Semi-finals to Savor!

Down to the last four teams of what has been a fascinating contest between the thirty-two finalist nations from across the globe, this is a time when each game’s special moments are firmly engrained in the history of the world’s favorite sport. As the last sixty games have treated us to goals galore, giant-killing performances, first-class goalkeeping and tactical master class, some may wonder what new the semi-finals will have to offer.

While the quarter finals of most World Cup finals boast the game of the tournament, tact and experience came to the fore at the Brazil 2014 quarter finals. Given the semi-final matchups at this tournament, we shall tune in more in expectation than hope that this round should deliver the game of the tournament. In the quarter finals, football’s super powers may have been hampered by the fear to lose to lesser opponents, but in a face off against each other, should be liberated to play to their respective strengths.

One half of the draw features a face-off between two of this tournament’s most captivating players. Messi’s moments of magic carried Argentina through their sluggish start to the tournament while Robben’s mesmerizing runs have kept all witnesses on tips of their toes. While home turf and the “Messi factor” tip the balance in Argentina’s favor, there is an element of suspense because no one can predict the impact of Netherlands’ maverick coach’s next move. After losing in three World Cup finals, the Dutch will be desperate to shed the title of “Greatest footballing nation to never win a World Cup.” The Dutch were arguably very unfortunate to lose the 1974 and 1978 finals, but having gone through the last round on spot kicks, they may start to believe that they have finally traded their misfortune for the luck of the Irish!

The other half of the semi-finals features two teams that have historically achieved the sport’s greatest success using quite contradictory methods. Brazil traditionally renowned for their flair and the German’s for their efficiency have recently appeared to switch philosophy. Especially robbed of Neymar, their poster boy, the Brazilians are expected to fight for every ball and probably win more out of will than ilk as they are fervently roared on by an entire nation. The German’s on the other hand move into their fourth consecutive World Cup semi-final playing a more possession based game and will be desperate to shed their new found tag of “Football’s nearly men”.

Given that no European team has ever won the World Cup on South American soil, Argentina and Brazil may be considered slight favorites heading into their respective ties. Should these two fierce rivals advance and get pitted against each other in the final, Brazil will have to face their greatest fear of losing another final on home soil, worse still, this time to their arch enemy. Netherlands and Germany will be desperate for their own success, and given the relative mediocrity of their South American rivals’ teams, will know that they may never have a better opportunity to assert European football supremacy. These contests may be too close to call, but it is the teams that have a greater desire to win than a fear to lose that will prevail!