World Cup ready for final-four showdown
Germany face Brazil and Argentina take on the Netherlands as the favorites from football's rival continents reach the semifinals.
No European team has ever lifted the World Cup on South American soil but now two teams from Europe find themselves within touching distance of football’s ultimate prize.
If either Germany or the Netherlands reach the final Sunday it will only be the third time a European side has progressed to the tournament’s last game, following in the footsteps of Czechoslovakia in 1962 and the Dutch in 1978.
On both occasions the Europeans were beaten by either one of the sides that line up against them in this year’s semifinals -- Brazil won in Chile in 1962 while Argentina secured a home victory 16 years later.
But aside from this hoodoo hanging over the cross-Atlantic visitors, it is perhaps hosts Brazil who are facing the greatest pressure -- as they have done since the start of the competition.
To make matters worse, the five-time winners are now without star striker Neymar due to injury and suspended full-back Thiago Silva as they face Germany on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte's Mineirao Stadium.
Joachim Low, Germany's boss, seems to be in a more relaxed position than his opponent, Luiz Felipe Scolari, since the only missing member of the German squad is the injured Shkodran Mustafi.
Argentina will play the Netherlands on Wednesday, following their 1-0 defeat of Dutch neighbors Belgium in the previous round. Both sides approach the semifinal having won all their games so far in this World Cup.
But winger Angel Di Maria is suffering a thigh injury, which rules him out for the next game in Sao Paulo, although striker Sergio Aguero is recovering to fill the gap after missing two games.
The Netherlands enjoyed their penalty shoot-out win against surprise quarterfinalists Costa Rica, thanks largely to substitute keeper Tim Krul saving two goals after a goalless extra time.
They face a tougher opponent than previous rounds but coach Louis Van Gaal hopes his side will be able to keep Argentina’s attacking talent at bay and get through to the final at the Maracana stadium.
