Big Guns Have Finally Made It Through
Brasil 2014: In a World Cup that has so far regarded as a tournament for the underdogs, the remaining heavy weights finally pulled themselves together to reach the last eight. Brasil 2014 has been identified by many as the World Cup of shockers, after many big teams were forced to packed their bags and leave home as soon as the group stages.
The likes of 1966 World Cup winner England, four-time World Cup winner Italy and another European heavy weight Portugal have gone home early. But, nothing gets bigger than the defending world champion Spain's elimination.
Spain had a dream few years, when they won the 2008 Euros, 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euros. However the team many branded as one of the pre-tournament favourites was knocked out within a week the the tournament had started. Holland trashed them 5-1 in their opening match and then an inspired Chile beat them convincingly in the next match to make them the first ever defending champions to lose both of their opening games.
Also another surprise package was the minnows Costa Rica, who was placed in the group of death along side the previous World Cup winners Italy, England and Uruguay shocked the entire world to top the group by beating both Uruguay and Italy before playing out a draw in a meaningless game against England. They have carried their good form into the knock out stage as they progressed to the last eight in penalties against the 2004 European champions Greece.
With the platform being perfectly laid on for the underdogs, the so called heavy weights finally manged to pull themselves together to reach the quarter finals of Brazil 2014. Having said that the minnows did not get themselves eliminated without a fight.
Five of the eight last-16 matches needed extra time to find the winners. Among the five, two required the dreaded penalty shoot-out. The hosts, five time World Cup winners Brasil themselves needed a shootout to see off the well organised Chile.
Holland needed a late equaliser from Sneijder and an even later heroic dive from Robben in the dying seconds of normal time to win a penalty, which was converted by Huntelaar to help the Dutch reach the last eight.
France, 1998 World Cup winner also required a late goal keeper error for Pogba to score and an own goal in injury time to help them get past a resilient Nigeria. Last of the least Brasil's fiercest rival Argentina needed an 118th minute goal from Angel Di Maria to beat Switzerland.
So finally we have the last eight, with each match consisting atleast one of the so called tournament heavyweights the neutral fans will have some thing to cheer about. Even though the big guns have made it through to the last eight, the so called lesser teams can take a lot of heart from the way the tournament as gone so far. Thereby the likes of Colombia and Costa Rica can face their opponents without much fear in the last eight which starts on Friday.
Brasil 2014: In a World Cup that has so far regarded as a tournament for the underdogs, the remaining heavy weights finally pulled themselves together to reach the last eight. Brasil 2014 has been identified by many as the World Cup of shockers, after many big teams were forced to packed their bags and leave home as soon as the group stages.
The likes of 1966 World Cup winner England, four-time World Cup winner Italy and another European heavy weight Portugal have gone home early. But, nothing gets bigger than the defending world champion Spain's elimination.
Spain had a dream few years, when they won the 2008 Euros, 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euros. However the team many branded as one of the pre-tournament favourites was knocked out within a week the the tournament had started. Holland trashed them 5-1 in their opening match and then an inspired Chile beat them convincingly in the next match to make them the first ever defending champions to lose both of their opening games.
Also another surprise package was the minnows Costa Rica, who was placed in the group of death along side the previous World Cup winners Italy, England and Uruguay shocked the entire world to top the group by beating both Uruguay and Italy before playing out a draw in a meaningless game against England. They have carried their good form into the knock out stage as they progressed to the last eight in penalties against the 2004 European champions Greece.
With the platform being perfectly laid on for the underdogs, the so called heavy weights finally manged to pull themselves together to reach the quarter finals of Brazil 2014. Having said that the minnows did not get themselves eliminated without a fight.
Five of the eight last-16 matches needed extra time to find the winners. Among the five, two required the dreaded penalty shoot-out. The hosts, five time World Cup winners Brasil themselves needed a shootout to see off the well organised Chile.
Holland needed a late equaliser from Sneijder and an even later heroic dive from Robben in the dying seconds of normal time to win a penalty, which was converted by Huntelaar to help the Dutch reach the last eight.
France, 1998 World Cup winner also required a late goal keeper error for Pogba to score and an own goal in injury time to help them get past a resilient Nigeria. Last of the least Brasil's fiercest rival Argentina needed an 118th minute goal from Angel Di Maria to beat Switzerland.
So finally we have the last eight, with each match consisting atleast one of the so called tournament heavyweights the neutral fans will have some thing to cheer about. Even though the big guns have made it through to the last eight, the so called lesser teams can take a lot of heart from the way the tournament as gone so far. Thereby the likes of Colombia and Costa Rica can face their opponents without much fear in the last eight which starts on Friday.
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