World Cup 2014 Knock out stage discussion thread - Brazil VS Netherlands on Saturday
 

Discussion on about the knock out stage matches of World Cup 2014.

Can Neymar lead Brazil to glory? Or will Chile crush dreams of a home stage victory?

Can Netherlands pass Ochoa? Or will Ochoa null them?

Will Suarez bite all of Colombia figuratively or literally? Will Colombia´s team chemistry be too much for Uruguay?

Can Costa Rica be able to crack Greece´s wall of defense? Can Greece stop the surprisers from going forward?

Will Benzema be to much for Nigeria to handle? Or will Nigeria´s far shooters sadden France?

Will Messi crack the Swiss nut? Or will Shaqiri upset the Argentinians?

Can Algeria do the unthinkable and upset the Germans? Or will Germany just cruise through to the last 8?

Will Belgium live up to the huge expectations and go to the last 8? Or will USA knock the golden generation out of the competition?

Now that the last 16 is revealed, who does everyone think will go forward from each pairing and who will win it all?

Brazil vs Chile -> Brazil advances

Tough and even game, but i think with the help of the home crowd, Brazil will somehow find a way to win.

Netherlands vs Mexico -> Netherlands advances

Van Persie, Robben and co. have been quite good, but Mexico with the help of the magic fingers of Ochoa have been great too. I think Netherlands attack will eventually be too much for Mexico to cope, Ochoa´s workload will become too much to handle and i think he will allow 1-2 goals, which will be enough for a win.

Colombia vs Uruguay -> Colombia advances

Without Suarez, Uruguay´s offense lacks a certain last edge, which will show as fewer opportunities and goals for them. Colombia´s team play will be the key for them to win this match, i think.

Costa Rica vs Greece -> Greece advances

Costa Rica has been impressive as of now, have showed how good of a team they really are and in the process, surprised everyone. Now because of their performance, people are expecting them to advance to last 8. But now they will face an all defensive team like no other, a team whose tactic is proven to be very effective and has won them gold before. A team that can do really deadly counterattacks. A team that is very, very patient. The key to a Costa Rica victory is that same patience. They have to believe themselves. They have to believe that they can score against them and win. If Costa Rica frustrate themselves, when they push a towards a solid Greece, they will panic, which will show up as mistakes, which will lead to goal/goals for Greece.

As for Greece they have to what they do best: Defend, defend and counterattack. If they can execute their tactic successfully, they will win and advance.

France vs Nigeria -> France advances

France has been great as of now. If they keep up the same they will win, cause their offensive game is just too much for Nigeria and their defense to handle.

Nigeria has to get to a position to shoot and use their killer long shots and hope that they score enough goals or get enough corner kick opportunities. Also if Nigeria wants success, their defense has to be solid against an offensive team like France. If it´s not, they will collapse massively.

Argentina vs Switzerland -> Argentina advances

Argentina has too much of an offensive strength for the Swiss to handle. Their only concern is Shaqiri. If they are unable to keep him checked, they might be in trouble.

As for Switzerland, they need a solid defense to be able to prevent the Argentinian offence from getting too much scoring chances and scoring. France game showed, that they might not have it.

Germany vs Algeria -> Germany advances

Germany is too calm, collected and efficient for Algeria to handle. Algeria will give it their all and fight their hearts out, but fall just a little short. They will have an valiant battle against Germany, but ultimately fail.

Belgium vs USA -> USA advances

Belgium hasn´t been as good as everyone predicted them to be. They have been quite unimpressive. Their offense has been rather mediocre, their defense is wound worthy and their attitude and game at times has been a little lackluster, boring and slow, to say it kindly. If they can capture the magic they produced on the qualifying rounds, they are going to be okay. If they continue the the same way as they did on the group stage, USA is going to capitalize and go for a win.

USA has been a positive surprise. Their offense is good, their defense is quite good and they have a wall worthy goalie, who can be superior, if needed. On their last game against Germany they had be more defensive than ever before on this tournament, and as such their offensive play suffered, leaving them without good opportunities and thus scoreless. If they can play like they played in their first two games, they are close to a win.If they fall to defensive position all the time, they will have trouble.

So, any opinions?

Nigeria will knockout france for sure

Also great write up calderyon

^ Thank you. :)

Brazil vs Chile has started.

Predictions.


Brazil
Holland
Colombia
Costa Rica
Nigeria
Argentina
Germany
USA

18th minute; David Luiz scores from the corner and Brazil leads 1-0!!!

Looked like an own goal

The PSG connection for the goal.

32th minute: Alexis Sanchez levels the game!!! It´s 1-1!!! Horrible defending from Brazil.

We got a game now!

Brilliant half of football

54th minute: Brazil score a goal. Hulk makes it, but it has been disallowed, since Hulk received the cross with his shoulder. Handball is the official reason. Yellow card given also. Still 1-1.

59th minute: Luiz Gustavo from Brazil gets a yellow card and will miss the next match.

63th minute: Chile has a dangerous opportunity and Julio Cesar makes an incredible save.

Come on chile.

Sanchez is a player and a half, get him signed Brendan

Can't believe Hulk is being played over Willian and Bernard.

Brazil threatening here. D:

They all look knackered already.

It's going to be a long 30 minutes of extra time for them

Full time. 1-1 the score. Extra time imminent.

I smell penalties.

Amazing game tbh