Recap of Final Games: Holland Easily Capture 3rd and Germany Wins World Cup

The final two games were the third place game (Holland vs. Brazil) and the final (Germany vs. Argentina). In the third place game, Brazil tried to avenge a 7-1 loss to Germany in the semis, while Holland lost in PKs to Argentina. In the 3rd minute, Holland was up when Arjen Robben got a nice pass from Robin van Persie. Robben was past all the defenders, but Thiago Silva pulled him down, earning just a yellow and a penalty shot for Holland, even though it was outside the box. van Persie then converted to make a lead for Holland. It was 2-0 in the 16th when Brazilian defender David Luiz headed one straight to Daley Blind, who used his left foot to strike it right high up. Oscar shot one low in the 21st that was saved by Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen. In the 63rd, David Luiz hit a free kick over the wall, but Cillessen stopped it. In the 68th, Oscar went down by Blind in the box, but Oscar received a yellow for diving. Netherlands clinched 3rd place in the 91st minute when Georginio Wijnaldum got a cross low from Daryl Janmaat in the middle and struck it low at the near post. Brazil lost two games in a row since 1940 at home and got 4th after winning 4 of their first 5 games.
The final game was Germany vs. Argentina. Gonzalo Higuain of Argentina missed two chances, with a one on one chance wasted with a shot wide in the 21st and the other was a connected cross that resulted in a goal ruled out for offsides in the 30th from a Ezequiel Lavezzi cross. And then his teammate sub Rodrigo Palacio was also one on one in extra time, but his shot was wide. For Germany, in the 45+2nd minute, Benedikt Howedes headed off the post before Argentina keeper Sergio Romero stopped it. Lionel Messi of Argentina did get the Golden Ball award being the tournament`s best player after the match. Andre Schurrle shot it high from a clever pass from Thomas Muller, but it was saved. Messi had a chance in the second half, with only Germany keeper Manuel Neuer to beat, but his shot was dragged wide. In extra time, Schurrle had a chance when sub Mario Gotze passed to him, but his shot was stopped by Romero. Gotze score the winner in the 113th when Schurrle crossed to Gotze, off his chance, shot on his first touch past Romero for the win. Messi had a chance in stoppage time, but his free kick was off target.

Predictions for Final Games

3rd Place Game: Netherlands-Brazil
Yes, this game is already done but that doesn`t mean I can`t write what I thought that would have happened. Before the game, I predicted Netherlands will win 3-1 because of their offense. For Brazil, they have allowed 8 goals and scored only one goal in this World Cup without Neymar. With him, they have scored 10 goals and allowed only three ( 4 goals scored by Neymar). Netherlands have lots of stars on offense, with van Persie, Sneijder, and Robben. I predicted Brazil will score one late after Netherlands scored three quick goals.
Final: Argentina-Germany
I predict Germany will win 2-0 because almost everyone has had the chance to score (excluding their keeper). Their defenders have had chances on set pieces, and their midfielders and offense easily scored goals against Brazil (and the ones that didn`t were the shots that Brazil were lucky that their loss wasn`t worse). Argentina have scored an average of .66 goals during the knockout stage this World Cup, Germany an average of 3.33. Germany can stop Messi and his helpers most likely, while the Germany offense will likely get at least one past Argentina keeper Sergio Ramos.

Semifinal Recap: Argentina Advance Thanks to Penalties

The last semifinal game was Argentina vs. Netherlands. There were very few chances, with one in the 15th minute by a Lionel Messi free kick that was saved by Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen. The chances were very scarce in the second half, as the only shot on goal in the 90 minutes was the 15th minute free kick by Messi. In extra time, Rodrigo Palacio headed one straight at Cillessen. In the 117th, Messi crossed to Maxi Rodriguez, who headed one weakly at Cillessen. After the very few chances, it went to penalties. Argentina keeper Sergio Romero stopped Wesley Sneijder`s and Ron Vlaar`s penalty shots, allowing Arjen Robben`s and Robin van Persie`s kicks. But it was enough as Argentina converted on their first four shots to send them through with scores through Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero, and Rodriguez. Rodriguez clinched the spot to the final when his shot bounced off Cillessen, off the crossbar, and in. Argentina will face Germany in the final, while Netherlands will face Brazil in the third place game. 

Germany-Brazil Recap: Brazil Humiliated at Home by Germany Leads to Tears

The first semi final game was Germany vs. Brazil, a game in which many predicted close. But no one expected Germany to win 7-1 when Brazil didn`t have their star forward Neymar (injury) or captain Thiago Silva (suspension).In the 11th minute, Germany first scored through Thomas Muller when he volleyed the ball from a corner unmanned and shot it past Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar for the lead. But Germany would later score 5 goals in a 6 minute span, starting with a 23rd minute goal by Miroslav Klose, who set the record for most WC goals by one person all time when Muller passed to Klose who converted on his rebound when Cesar saved his first shot. In the 24th, it was 3-0 when Phillip Lahm went to Toni Kroos who shot it on his first touch low to the back post. Two minutes later, Kroos scored his second when he tipped it past Cesar after having passes with Sami Khedira. The scoring in the first half ended in the 29th when Khedira stole the ball from Brazil and easily shooting it past Cesar. The fans were shocked and many were in tears before the half ended. Brazil had their best chances when German keeper Manuel Neuer stopped Oscar`s shot in the 51st and Neuer stopped Oscar`s close range shot in the 52nd before stopping Paulinho twice a minute later. German sub Andre Schurrle scored twice when he scored in the 69th when tipped in the cross from Lahm and scored in the 79th from Muller`s pass, and shot from a tight angle over Cesar, off the crossbar, and in. Oscar scored for Brazil in the 90th when he shot a high strike past Neuer. Germany will face Argentina in the final on Sunday, while Brazil will play for third vs. Holland on Saturday. 

Semi-Final Prediction: Argentina vs. Netherlands

Argentina vs. Netherlands
After a shocking result yesterday with Germany easily dominating Brazil, we have to get past that and look forward to Argentina vs. Netherlands. I predict Argentina wins 1-0 but it will be a very close game. Both teams have only scored twice in the Knockout rounds and have won by one goal or penalties. Without Di Maria, Argentina will most likely have less chances, if Costa Rica can shut out Holland, why not Argentina. Van Persie isn`t 100 percent, and their chances haven`t been great. Expect Messi or Higuain to score the only goal.

Semifinal Prediction: Germany vs. Brazil

Germany-Brazil
I predict Germany wins 2-1 because of Brazil losing two key players. Neymar, their star, is ruled out for the rest of the World Cup for Brazil and Thiago Silva, their cap who scored last game, will miss this match with a yellow card. Germany has shown strength by stopping France in which many predicted Germany upset, but like many other teams, scored just enough goals to advance. Defense will be the key to winning.

Quarterfinal Recaps: Netherlands End Cinderella Story and Argentina End Belgium

The final quarterfinal games were Netherlands vs. Costa Rica and Argentina vs. Belgium. In the Argentina vs. Belgium game, Argentina scored the only goal when Lionel Messi took the ball away from Belgium and then passed to Angel Di Maria. Di Maria looked for Pablo Zabaleta, but his pass went to Gonzalo Higuain, who scored on his first touch with a shot at the far post past Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois. Argentina keeper Sergio Ramos soon had to save Kevin De Bruyne`s 20 yard drive. Di Maria left in the 33rd minute when he got a thigh strain. Higuain nearly scored again in the 55th when his header went wide. Argentina, obviously the better team, failed to kill the game off but advanced with the 1-0 win and will face the Netherlands next.
The last quarterfinal game was Netherlands vs. Costa Rica. Netherlands had many chances in the 90 minutes, with the first being Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas stopping Robin van Persie`s shot before getting the ball from Wesley Sneijder`s shot. In the 29th, Navas used his boot to block Memphis Depay`s shot. In the 34th, a Costa Rica setpiece came close when Christian Bolanos headed one that was cleared off the line. Navas soon stopped Sneijder`s 25 yard strike when Navas dove to his right. In the 81st, Sneijder`s free kick went past Navas but hit the post before it was cleared. Van Persie was stopped twice late in the 84th when Navas Stopped his again when van Persie got a loose ball, and in the 89th with a wide open hit, deflected off a defender on the line before off the crossbar and ending in a goal kick. Sneijder beat Navas again in extra time but it hit the crossbar. Costa Rica`s only shot on target was in extra time when Holland keeper Jasper Cillessen stopped Dave Myrie`s close range shot. Before extra time was done, Cillessen was subbed off for keeper Tim Krul, the first time a keeper was subbed for penalties in WC history. In penalties, Arjen Robben, van Persie, Sneijder, and Tim Kuyt converted on their shots, as for Costa Rica, made 3 of 5 with Michael Umana and Bryan Ruiz had their shots stopped and failed to advance with Holland facing Argentina next.