After two weeks of group games and the first knockout rounds we are now down to the last eight from the initial 32 teams. The eight teams would be fighting for a slot in the semifinal and in turn increasing the likelihood of them lifting the trophy.
To start us off was the big clash between Germany and France. Both team had experienced difficult games in the last 16 against Algeria and Nigeria respectively and were hoping to put on a good show and boost their confidence going into the last four.
France were hoping to gain revenge for semi-final defeats to West Germany at the 1982 and 1986 world cup edition while Germany were hoping to be the first team to make it to the semi-final four world cups in a row.
Germany made a good start to the game but it was the French who had the first chance on goal with Benzema volleying Valbuena pass wide off the mark.
The French were made to pay for that miss a few minutes later as Borussia Dortmund defender, Hummels, rose highest to nod Kroos’ cross in off the underside of the crossbar.
The Germans looked for opportunities to add to the tally but were twice denied penalties as Klose and Muller felt they had been fouled in the box.
The French took control of the final minutes of the half and Neuer had to be alert to stop Valbuena’s effort going in with Hummels on hand to deny Benzema scoring from the rebound.
The Real Madrid striker had two more chances before the half that he failed to convert and Germany went into the break with the advantage.
The second half saw France start brightly, pinning the Germans back on defense. Varane’s header on the hour mark was too comfortable for Neuer and didn’t provide any threat.
Andre Schurrle was brought in for Klose and tested Lloris with a stinging shot from the right.
The Germans were holding fast to their one goal advantage with the French constantly applying pressure. Benzema worked some space inside the area with 14 minutes to play, but once again Hummels was there to block and Neuer parried away Blaise Matuidi’s effort from a tight angle.
Neuer palmed away Benzema’s strike in the dying minute to ensure the Germans had the win and became the first team to progress to the semifinal four tournaments in a row.
In the other match, Brazil took on South America counterparts Colombia with the winner setting up a semifinal clash with Germany.
The talk going into the match was all about the Brazilian players’ mental strength with critics from some quarters claiming they did not deserve to win the world cup. The players had been criticized for crying during the national anthems and the headlines were further fueled by the Brazilian coach’s decision to bring in a sport psychologist.
Despite all these, the hosts made a flying start to take the lead inside seven minutes for the first half.
Colombia failed to clear Neymar’s corner and Silva was on hand to knee in the goal from the back post.
This was the first time the Colombians had fallen behind in the tournament and they responded immediately with star winger Cuardado’s effort deflected narrowly wide.
Brazil still looked in control despite the Colombian pressure with Hulk forcing two fine saves from the Colombian goalkeeper.
The game was proving to be one exciting one with the end to end flow providing quite a spectacle going into the half time break.
The start of the second period failed to match the way the first had ended with the only talking point being Silva’s yellow card that would rule him out of the semifinal if Brazil were to go through.
With the game’s thrill slowly fading Brazil doubled their lead with a moment of magic from PSG bound David Luiz. The Brazilian defender sent in a stunning 30 yard free kick after Hulk had been fouled by Rodriguez.
But the Brazilian were made to hold off their celebrations as Colombia brought one back from the penalty spot. Julio Cesar fouled Bacca in the area and Rodriguez stepped up to score from the spot and become the world cup’s leading scorer with six goals.
There was another moment of worry for the Brazilians as their star player Neymar was stretchered off with an injury that seems will rule him out from the rest of the tournament.
The hosts held on to win the game but there will be a big cloud hanging over their preparation for the clash with the Germans as they plan on how to go into the game without Neymar and captain Silva.