FIFA World Cup knockout stages

[The Waugh Twins]

Kinda funny that Brazil are appealing Silvas yellow card.

Seriously on what grounds are they appealing?

Maybe home grounds advantage.

[sussexpob]

Kinda funny that Brazil are appealing Silvas yellow card.

Seriously on what grounds are they appealing?

The fact that he should have been booked again three times before the final whistle??? In the interests of fairness and honesty?

[budgetmeansbudget]

There's a programme on sky sports at the moment called 'fooball's greatest international teams', which is focussing on Brazil's 82 team. Funny, as they didn't get past the second phase in 82. Great to watch though. Eder, Zico, Falcao, Socrates etc.

Brazil's 1970 team is the best ever by far.

Yeah, won't argue, though they were before my time. Always liked the Dutch team of the late 80's - early 90's. Their 1990 world cup team failed miserably though.

I don't remember the 1970 team either so can't really offer an opinion except based on other people's testimony and the little snippets i've seen of that World Cup. The only bits that come to mind are the Gordon Banks save from Pele and Rivalino crashing in the fourth goal in the final after a flowing move. I remember some cracking goals in the 1982 World Cup, Brazil scored their fair share and had some wonderful players but maybe they didn't gel as well as they should have. In the 1994 World Cup when they won on penalties they had some good players Bebeto, Romario, Leonardo and Dunga, although they were a more resilient team than in previous tournaments but with maybe less flair.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Kinda funny that Brazil are appealing Silvas yellow card.

Seriously on what grounds are they appealing?

The fact that he should have been booked again three times before the final whistle??? In the interests of fairness and honesty?

Does he get an extra match ban if his appeal fails?!

[Gingerfinch]

There's a programme on sky sports at the moment called 'fooball's greatest international teams', which is focussing on Brazil's 82 team. Funny, as they didn't get past the second phase in 82. Great to watch though. Eder, Zico, Falcao, Socrates etc.

Brazil's 1970 team is the best ever by far.

Yeah, won't argue, though they were before my time. Always liked the Dutch team of the late 80's - early 90's. Their 1990 world cup team failed miserably though.

I don't remember the 1970 team either so can't really offer an opinion except based on other people's testimony and the little snippets i've seen of that World Cup. The only bits that come to mind are the Gordon Banks save from Pele and Rivalino crashing in the fourth goal in the final after a flowing move. I remember some cracking goals in the 1982 World Cup, Brazil scored their fair share and had some wonderful players but maybe they didn't gel as well as they should have. In the 1994 World Cup when they won on penalties they had some good players Bebeto, Romario, Leonardo and Dunga, although they were a more resilient team than in previous tournaments but with maybe less flair.

I agree. People mention the old Brazilian teams having flair, and scoring loads of goals, but like you say, they were pretty resilient/solid. Romario was magnificent of course.

[Aidan11]

Di Maria is confirmed as being out of Argentina's semi final.

[Aidan11]

David Luiz will skipper Brazil against Germany so I guess they are not holding out any hope of Silva's yellow being overturned.

[mikesiva]

That's the problem with football now...you can play beautiful football a la 1982, but it won't win you trophies. Brazil played much more attractive football than Holland in 2010, but the Dutch kicked them out of the tournament, and didn't get many cards in that match. So, the lesson was clear...to reach a World Cup final, it's better to be tough than pretty.

To me, Argentina looked the best of the remaining bunch...they haven't hit top gear yet.

Holland played their best game in the first match, and seem to be in gradual decline since then. Brazil just haven't improved as a team, even though they are more attacking than the other three. Brazil are carrying a lot of passengers, but so are Germany. That said, Germany are organised defensively, so I pick them to come through tonight - only just!

My final...Argentina vs Germany.

[sussexpob]

To me, Argentina looked the best of the remaining bunch...they haven't hit top gear yet.

Holland played their best game in the first match, and seem to be in gradual decline since then. Brazil just haven't improved as a team, even though they are more attacking than the other three. Brazil are carrying a lot of passengers, but so are Germany. That said, Germany are organised defensively, so I pick them to come through tonight - only just!

My final...Argentina vs Germany.

I have a 100% guess rate in the knockouts, but it gets tough to pick these winners.

I have Germany over Brazil, no striker for Brazil hurts them, and losing a very influential defender at the back also. The German midfield is more dynamic, they have a plan B as they can keep the ball and take the sting out of Brazil.... I disagree about the defence point though, I think if Germany have a weakness it has been that no team has fully exploited the weakness at CB and left back they have. Had Neymar played, he would have done that, so the outstanding question for this match is thus...(a) Can Germany beat Brazil comfortably enough to factor out potentially one sided refereeing? (b) Can Hulk/Oscar really get Germany on the back foot (c) Can the Brazil CM's win the battle in the Engine room and simultaneously stop Germany playing, and create things themselves. Id go Germany 3-1 myself.

As for Argentina, the shock of this tournament has been their defensive power. No team has really looked like scoring much past them, save for moments in the Iran game when they ploughed everyone forward.

Holland have a secret weapon in Robben, a player who on his day is a match for anyone that has ever played the game. Messi is more consistent, but if these both play to their potential, they come close to cancelling each other out. I have a feeling that the difference between the teams rests in these players, and that difference may be how well Messi can strip back and happily operate in a restricted way when not getting the space, whereas Robben is much less aware of his team role, and can keep on going Hollywood style when its not working.

All in all, I can see it going to penalties easily, but I think Argentina have the better chance....

Have to agree Mike, Argentina v Germany final.

[Gingerfinch]

Germany to beat Brazil. Neymar is missing, Germany have players experienced in world cup semi's, and have more on the bench (Klose) if it gets close. Not sure about the other game?

[SaintPowelly]

Its stupid that the semis aren't played on the same day, tonights winner then has atleast 24 hours more rest.

[Aidan11]

Its stupid that the semis aren't played on the same day, tonights winner then has atleast 24 hours more rest.

They used to be the same day but at different times. Not sure when they changed it.

[Gingerfinch]

David Luiz can pass it like Beckham, but also defends like him.

[Gingerfinch]

Muller...........1-0

ball watching from the brazilians.

[Gingerfinch]

2-0

Congratulations to Klose!