Brazil vs Colombia clash adds spice to World Cup quarter-finals

For the first time since the FIFA World Cup expanded to 32 teams, all eight group winners have made the quarter-finals. The last eight is also split evenly between Central and South America and Europe, so the battle of the continents remains alive and well.

The magical Costa Rica team remains the big surprise of the tournament but the other seven would all have expected to still be in Brazil at this stage. The pre-tournament favourites are all present and accounted for, which has set up some mouth-watering matches.

The tastiest is the home side Brazil taking on the darlings of the tournament in Colombia. Jose Pekerman’s side has produced some of the most attractive football in this tournament and in James Hernandez have a rising star with the skills and belief to rival Neymar, but without the expectations of a nation wresting on his shoulders. The winner of this game could well turn out to be the winner of the whole shebang. Much depends for Brazil on Neymar’s fitness though, as he is in doubt for the game with an injury.

The other heavyweight clash is a rejuvenated France taking on a somewhat unconvincing Germany. France have produced some sparking attacking football under the steely-gaze of Didier Deshcamps, who has clearly picked his best team, while Germany has flattered to deceive despite the wealth of creative options at Joachim Loew’s disposal. His side has also uncharacteristically looked shaky at the back and could be ripe for the plucking.

There is plenty of history off the field, of course - World War I and World War II come to mind – to spice up the contest even further.

The other two contests pit the Americas against Europe. The Netherlands will face Costa Rica in what appears to be the largest miss-match in the quarter-finals but it would be foolish to count out Costa Rica after they knocked both Italy and England out of the tournament. Still you suspects the Netherlands have too much firepower – and in Arjen Robben too much pace and trickery – for them to slip up against the underdog.

That leaves Argentina and Belgium, two teams that have been underwhelming but two teams that have won four games out of four. Lionel Messi has been immense for his country but Iran and Switzerland showed even if he can’t be stopped, he can at least be contained. Belgium are full of promise and played perhaps their best game of the tournament against the USA, but still haven’t produced a completely convincing performance. A World Cup quarter-final against Argentina would not be a bad time for them to do so.

Quarter-final Schedule

4 July 9:30 pm: France vs Germany

5 July 01:30 am: Brazil vs Colombia 9:30 pm: Argentina vs Belgium

6 July 01:30 am: the Netherlands vs Costa Rica