Krul on Costa Rica, as Bryan Ruiz wishes he was lucky.

Quarter finals

France    0          Germany   1

                                    Hummels (12)

Brazil       2        Colombia   1

Silva (7)                     Rodriguez (80 pen )                                                    

Luiz (68)     

Argentina     1           Belgium    0

Higuain (9)

Holland     0               Costa Rica  0

Holland win 4-3 on penalties

The big four have made it through to the semi finals and if we are all honest it is probably the the line up we all wanted.  I was quite disappointed with the Germany France game it promised so much and ended up being an early goal defended by an ever efficient German team.  It certainly wasn't great to watch and I think France will look back and think if they just went for it a bit more they may have got the win.

Belgium similarly to France didn't give enough against Argentina, who I still think they are a one man band, although a very tidy finish from their striker Higuain was the telling factor in the game.  Belgium will be right up there with the favourites for Euro 2016 and this tournament will be a very good learning curve for them.  I was really hoping for a repeat of the semi final of 1996 when Maradonna  tore Belgium apart all by himself.

Ok, I want you six to man mark Maradonna.

 

Brazil are still on course for their first home win in the world cup after they saw off the Colombians.  It was a brave fight from the Colombians and really did we expect anything else.  David Luiz's freekick was a worthy winning goal and unfortunately for the enthusiastic Colombians they did not have enough on the night.  People will point to the referee and his assistants for not booking certain Brazil players,  and maybe showing a little too much leniency toward the hosts.  Brazil were the better team on the night and it was probably the right result, it is a bit harsh for James Rodriguez and his mates but they can leave this tournament very proud of their efforts.  They have certainly been a breath of fresh air.

Costa Rica the so called whipping boys of Group D  managed to take the Dutch to a penalty shoot out in the quarter finals of the world cup.  Only a last minute of extra time save from the Dutch keeper and an amazing goalkeeper substitution from Dutch manager Van Gaal is what ultimately saved the Dutch from going out.  Of course Holland were the dominant side and had all the best chances but if you don't take them it can bite you on the arse, luckily for the Dutch it didn't.   Although Bryan Ruiz's penalty was saved by Tim Krul he said he had no regrets about this world cup and the way he had performed.  He also added that a move abroad from Fulham was on the cards and that it would mean he would have to give up his other career as  Marky Pillows in  the West London based Wet, Wet, Wet tribute band he sings in called Moist, Moist, Moist. 

Marky Pillows.  He feels it in his fingers, he feels it in his toes.