2014 World Cup Quarterfinals
Teams Advancing By Confederation:
UEFA (Europe): 4 of 13
CONEMBOL (South America): 3 of 6
CONCACAF (North & Central America): 1 of 4
CAF (Africa): 0 of 5
AFC (Asia): 0 of 4
OFC (Oceania): 0 of 0
"We still see three of our final four arriving with Germany vs Brazil and Argentina vs Netherlands (replacing Italy)."
Not so fast Joe... there may be room at the table for another South American team.
In the round of 16 - All group winners were victorious. The results were 1-1; 2-0; 2-1; 1-1; 2-0; 2-1; 1-0; 2-1
5 of the 8 matches went to overtime, 2 of 8 went to shoot-out.
1 more could have gone to overtime: Netherlands penalty kick at 94' to eliminate Mexico 2-1; for 6 of 8.
1 more could have gone to shootout: Argentina 1-0 over Switzerland at 118'; for 3 of 8.
This means that 6 of 8 games could have been tied after 90' and 3 of 8 tied after 120' and no team scored more than 2 goals in any game.
Since the penalty shoot out was introduced in 1978 and not counting this Cup, 22 games have gone to shoot-out...
6 in the 2nd round, 10 in quarterfinal, 4 in semifinal and 2 finals. We thank Planet World Cup.
Does anyone see a pattern here? The teams are fairly even.
As we move to the next level, those advancing are survivors by the thinnest of margins.
As the stakes are higher, mistakes get amplified and players/coaches are less willing to take risks.
Resulting in more 0-0, 1-1 results that lead to overtime and penalty shoot-outs. Expect more of the same. On to the predictions...
Brazil vs Columbia - Columbia GA 2 GF 11, Brazil GA 3 GF 8; Brazil escaped Chile "by that much", Columbia are better.
Los Cafeteros will expose the weak Brazilian back line and "surprise" the host nation. Unless of course the FIX is IN.
France vs Germany - France GA 2 GF 10, Germany GA 3 GF 9; Aside from conceding 2 garbage goals to Switzerland after a 5-0 lead, no one has legitimately scored on the French. Beware as defense wins championships.
"Football is a simple game, 22 men chase as ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win." - English Striker Gary Lineker. Expect Dunkirk and a possible shootout.
Netherlands vs Costa Rica - Netherlands GA 4 GF 12, Costa Rica GA 2, GF 5. A clash of contrasting styles as Costa Rica's defense with only 2 goals allowed proves CONCACAF are not patsies.
A Clockwork Orange have allowed only 2 goals from the field (and 2 by penalty), their relentless attack somehow gets the job done.
Argentina vs Belgium - Belgium GA 2 GF 6. Argentina GA 3 GF 7; An absolute borefest where Belgium demonstrates their defensive prowess and offensive ineptitude.
Belgium will not expose the weak Argentine backline. Somehow, perhaps even by shootout, Messi is involved in the winning goal.
UEFA (Europe): 4 of 13
CONEMBOL (South America): 3 of 6
CONCACAF (North & Central America): 1 of 4
CAF (Africa): 0 of 5
AFC (Asia): 0 of 4
OFC (Oceania): 0 of 0
"We still see three of our final four arriving with Germany vs Brazil and Argentina vs Netherlands (replacing Italy)."
Not so fast Joe... there may be room at the table for another South American team.
In the round of 16 - All group winners were victorious. The results were 1-1; 2-0; 2-1; 1-1; 2-0; 2-1; 1-0; 2-1
5 of the 8 matches went to overtime, 2 of 8 went to shoot-out.
1 more could have gone to overtime: Netherlands penalty kick at 94' to eliminate Mexico 2-1; for 6 of 8.
1 more could have gone to shootout: Argentina 1-0 over Switzerland at 118'; for 3 of 8.
This means that 6 of 8 games could have been tied after 90' and 3 of 8 tied after 120' and no team scored more than 2 goals in any game.
Since the penalty shoot out was introduced in 1978 and not counting this Cup, 22 games have gone to shoot-out...
6 in the 2nd round, 10 in quarterfinal, 4 in semifinal and 2 finals. We thank Planet World Cup.
Does anyone see a pattern here? The teams are fairly even.
As we move to the next level, those advancing are survivors by the thinnest of margins.
As the stakes are higher, mistakes get amplified and players/coaches are less willing to take risks.
Resulting in more 0-0, 1-1 results that lead to overtime and penalty shoot-outs. Expect more of the same. On to the predictions...
Brazil vs Columbia - Columbia GA 2 GF 11, Brazil GA 3 GF 8; Brazil escaped Chile "by that much", Columbia are better.
Los Cafeteros will expose the weak Brazilian back line and "surprise" the host nation. Unless of course the FIX is IN.
France vs Germany - France GA 2 GF 10, Germany GA 3 GF 9; Aside from conceding 2 garbage goals to Switzerland after a 5-0 lead, no one has legitimately scored on the French. Beware as defense wins championships.
"Football is a simple game, 22 men chase as ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win." - English Striker Gary Lineker. Expect Dunkirk and a possible shootout.
Netherlands vs Costa Rica - Netherlands GA 4 GF 12, Costa Rica GA 2, GF 5. A clash of contrasting styles as Costa Rica's defense with only 2 goals allowed proves CONCACAF are not patsies.
A Clockwork Orange have allowed only 2 goals from the field (and 2 by penalty), their relentless attack somehow gets the job done.
Argentina vs Belgium - Belgium GA 2 GF 6. Argentina GA 3 GF 7; An absolute borefest where Belgium demonstrates their defensive prowess and offensive ineptitude.
Belgium will not expose the weak Argentine backline. Somehow, perhaps even by shootout, Messi is involved in the winning goal.
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