Binge Media Sports: 2014 FIFA World Cup-Quarterfinals-Day 1
32 is now 8. Welcome back to Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. What a round of 16 fans all over the world were given. It started with the host country Brazil going to an exciting round of penalty kicks and surviving Chile and ended in heartbreak for US Soccer fans as the Americans couldn’t get past Belgium, even with a record-setting night from goalkeeper Tim Howard. Even Kupka was watching on vacation in DC and he sent me this shot after the loss. Everyone just standing around, much like the majority of the U.S. team in that last game.
And in between we had some great matches with some great teams, more penalty kicks, more surprises, and just some overall great soccer. But now we’re down to the final eight. As I did in the last round, I’ll give you two games per day. I’ll give you the broadcast time, what each team did in the last round, the poll results, and my own preview of the match itself. As always, you’ll then have a chance to vote for who you think will win. Thanks for coming along this World Cup ride with me and keep checking back in with Binge Media Sports for all your World Cup needs. Enjoy the quarterfinals and may all of my American readers have a Happy 4th of July.
TV BROADCAST: Friday, July 4th-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN2
Round of 16:
FRANCE- def. Nigeria 2-0
GERMANY- def. Algeria 2-1
Round of 16 Poll Results:
100% voted for France to advance
100% voted for Germany to advance
Match Preview:
Both teams started this World Cup on fire, but have cooled off a little as the tournament has progressed. Both also got tougher tests than they bargained for in the round of 16. France defeated Nigeria 2-0 in a game that was a hell of a lot closer than the final score indicated, and Germany was taken to extra time in their 2-1 defeat of Algeria. But now the two European powerhouses prepare to square off in the first World Cup quarterfinal.
France has struggled to break down their opponents in the last two matches, but were finally able to break through against Nigeria as Paul Pogba scored the decisive goal. His ability to get the offense going could put some pressure on a German defense that has looked vulnerable at times.
Germany is looking for a fourth straight World Cup semifinal, but since their 4-0 defeat of Portugal in the opener, they haven’t looked as aggressive. Yet, Thomas Muller has scored four goals in four games thus far and Germany’s bench has come up huge, especially in their round of 16 victory against Algeria.
France has four of the last six meetings with Germany and will probably enter this match as a slight favorite, but certainly don’t count the Germans out. Expect some great soccer and perhaps penalty kicks in this one.
[yop_poll id=”135″]
TV BROADCAST: Friday, July 4th-4:00 Eastern/3:00 Central-ESPN
Round of 16:
BRAZIL- def. Chile 1-1 (3-2 in penalty kicks)
COLOMBIA- def. Uruguay 2-0
Round of 16 Poll Results:
100% voted for Brazil to advance
50% voted for Colombia to advance
Match Preview:
The host country takes center stage once again as Brazil prepares for Colombia in the second quarterfinal on Friday afternoon. Brazil got here after a thrilling match against another South American foe, Chile, beating them in penalty kicks in dramatic fashion. Colombia had a little easier time of it, easily defeating Uruguay 2-0, who were without the suspended Luis Suarez.
For Brazil, Neymar has been doing what Neymar does. He has four goals in four games, but he’s struggling to find the help he needs from his teammates for Brazil to be the team everyone thought they would be coming into this World Cup. Tack on a thigh injury against Chile, and Neymar will need guys like Fred and Oscar to pick up the slack if the superstar isn’t going to be at 100 percent. With midfielder Luis Gustavo suspended after a second yellow card, the Brazilians may have trouble against a very dangerous Colombian offense.
James Rodriguez is becoming a star for Colombia. He scored both goals against Uruguay and has danced his way into the lead for the Golden Boot, now having scored five goals overall, one more than guys like Neymar and Lionel Messi. But he’s certainly not the only one playing well, as the entire Colombian team is playing like they were one of the favorites coming into this tournament. Goalkeeper David Ospina has only given up two goals thus far, as Colombia’s overall defense has been stellar.
Brazil may have been a favorite earlier in the tournament, but Colombia is clicking right now and has really been growing on me as a favorite to win it all. I expect to see a very fast-paced match here.
[yop_poll id=”136″]
Check back in tomorrow as I preview Day 2 of the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Tomorrow’s preview will feature Netherlands v. Costa Rica and Argentina v. Belgium. And even though the US is out, keep checking back for continuing coverage of the World Cup as many great teams remain. We’re in for a hell of a finish to this tournament. As always, if you feel the need to justify your picks, do so in the comments section below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.