A Quick Glance at FIFA World Cup 2014 Knock-Out Stage
The most epic battle of footballing nations, FIFA World Cup 2014, has reached its climax. Here is a quick glance at the knock out stage of the FIFA World Cup 2014.
Round of Sixteen:
Among all 32 teams taking part in FIFA World Cup 2014, 16 could made their way to the knock out round including Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Netherlands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Greece, France, Nigeria, Germany, Algeria, Switzerland, Argentina, Belgium and USA. The 16 finest teams battled for the glory from 28th June to 1st of July resulting in the elimination of 8 more. The teams which sailed their boats successfully to the quarter finals were; France, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Belgium, Netherlands and Costa Rica.
1st Quarter Final:
First Quarter Final of the FIFA World Cup 2014 was played between mighty Germans and French on 04 July 2014. Mats Hummels’ only goal in the mega event led his team to the Semi Finals as Germans finished 1-0.
2nd Quarter final:
In the second Quarter Final of FIFA World Cup 2014 on the same day, the home team Brazil went one on one against Colombia. Although James Rodriguez’s stunner in 80th minute was enough to make him top scorer at that moment but that could not equalize Thiago Silva and David Luiz’s goals in 7th and 69th minutes respectively. Colombia’s journey to reach in the Quarter Finals for the very first time ended with the victory of home side.
Painful Periods:
The 2nd Quarter Final between Brazil and Colombia proved to be a little painful (physical and mental) for some players. As history witnessed two of the most sensational players in World Cup drowned in tears. Brazilian super star Neymar Jr. ruled out of the mega event following a back injury on the other hand mega event’s top scorer so far James Rodriguez had to say an emotional good bye to FIFA World Cup 2014 along with his whole team.
3rd Quarter final:
The third quarter Final was played between Argentina and Belgium on 5th of July. It looked from the beginning that Argentina never wanted to miss a 24 year awaited opportunity to qualify for the Semis. An eighth-minute half-volley from Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain proved to be enough to take Argentina through to the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 2014 at the expense of Belgium side who failed to fire in Brasilia.
4th Quarter Final:
With the final spot left for the Semis, Netherlands and Costa Rica clashed on 5th July. Both teams failed to score in allotted 90 minutes as well as in an extra half hour. The match was decided on penalty shoot outs with a 4-3 victory for Dutch.
Super Sub:
Dutch Goal keeper Tim Krul emerged as the unlikeliest of heroes as the Netherlands edged Costa Rica on penalties to book a FIFA World Cup 2014 semi-final against Argentina. The Newcastle United goalkeeper spent 120 goalless minutes on the bench, before Louis van Gaal brought him on in the nick of time for a penalty shoo-tout. Krul responded by saving two spot-kicks to send the Oranje to Sao Paulo.
Semi Finals:
1st Semi Final was played between the Hosts Brazil and Germany. And believe me if you were a Brazilian supporter you wouldn’t like to remember what happened to the Home side. Mighty Germans shocked the World and left the home side crippled and crushed by a historic margin of 7-1. This was the worst defeat ever Brazil has to go through in a World Cup.
In the 2nd Semi Final Leo Messi’s Argentina faced the challenge of Persie and Robben featured Holland. The thriller proved to be productive on penalty shoot outs as both teams failed to score in time given. Courtesy to Sergio Romero Argentina secured a 4-2 victory over Dutch to meet the Germans in the final.
Final:
The most awaited final between Argentina and Germany started with Argentina missing some precious opportunities to score.Germany, meanwhile, was more efficient. The Germans came close just before halftime when Benedikt Howedes blasted a header off the goal post and Germany kept pressure on Argentina’s goalkeeper Sergio Romero, putting seven of its 10 shots on goal.
The decider however, was scored by Mario Goetze who came as a substitute for Miroslav Klose. Goetze struck in 113th minute as Germans defeated Argentine to lift the World Cup for fourth time.
Golden Ball and Glove Winners:
The Golden Ball, an honor to the most valuable player of the tournament was won by Runner up Captain Leo Messi. The third gold, Golden Glove was won by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Manuel conceded only 4 goals in seven games played in FIFA World Cup 2014.
Golden Boot Award:
Recognized as a huge talent heading into the competition, the gifted James Rodriguez has since proved his ability to rise to the big occasion. His haul of six goals in five outings was good enough to make him top scorer of FIFA World Cup 2014 and so the Golden Boot winner.
See Also:
A Quick Look on FIFA World Cup 2014 Group Stage
