A Battle Against History

With a flurry of first round goals and nail biting finishes to second round games, we eagerly anticipate the new twist that will be delivered by the quarter finals of World Cup 2014.

With seven of the last round’s games not decided until the last 10 minutes, it is ironical that only the game featuring Uruguay did not have a nail biting end. Whether this was down to the brilliance of James Rodriguez and the Colombia stars or the absence of Uruguay’s star striker, a match up against the host nation in the next round is the best way to settle this debate. With only the crossbar preventing Mauricio Pinilla’s shot from settling the tie against the hosts in favor of Chile, this game also offers Brazil’s Seleção an opportunity to finally prove their doubters wrong. While many pundits believe that history and home support will inspire Brazil to step up their game, I am backing Colombia’s collective strength and ambition to reveal a fighting spirit the Los Cafeteros have not needed so far in this tournament. Unlike any other World Cup tournament, Brazil has the extra motivation to correct the only blemish on their record, being the only major soccer power yet to win a major tournament as hosts. With history beckoning for both nations, this looks like a tie that will be settled in favor of the team with the greater will.

Before Colombia can overcome their historically dominant South American rival, France will have a score to settle with their European nemesis. Despite looking the more complete team this tournament and having the motivation to complete their renaissance since a shambolic showing at World Cup 2010, France will face a German team equally determined to end a run of three impressive major tournaments without silver ware. Given France’s sequence in the last four world cups of first round elimination preceding progress to the final, World Cup 2014 may be earmarked for a French final. While the Germans have not looked imperious since their opening day thumping of Portugal, Germany is probably at their most dangerous when they do not look their best. The older French generation will know first-hand that after taking a 3:1 semi-final lead in extra time against the Germans in 1982, they had a place in the final snatched from their grasp. In a contest that is almost impossible to objectively call, it will be interesting to see what aspect of history will be overcome.

Although Belgium boasts one of the most complete squads at this World Cup, 1986 is the only time in their rich World Cup history that they have made it to the quarter final stage. Given their recent run of results, Belgium’s presence at the quarter finals is no surprise and neither will a victory against previously fancied Argentina. As Messi finally discovered form for the national side, an Argentina squad that has an embarrassment of attacking talent was tipped to triumph on the familiar territory of their bitter South American rivals. Argentina’s performances so far have however left more questions than answers given their over reliance on Messi to keep them in the tournament. Roared by most Brazilian fans that cannot stand the thought of their archenemy hoisting the world cup on their territory, Belgium has a great opportunity to make the World Cup Semifinals for only the second time in history.

When the draw was made, I was tempted to brand Costa Rica the light weight of the round and their tie against the Netherlands the only one that I could predict with some confidence. I was quickly reminded that when the first round draw pitted Costa Rica against three former World Champions, almost all pundits did not give them a chance. Costa Rica went on to defy predictions by not simply qualifying from the group but doing so as group winners and with a game to spare. Fast, fearless and aggressive, they are without a doubt the “Cinderella Story” of World Cup 2014. With the exception of South Korea which made it to the semi-finals as hosts of World Cup 2002 and helped by controversial decisions against Italy and Spain respectively, the “Cinderella Story” usually ends in the quarter finals. Although I do not fancy them to, Costa Rica has a great opportunity to create the most impressive World Cup “Cinderella Story” in World Cup history.

Whether it is a battle to make history or to defy history for their nations, let the games begin!