After a thrilling week of Round of 16 matches ultimately resulted in all eight group winners advancing despite valiant efforts from each underdog nation, the 2014 World Cup is set with what is a classic set of quarterfinal matches.
Hosts Brazil will take on undefeated dark horse Colombia who are looking to give their country the World Cup dream they thought they had in 1994 before tragedy struck, but only after European rivals France and Germany clash in the early quarterfinal match on Friday.
Then on Saturday South America contenders Argentina will take on Belgium in a battle of unbeaten teams who both needed extra time goals to escape Round of 16 upsets on Tuesday while Netherlands will try to avoid falling victims to another upset from Costa Rica as the Dutch take on the Ticos.
Excited for the second stage of the World Cup knockout round? Here is what you need to know about each matchup:
France vs. Germany
For the past 20 plus years two of the most consistent nations in international football have undoubtedly been the French and the Germans. The track record speaks for itself with both Germany and France hovering near the Finals of most major tournaments as if the French weren't contending, surely the Germans were filling the void even when Spain was dominating everyone for the past half decade.
Now with Spain out of the picture there is a chance for two nations that haven't seen their consistency rewarded with a trophy in over a decade will be faced up against each other with an opportunity to make it to the World Cup semifinals and face the winner of Brazil and Colombia.
For France a win would get them one step closer to removing the taste of disgrace out of the minds of French fans who felt cheated when their players turned on their manager during the 2010 World Cup and failed to get out of the group stage after making the 2006 Final.
As for the Germans, their "Golden Generation" has made it to the Euro 2008 Final and semifinals in the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, often finding themselves crushed by Spain. With their old nemesis out of the picture, battling injuries is the key to Germany realizing their destiny as well as finding consistent play out of their fullbacks as they were exposed at times against Algeria. Against a French team led by Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud, that simply cannot happen as France will be able to finish the chances on the counter that Algeria did not.
Regardless it is hard to see past a German team that has so much world class talent in attack as well as the midfield. Throw in the presence of the world's best keeper in Manuel Neuer and Germany's World Cup dream should continue even if manager Jogi Low would be better served playing players with more pace on the defensive wings. Germany's depth in attack results in another late win, potentially off the boot of Miroslav Klose who is still one goal away from becoming the best World Cup scorer of all time.
Prediction: Germany 3-1
Brazil vs. Colombia
Many causal fans were left shocked that the host Brazil were nearly upset by a resilient Chile in their first knockout round performance, but for those who paid attention to their play during the group stages it was not surprising that a Brazil side that drew Mexico was taken to penalties.
Fact of the matter for Brazil is that they struggle to score for whatever reason, mostly because strikers Fred and Jo are accomplished only in their domestic league and fail to compliment the world class play of Neymar and Oscar on the wings.
Meanwhile Colombia has no such problems as James Rodriguez has been a revelation during the World Cup, scoring the goal of the tournament against Uruguay in a two goal performance. He is not Colombia's only dangerous player either, and while many will once again pick the hosts to go through, do not be shocked if Colombia continue to run their opponents to the ground with the best counter attack at the World Cup.
Prediction: Colombia 2-1
Argentina vs. Belgium
Two teams with loaded attacks who failed to score inside of 90 minutes will look to turn it around when Belgium and Argentina clash.
Argentina needed 118 minutes to score against Switzerland, nearly getting eliminated and taken to penalties if not for some disappointing finishing that eventually doomed the Swiss as Messi's assist to Angel Di Maria proved to be the decider in a 1-0 victory.
For Belgium they failed to score after 90 minutes thanks to a world class performance from American Tim Howard, but two goals in the first half of extra time allowed them to hold on despite also nearly losing. American finishing also giving them new life as Chris Wondolowski and Clint Dempsey misses prevented a United States upset.
This match will likely come down to finishing, something that both teams have surprisingly lacked despite having undefeated records and wins in all of their matches.
Argentina on paper would appear to be most likely to turn things around based on the connection between Messi and Di Maria, but Belgium have been the World Cup dark horses since forever and also haven't cracked yet. Expect another match that will come down to final minute fireworks, but with the atmosphere likely to be tilted towards the South Americans thanks to neighbouring Argentina's large support in Brazil it is hard seeing Messi and company not living to fight one more day.
Prediction: Argentina 1-1 (Argentina win on penalties)
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica
After three matchups between pre-tournament contenders, the quarterfinals will close with a David vs. Goliath contest as Costa Rica will look to ride their Cinderella run one step further after escaping on penalties against Greece after taking a red card.
The Dutch also needed some heroics from Wesley Snjeider and Arjen Robben to come from behind with two minutes left to beat Mexico 2-1 in their Round of 16 matchup, momentum that has me thinking of a Netherlands rout in this one.
Prediction: Holland 3-0
