Gonzalo Higuain lashed home a first-time volley which was enough to dump a frustrated Belgium side out of the World Cup. Argentina will face the winner of Costa Rica-Netherlands in the semi-final.
Diego Maradona against Belgium: the real story behind the famous image
In the pantheon of great World Cup photographs there is one which, in common perception at least, stands above the rest. It is the image of Diego Maradona being confronted by six Belgium players at the 1982 World Cup.
If ever a photograph encapsulates a player’s genius, this is surely it. It is a simple snapshot which, on face value, showcases Maradona’s audacity and the opposition’s utter terror at the prospect of facing him; terror exemplified by the sheer numbers they had apparently dispatched to mark him. Or such is the myth.
Continue reading Diego Maradona against Belgium: the real story behind the famous image | Jonny Weeks | Football | theguardian.com.
Brazil’s front pages react – A contrast between Luiz passion & Neymar Agony
Brazil’s front pages react to the win over Colombia.
Wheelchair-bound Neymar bids farewell to Brazil team mates
After being ruled out of the World Cup with a broken vertebra, Neymar, resigned to watching the remainder of the competition from a wheel chair, said his farewells to his Brazilian team mates before boarding a flight to Granja Comary where he will receive treatment at Brazil’s base camp.
The love-in continues as David Luiz insists James Rodriguez is already a World Champion
After consoling a tearful Ha-mez Rodriguez at the final whistle and gesturing to the crowd who the star of the World Cup is, the Luiz-Rodriguez love-in continued in a post match interview conducted in Spanish.
With one arm around Rodriguez, Luiz said “It’s not only the ones with the trophies who are the great champions. James has been brilliant, making great plays, scoring great goals, and he can leave here with his head held high, because he’s already a World Champion for everything he’s done at this World Cup.”
Rodriguez gushed back saying “Playes like him, Dani Alves, coming to talk to me, that made me very happy, so personally, thank you”.
Ah, it’s almost enough to make your heart melt.
Neymar ruled out of World Cup
Brazil forward Neymar has been ruled out of the World Cup after being injured in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia.
The 22-year-old was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital after being kneed in the back by Juan Zuniga.
A team doctor confirmed the Barcelona player fractured a vertebra in his back.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "Neymar was going to be hunted. For three matches that has been happening."
Continue reading BBC Sport – Neymar: Injured Brazil forward ruled out of World Cup.
David Luiz’ stunning 35 yard free kick vs Colombia
David Luiz’ stunning free kick proves to be the difference as Brazil progress to the semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Colombia.
Mats Hummels heads Germany into Semi-Final
Well that seemed simple enough. Mats Hummels applies a glancing header to Toni Kroos’ in swinging set piece which was enough to steer Germany past France into a World Cup Semi-Final for a fourth consecutive time.
Expect the Mats Hummels linked with European powerhouses to kick into overdrive.