FIFA World Cup 2014 Knock Out Stages
| 2014 Index |
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Knock Out Stages
2010 Tournament | World Cup Index | 2018 Tournament
| 2014 Index |
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Knock Out Stages
2010 Tournament | World Cup Index | 2018 Tournament
Brazil
Chile
After an epic game, Brazil came through when Gonzalo Jara hit the post with the last of Chile's shoot out penalties. Both teams went all out in the first half, which ended all square after Alexis cancelled out David Luiz's 18th minute goal. In the second half Brazil went off the boil after Hulk's goal was ruled out for hand ball and Chile almost stole the game when Pinilla rattled Brazil's crossbar in the final seconds of normal time.
Colombia
Uruguay
Days after their star player, Luis Suarez was sent home to start a four month suspension after biting an opponent, his team mates followed on. James Rodríguez put Colombia ahead in the 28th minute, collected the ball on his chest just outside the Uruguayan penalty area before swivelling to volley home what is likely to be one of the goals of the tournament. Rodríguez added another in the second half.
Netherlands
Mexico
An astonishing late fight back robbed Mexico of a place in the quarter-finals after they had out played the Dutch for most of the match. In stifling conditions (temperatures pitch side reached 38.8C) Dos Santos fired in a wonderful long range shot three minutes after the break. A brilliant display by Mexico's goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, kept the Dutch out as they attacked in waves but there was nothing he could do when Sneijder pounced on a loose ball and fired an unstoppable shot home on 88 minutes. Then, with extra time seconds away, Robben raced into Mexican penalty area where Marquez brought him down. In the tensest possible circumstances, Huntelaar held his nerve and converted the penalty.
Costa Rica
Greece
Costa Rica reached the quarter finals for the first time in their history but it was a close run thing. Ruiz had given them the lead (52') and 14 minutes later their captain, Duarte was sent off and Greece found themselves in the unusual position of having to attack. After a turgid 90 minutes, Costa Rica looked dead on their feet but seemed to have hung on when Papastathopoulos scored a dramatic injury time equaliser. Somehow, Costa Rica survived until the penalty shoot out when Navas saved from Gekas. Umaña converted the next penalty and the Central American side were through.
France
Nigeria
Nigeria dominated for long stretches of the match and even had a goal disallowed for offside but as the match wore on, France's experience told while the African side visibly tired. In the 79th minute Pogba headed in after Nigeria's goalkeeper, Enyeama flapped at a cross. Nigeria needed to press for a late equaliser but they had nothing left and with the defence in total dissaray, they conceded a needless corner in the 90th minute which was diverted into his own net by Yobo.
Germany
Algeria
Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
In yet another open, exciting contest, Algeria squandered their chances while Germany looked rattled at times. With no score after 90 minutes the game went into extra time and Schürrle finally broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart. Özil drilled the ball home in the 119th minute but immediately Djabou volleyed home to pull one back and set up a frantic last three minutes of added time.
Argentina
Switzerland
After 117 minutes of dogged effort, Argentina had not been able to break down a determined Swiss team and as extra time wore on, it was the side in red that was playing the more entertaining football. At that point Lionel Messi took the game by the scruff of the neck, picking up the ball 40 meters out and advancing on the goal: after beating Fabian Schär, he slipped the ball into the space created at the corner of the penalty where Ángel di María, who had had a nightmare of a game, shot first time into the far corner.
Belgium
United States
This was yet another brilliant and breathless match that Belgium managed to win with two goals in extra time. The Americans gave absolutely everything and refused to go quietly, scoring within two minutes of Belgium's second to set up a frantic finale. Although they were outclassed by Belgium, their sheer effort and the brilliance of their goalkeeper, Tim Howard (who made a record 15 saves in the match) kept them in the game to the final whistle.
France
Germany
A headed goal by Hummels in the 12th minute was sufficient for Germany who remained firmly in control for most of the match.
Brazil
Colombia
Brazil edged out Colombia in yet another thrilling match but victory came at a cost, David Neymar being taken off on a stretcher late in the game crying out in pain. X-rays subsequently showed he had fractured a veterbrae and would be out for months.
Argentina
Belgium
An early goal by Gonzalo Higuain was enough to take Argentina into the semi finals for the first time in 24 years. Belgium's "golden generation" were becalmed while the streetwise Argentinians were determined in defence and coherent as a team, Lionel Messi enlivening proceedings with occasional flashes of brilliance.
Netherlands
Costa Rica
Technically superior as they were, the Dutch could not break through Costa Rica's well organised defence. The match was fairly pedestrian until the last ten minutes of normal time when the Dutch beseiged their opponents' goal and only frantic defending and the woodwork kept them out. In extra time the Dutch continued to press but thanks to sturdy defending, a briiliant performance by Navas in goal and the woodwork, Costa Rica held on. With seconds to go van Gaal brought on Krul to replace Cillessen in goal. The gambit worked: Krul saved two penalties and the Dutch coach boosted his reputation as a master tactician.
Brazil
Germany
Without their injured talisman Neymar and, perhaps more significantly, their captain, Thiago Silva, who was suspended, Brazil would have to show they had the quality in depth to be serious contenders. In the event they suffered the worst humiliation in their history, arguably worse than the Maracanazo of 1950, at the hands of a German team that was little short of brilliant. The rout began with Müller's goal on 11 minutes followed by an extraordinary spell in which Germany scored four times in six minutes.
Netherlands
Argentina
The match was played out in midfield, neither side being able to penetrate the opposing defence. There were no clear cut chances until the closing stages and penalties seemed inevitable even before 90 minutes were up. Van Gaal had used all his substitutes so was unable to repeat his trick from Salvador and two of his nominated penalty takers refused to step up while the Argentinians were cool under pressure.
Both teams reverted to
traditional strips and Argentina wore black arm bands in the first half to honour Alfredo di Stéfano who died the previous day.
Brazil
Netherlands
The Netherlands piled on Brazil's agony with a comprehensive win, the first time that Brazil had lost consecutive home games since 1940. At the final whistle the Brazilian team were booed off the pitch.
Germany
Argentina
After an intense and absorbing game, a sweeping move and quite brilliant finish by Mario Götze seven minutes from the end of extra time secured Germany's fourth world title. Argentina started brightly enough and had several clear chances but they only had one shot on target throughout the whole match and for long periods were unable to get the ball. Germany's young side were certainly the best team in the tournament and look capable of dominating the world stage for some time to come.