[_____V_____]

Quarter - Finals

57: [04/07/2014] BRAZIL (W#49) - COLOMBIA (W#50)
58: [04/07/2014] FRANCE (W#53) - GERMANY (W#54)
59: [05/07/2014] NETHERLANDS (W#51) - COSTA RICA (W#52)
60: [05/07/2014] ARGENTINA (W#55) - BELGIUM (W#56)


The Quarter-Finals, or the Round of 8 as they are more popularly known, kick off from tonight. None of the heavyweight teams have shown a glimpse in the Round of 16 that they will be walking off with the biggest prize in the history of soccer. TBH, the patchy form that some of the favorites have shown, after their tremendous opening wins, has been a cause for worry, both for fans and for team managements alike.

BRAZIL - Have seriously gone off the boil. Barely scraped through via the Penalty Shootout against Chile. Face formidable opponents in in-form James Rodriguez and Colombia. History favors the host team but don't be surprised if Colombia pull off an upset win against them. Should be a cracker!

COLOMBIA - In James Rodriguez, they have found the next real superstar of world soccer. Leading the field in the number of goals scored + possibly the goal of the tournament (so far), he has been a real driving force and inspiration behind the team's tremendous success. Besides, Colombia is the only team who has won convincingly in their Round of 16 match (2-0 over Uruguay). Kickass match in the making!

THE NETHERLANDS - Started off in blazing form, decimating Spain in their opening encounter. A close encounter with Australia, followed by a convincing win over Chile meant they were the THE team to follow in the knockout stages. Unfortunately for them, Mexico dominated almost 95% of the match, and only a late surge in the final 8-9 minutes saw them scrape past the Central American team. Still a pretty formidable force, but will be tested when they take on a buoyed-up Costa Rica.

COSTA RICA - A convincing win over Uruguay, an upset win over the Azurri, but were held to a goalless draw against England. Yet they were good enough in the Penalty Shootout to hold off Greece and book a Round of 8 berth. Could be the least favored team in this bunch right now, since they take on the Oranje giants.

FRANCE - Another team which started in thumping fashion (3-0 & 5-2 wins), but went off the radars when they were held to a goalless draw against lowly Ecuador. The Round of 16 encounter against Nigeria wasn't convincing either, despite the 2-0 result. Fans would be really hoping that Karim Benzema, Pogba & co. perform when it really matters the most - against the Germans. THE match to watch out for.

GERMANY - Coming into the tournament as THE favorites to lift the WC 2014 title, they also started in tremendous fashion by pulverising Portugal 4-0. But a 2-2 draw against Ghana and a tough 1-0 win over the USA meant they were off the boil also. Round of 16 opponents Algeria stretched them to the maximum, but eventually they scraped through. How will they perform against the dynamic French? Tonight we shall find out. DYNAMITE of a match, this!

ARGENTINA - Always the sentimental favorite among fans for all WCs till now, they have promised plenty but have delivered averagely. Even Lionel Messi, arguably the best soccer player in the world right now, couldn't inspire them enough through the group stages. All 4 matches have produced tough wins, and this should be indication enough that they need to tighten up a LOT. The Round of 8 encounter against Belgium will be a real tester. Number 3 in the must-watch list of matches.

BELGIUM - Arguably the least impressive team of the lot (behind Costa Rica, even), they have done just about enough to keep going. Like Argentina, they will need to really produce the goods when it matters the most, because the South American team has the uncanny knack of producing quality football when it matters the most. Still, Marc Wilmots' team will take heart from the fact that their opponents still haven't peaked yet. Should be a good match.


In order of watchability,

#1 - FRANCE vs GERMANY - Cracker. Not taking any sides here.
#2 - BRAZIL vs COLOMBIA - Cracker again. Slightly favoring Colombia.
#3 - ARGENTINA vs BELGIUM - Close one. Going with Argentina.
#4 - NETHERLANDS vs COSTA RICA - Could be a goal-ridden match. Money's on Netherlands.