The FIFA World Cup 2014 has moved into the semi-final stage, pitting the
final four teams left—Brazil, Germany, Argentina and the
Netherlands—against one another for a spot in the coveted Maracana
final.
Here we take a look at the first tie on offer: the Selecao vs. Die Mannschaft.
Germany
Germany, finally, are beginning to move through the gears and put in
their best showing so far against France in the quarter-final—the
drubbing they gave 10-man Portugal aside.
Mats Hummels came into the side and seemingly fixed everything, leading a
deeper defensive line, getting help from Philipp Lahm at right-back—his
correct position—and switching to a far more productive 4-2-3-1
formation.
Of the two sides competing, Joachim Low's is further ahead in its
progression, and that makes it the favourite for the tie despite home
advantage. No key players are injured, and they seem to be finding their
feet.
"We desperately want to play in the Maracana in Rio again, on July 13,"
Low told reporters ahead of the game (h/t ITV.com). "We're not done
yet."
The FIFA World Cup 2014 has moved into the semi-final stage, pitting the final four teams left—Brazil, Germany, Argentina and the Netherlands—against one another for a spot in the coveted Maracana final.
Here we take a look at the first tie on offer: the Selecao vs. Die Mannschaft.
Brazil
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few days, you'll
be well-aware of the issues Brazil are facing ahead of their semi-final
tie.
Neymar is out for the tournament, and Thiago Silva is suspended for
the match against Germany. In case you're keeping count, that's your
best player and your best centre-back (and captain!) out for your
biggest match so far.
It opens up a number of questions regarding team selection: Will
Dante step in and partner David Luiz in defence or will Henrique? Does
Bernard step in on the left of the 4-2-3-1 or is a rejig set to occur?
Dante and Bernard will be the favourites, especially with Willian
struggling with an injury. The team will need to re-calibrate and move
away from the "it's all about Neymar" playing method and begin sharing
the ball out.
Germany
Germany, finally, are beginning to move through the gears and put in
their best showing so far against France in the quarter-final—the
drubbing they gave 10-man Portugal aside.
Mats Hummels came into the side and seemingly fixed everything, leading a deeper defensive line, getting help from Philipp Lahm at right-back—his correct position—and switching to a far more productive 4-2-3-1 formation.
Of the two sides competing, Joachim Low's is further ahead in its progression, and that makes it the favourite for the tie despite home advantage. No key players are injured, and they seem to be finding their feet.
"We desperately want to play in the Maracana in Rio again, on July 13," Low told reporters ahead of the game (h/t ITV.com). "We're not done yet."
1. Luiz Gustavo vs. Toni Kroos
In switching to the 4-2-3-1 formation, Low managed to take Die
Mannschaft back to basics and succeed using more obvious movements,
attacks and defensive mechanisms.
The key to their enhanced attacking play was Toni Kroos in the
No. 10 slot, receiving passes between the lines and linking superbly
with those around him. Thomas Mueller in particular was brought into play early and often by Kroos and worked France's defensive line very well.
It's up to Brazil, and more specifically the returning Luiz
Gustavo, to quell this as quickly as possible. He's been the
tournament's best anchor so far, and he'll need to be right on top of
his game to stamp this out.
2. Sharing the Load
Brazil have been entirely focused on Neymar: Give the ball to Neymar,
create space for Neymar and force the ball into Neymar's feet to see if
he can spark the difference.
Without him the Selecao must share the load, giving Hulk, Oscar and
Bernard equal touches and attacking each of the pitch's thirds equally.
You can't hang your hat on any of Brazil's other players—none of
their attackers is, like Neymar, a top-five in world football—but the
formula can come together with some tweaks.
Utilise Bernard's guile, Oscar's positional brilliance and Hulk's long-range shooting.
July 5th, 12:00 p.m., Argentina vs. Belgium, ABC, ESPN3
July 4th, 4:00 p.m., Netherlands vs. Costa Rica, ESPN, ESPN3
Argentina-Belgium: Two teams that can be one-man shows at times, they've also won every game they've played so far. Argentina has an embarrassment of attacking players and Belgium has some younger talent ready to shine, fresh off an extra time victory over the United States.
Netherlands-Costa Rica: Costa Rica is the big surprise of the tournament, but Netherlands' demolition of Spain isn't far behind. I imagine most will be rooting for the CONCACAF underdogs, but Netherlands has looked to be one of the strongest teams in the tournament and will be heavy favorites to advance.
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*Quarterfinals: Match 57 / Referee: Carlos VELASCO CARBALLO (ESP); Assistant Referee 1: Roberto ALONSO FERNANDEZ (ESP); Assistant Referee 2: Juan YUSTE (ESP); Fourth official: Svein Oddvar MOEN (NOR)
Stadium: Estadio Castelão, Fortaleza, Brazil
It's Brazil vs Germany in the semifinal after the hosts defeated Colombia 2-1 in the last-eight clash.
GOAL! Neymar fired in a great corner kick and Brazil skipper Thiago Silva was in a great position to score as the hosts took an early lead vs their Latin American rivals. Brazil lead 1-0.
Silva made an early breakthrough for Brazil.
It was not always pretty, but Brazil cleared its toughest hurdle so far at the World Cup, beating Colombia, 2-1, in Fortaleza and advancing to the semifinals.
Brazil calmed its nervous fans with a goal just six minutes in as Thiago Silva found himself unmarked on a corner and pushed in an easy chance.
With the goal in hand, Brazil was able to concentrate on effectively shutting down Colombia's star, James Rodriguez, who came into the game leading all World Cup scorers with five goals.
In the 68th minute of a choppy game, came a sublime moment. David Luiz rocketed in a perfect free kick into the upper corner of the goal from 35 yards out. Brazil led by 2-0 and seemed to be in control.But Colombia was given new life when Brazil keeper Julio Cesar fouled Carlos Bacca in the box.
Rodriguez duly converted the penalty, his sixth goal of the tournament, and Colombia began to pour on the attacks.But despite a few half chances, it could not find a breakthrough in the minutes that remained. Brazil advances to face Germany in the first seme finals.
Penalty to Colombia! This one might not be over yet. Carlos Bacca, who just entered the game for Gutierrez, beat David Luiz of all people and was brought down by keeper Julio Cesar. Yellow for the keeper and James Rodriguez will take!
Julio Cesar guesses wrong and it’s 2-1!
Today’s results:
• France 0 Germany 1. German defender Mats Hummels headed the ball home from a free kick early in the first half, and France never managed to carve out a clear chance to equalise.
• Brazil 2 Colombia 1. Defender David Luiz fired a contender for goal of the tournament to secure Brazil’s passage to the semi-finals.
*Quarterfinals: Match 58 / Referee: Nestor PITANA (ARG); Assistant Referee 1: Hernan MAIDANA (ARG); Assistant Referee 2: Juan Pablo BELATTI (ARG); Fourth official: Jonas ERIKSSON (SWE)
Stadium: Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
France vs. Germany, 2014 World Cup: Hummels header enough for Die Mannschaft
Germany grabbed an early goal on a header by Mats Hummels and shut up shop, restricting France's scoring chances in a 1-0 win.
For the first time in this World Cup, France trail, thanks to this gorgeous header by Mats Hummels.There hasn't been a ton going on in midfield early in this game, with both teams doing a pretty good job of getting into the attacking third. Unfortunately for France, this goal came just a couple of minutes after they squandered a great chance of their own.Germany lead, 1-0.
Goal! Mats Hummels has given Germany the lead in the 12th minute, heading the ball into the top corner of Hugo Lloris’s net from a free kick.
This is a rollicking start from the Germans. France has barely touched the ball so far.
German fans have been particularly anxious in the lead-up to this quarter-final, with seven players reportedly suffering from a virus.
Without naming anyone, manager Joachim Loew confirmed the players were showing symptoms of illness. It’s likely to be a hot day Rio de Janeiro, so any sickness could prove to be extremely sapping.
German forward Miroslav Klose copped a ball to the face this morning. We imagine it hurt almost as much as, say, a loss in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. But not quite. Sorry France.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer beat away a powerful, last ditch shot from Karim Benzema in the final minute of stoppage time to seal a solid 1-0 win for Germany.
It saw the Germans reach the World Cup semi-finals for a record fourth straight time.
The match was surprisingly low-scoring, given the talent in both teams’ forward lines and their presumed frailties at the back. But Germany defended strongly throughout, and probably was the better side.
That was certainly the case for the opening 25 minutes, during which the Germans dominated possession. Defender Mats Hummels headed home the game’s only goal from a free kick in the 12th minute.
Substitute Andre Schuerrle, who was so effective for Germany in its round of 16 tie against Algeria, had several fantastic chances to extend his team’s lead in the dying stages, but couldn’t convert either of them.
It didn’t matter in the end, however, as Neuer shut down France’s final opportunity.
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