World Cup Quarter Final 1 – Holland 2 vs. 1 Brazil
While it might not have been a total upset, seeing Brazil leave the World Cup at the Quarter Final stage will definitely have raised some eyebrows! And after 10 minutes it looked as though the 5 time World Cup winners were on the way to the Semi-Finals after Robinho opened the scoring.
In fact, the entire first half would have given most the impression that Brazil were already on their way, but after the break Holland came out with much more endeavour, and were rewarded with their first goal after Julio Cesar flapped at a cross and an own goal from Melo followed.
This gave Holland some confidence and after 68 minutes Sniejder gave the Dutch the winning goal as he headed in from a corner after Kuyt flicked on Robben’s cross. Things got worse for Brazil as Melo earned himself a red card for a stupid stamp on Robben, born out of pure frustration. While Brazil still tried to save the game, the whistle blew and sent the Dutch through as favourites against Uruguay!
World Cup Quarter Final 2 – Uruguay 1 vs. Ghana 1 (Uruguay win 4-2 on penalties)
A fantastic game ended in total heartbreak for Ghana, as they had the chance to win with the very last kick of the ball from the Penalty spot, which was missed by Gyan who will feel the weight of a country after the loss.
The game was an exciting battle between to competitive sides, which swayed in the favour of Ghana after 45 Minutes with a fantastic long range effort. After an opening period which saw Uruguay as the better side, Ghana finished the first half and started the Second half the better team.
However, Uruguay were still a threat at the opposite end, and it was Diego Forlan who drew the contest level with what has to be the best free-kick of a World Cup sadly missing such touches of skill. His free-kick completely wrong footed the goalkeeper and sailed into the back of the net.
In the last minute of the game, it was Ghana who had the chance to win the game as Suarez turned goalkeeper and blocked a certain goal with his hands. Asamoah Gyan hit the Crossbar and sent the game to penalties, which they lost thanks to two missed efforts. Ghana will feel very hard done by following such a deliberate handball which saved Uruguay from a Quarter Final exit.
World Cup Quarter Final 3 – Argentina 0 vs. 4 Germany
Germany cemented their position as World Cup favourites with a superb display against Argentina in which they dealt Argentina one of their worst defeats at a World Cup. Germany took the lead after just 3 minutes with a great header to signal their intent, but Argentina picked themselves up and evened the contest for the rest of the first half, as both teams carved out chances with no further scoring.
It wasn’t until the 67th minute that Germany added a second through the ever impressive Klose, who seems to come alive at International competitions. A fantastic move from Podolski left Klose with a simple tap-in from just off the line. This opened the game up and allowed Germany to punish Argentina on the counter, with the third goal coming from Friedrich, his first for Germany, thanks to a great move from Schweinsteiger which left him with a close range tap-in.
The fourth goal from Klose after 89 minutes after he expertly volleyed a sublime cross from Ozil to put the finishing touch on a fantastic result against Argentina who went into the game as favourites in many eyes.
World Cup Quarter Final 4 – Paraguay 0 vs. 1 Spain
Spain secured their place in the last four of the World Cup with a less than convincing display against Paraguay. Spain had been clear favourites going into this match, but Paraguay proved a harder opponent than expected. It was Paraguay who had the best chance to take the lead after they were awarded a penalty in the second half following a first half starved of serious chances.
Oscar Cordoza missed the penalty awarded as a result of Gerard Pique pulling him down in the box. Despite encroachment from the Spanish players, no re-take was awarded which was salt in the wounds for Spain who were awarded a penalty minutes later. After Xabi Alonso scored from the spot, the referee ordered a re-take, for encroachment, and of course, the result was Alonso missing the second attempt.
David Villa was there to spare Spanish blushes on the 82nd minute mark after Iniesta went on a fantastic run and laid off for Pedro who hit the post. The rebound found Villa who finished, by virtue of both posts, to take the victory and allow Spain the chance to redeem themselves in the next round.