi to shine, but James Rodríguez has been the revelation of the tournament so far. The young midfield star netted two goals to send Uruguay, pre-tournament favourites, home.
Rodríguez has now scored an impressive 5 goals. Uruguay on the other hand seemed a little lost without Luis ”Jaws” Suárez, after he was sent home and banned for biting Italy’s Chiellini.
Netherlands 2 – 1 Mexico
2010 World Cup runner-up the Netherlands left it late to rewrite the script with a spectacular comeback. The Oranje danced with death up until the 88th minute, after trailing from Giovani dos Santos’ scorcher just after half-time.
Wesley Sneijder saved the blushes, and their tournament, with a well-executed volley from a selfless headed pass from Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Late in injury time, chief tormentor Arjen Robben was once again fouled, and the referee finally gave a penalty. Huntelaar sealed the deal for the Orange Army.
One can’t help but sympathise with Mexico who came so close, yet has ended its last 6 tournaments in the round of 16.
Costa Rica 1 – 1 Greece, Costa Rica through on penalties [5-3]
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the tournament, Costa Rica continues to shine. Costa Rica’s performance was perhaps not as stellar or glorious as in their previous victories against Uruguay and Italy but the Central Americans pulled through on penalties.
Will the Latin American tide prevail into the quarter-finals, especially against European giants such as the Netherlands and Germany? Stay peeled for more mouth-watering match-ups.
Brazil vs Colombia
Brazil struggled in their last game against Chile. Will Neymar and co. pull up their socks, or will the young James Rodriguez upstage the Brazilian superstar?
Netherlands vs Costa Rica
The Dutch look difficult to beat with a wealth of talent and an indomitable will to fight to the death. They certainly look set to crush Costa Rica.
Still, the Oranje struggled against Mexico. Will Costa Rica seize the day?
As we’ve witnessed, anything can happen in the World Cup. However, the sequences are now of much greater severity.
Here’s wishing your team the best of luck to if it still remains, and a salute to the fighting spirit of Latin America!
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