Changing the Status quo

Given that twelve of the previous nineteen World Cup editions have been won by only three countries, a world cup elite group was inevitably been created in the subconscious of most fans and pundits. There is only a select group of countries that are viewed as realistically having a chance of winning the World cup or even make it to the semifinal stage of the tournament.   

After a pulsating first round at the 2014 world cup edition that has delivered a record number of goals, the knock out stages are being greeted by an air of anxiety as fans have been primed to expect the unexpected. There seems to be a changing of status quo as some heavy weights are knocked out by less traditional football powers and there are suspicions that this could be the World Cup when the semi-finals are finally graced by some different teams.

The biggest surprise of all is probably the emergence of Costa Rica from a group of previous world champions. Almost all predictions had a combination of two from Italy, England or Uruguay qualifying. No one would have expected that a Costa Rica team that was ranked at a lowly 66^th as recently as 2012 would so comfortably dispatch its illustrious rivals and make it to the next round with a game to spare. Given that every world cup usually has a “Cinderella story” of an unfancied team that makes it to the quarter finals, Costa Rica should overcome Greece to complete their christening as the 2014 World Cup Cinderella team.

Before we check in to see the progression of our Cinderella story, there is the little matter of the battle for South American supremacy to settle. Having impressively seen off the defending Champions, Chile has an opportunity to announce their emergence as a new power house by defeating the hosts. Chile’s skill, pace and power should give them the ability to more than match the pre-tournament favorites, but at this stage it will take flawless refereeing to hold out against pressure from the crowd. Colombia on the other hand should easily overcome a toothless Uruguay. Given that they were defiant about Suarez, their start striker sinking his teeth in an opponent’s shoulder; very few neutrals will regret Uruguay’s elimination.

Having barely sneaked into this World Cup after a chaotic qualifying CONCACAF campaign, Mexico has been one of the most impressive teams on show at the tournament. Facing an equally impressive Dutch side that only lost the last World Cup in extra time, this promises to be the most exciting game of the second round. I am tipping a moment of magic from Robben or van Persie to determine a very even contest in favor of the Europeans.

In a battle between Europe and Africa, events of the last few days lead me to think we may not have much of a contest especially between France and Nigeria. Despite impressing against Argentina, Nigeria’s performances at this tournament have left many wondering how they won the Africa Cup. Having lost a whole day of training as they joined two other West African nations demonstrating for unpaid allowances, one can’t help but imagine what these countries could have achieved if they focused nearly as well as their opponents. Algeria on the other hand will be extra motivated to punish Germany for their part in a conspiracy to eliminate Algeria from the 1982 World Cup group stages. I expect this to be a gritty contest that the Germans will finally edge tactically and with their quality in the attacking third of the field.

The final set of second round matches pits two of Europe’s emerging teams against the best from South America and COCACAF. Argentina which had to rely on Messi’s brilliance to get them through the group stages will need more of the same and a better team performance to keep their match towards a third World Cup title. I suspect this may be the stage where we finally start to see the best of Argentina. Belgium on the other hand considered favorites heading into their match up against United States have only demonstrated their strength in the last quarter of matches. Brimming with confidence after impressive performances against bogey side Ghana and Portugal, another of Europe’s power houses, I have a feeling that United States’ fighting spirit will overcome Belgium and force these two emerging European powers to wait until Euro 2016 to announce their arrival on the big stage.