Holland vs Argentina World Cup Semifinal Preview

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There is no shortage of history between Holland and Argentina when it comes to the World Cup. The two countries met in the 1978 final in Buenos Aires, where the hosts emerged with  3-1 triumph, and their first World Cup title.

20 years later in Marseille, Holland got their revenge, scoring a 2-1 victory thanks to one of the best goals in the history of the World Cup, scored by Dennis Bergkamp.

In total, Holland and Argentina have met four times on the biggest stage, with the Dutch holding a 2-1-1 advantage over their South American counterparts. Their last meeting was a dreary affair in 2006 that ended in a 0-0 draw.

Both sides have injury issues to deal with. Argentina will be without Angel di Maria who suffered a thigh injury in Argentina’s quarterfinal victory over Belgium. Holland will be without defender Ron Vlaar who picked up knee knock…

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Brazil vs Germany World Cup Semifinal Preview

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Despite the many surprise results that have dominated the discussion at the World Cup, the semifinals are left to the heavyweights of the sport. And make no doubt of it, Brazil and Germany are two of the absolute heavyweights, soccer has to offer. A combined 8 World Cups between the two. Two of the greatest players in the history of the sport, Pele and Franz Beckenbauer. All in all, Brazil and Germany are the gold standard in world football.

Despite the rich pedigrees these two sides have, they have only met once in World Cup history. The 2002 final in Yokahama. Ronaldo’s brace gave Brazil a 2-0 victory on that fateful day. Germany were shorthanded, as star midfielder Michael Ballack missed the final due to suspension.

The X-ray that shows the fractured vertebrae in Neymar’s back.

This semifinal has the tables turned as Brazil won’t be able to field their…

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France vs Germany World Cup Quarterfinal Preview

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France vs Germany. The history between these two nations is endless. Much of it is unpleasant to say the least. Of course, there is World War II, which saw the two nations and their respective allies fought a brutal, savage war that lasted six years, and millions of lives lost.

The 1982 semifinal in no way compares to the horrors of WWII, but it did intensify feelings and emotions between the two nations. The bad blood rose on the soccer pitch in Seville, when West German keeper Harald Schumacher flattened French defender Patrick Battiston with a crushing blow, as both men were going for a loose ball. Many observers thought that Schumacher deliberately tried to injure Battiston and thought the keeper should have been shown a red card. But the Dutch referee thought otherwise and didn’t call a foul. West Germany went on to win the match on penalties. France…

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France vs Nigeria Round Of 16 Preview

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It will be Europe vs Africa in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. Group E winners France will tangle with Group F runners-up Nigeria in Brasilia, to see who will reach the quarterfinals.

France topped Group E after victories over Honduras and Switzerland, while playing to a scoreless draw with Ecuador. Nigeria snuck into the knockout stage by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, drawing Iran while losing to Argentina. This will be their first ever meeting at the World Cup.

The French have lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in their Group Stage matches, so don’t expect any changes in that regard from manager Didier Deschamps.

Karim Benzema has been the best player for Les Bleus. The Real Madrid forward has scored three times in the tournament, and has been a menace inside the 18-yard box. Expect Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Valbuena to join Benzema up in attack…

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Holland vs Mexico Round Of 16 Preview

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A potentially mouth-watering fixture highlights Sunday’s action at the World Cup. Holland and Mexico have impressed throughout the tournament so far, and the two sides will clash to see who will go through to the quarterfinals.

Holland topped Group B by scoring emphatic victories over Spain, Australia and Chile. Mexico finished second in Group A, defeating Cameroon and Croatia, while holding the hosts Brazil to a scoreless draw. The last time these two countries faced each other in the World Cup was in 1998. It was in the Group Stage and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Dutch have used three different formations in their Group Stage matches, and one wonders what coach Louis van Gaal will have up his sleeve against Mexico. One thing is certain, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie will have an impact on the match.

Robben has had a spectacular tournament so far…

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Brazil vs Chile Round Of 16 Preview

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The Round of 16 kicks off Saturday with an all South American fixture as host nation Brazil and Chile will clash in Belo Horizonte.

Brazil topped Group A, scoring victories over Croatia and Cameroon with a draw against Mexico sandwiched between them. Chile won their first two fixtures over Australia and Spain, before falling to Holland in their final game of the group stage.

In their first two fixtures, Brazil used a 4-2-3-1 formation. Against Cameroon, they went with the pyramid 4-3-2-1 look and found success with it. Granted, it was against a weak Cameroon side but it could be a harbinger of the future for The Samba Boys.

As long as Neymar is scoring, it may not matter what look Brazil uses. The young superstar shares the lead with Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller with 4 goals in the competition. Spectacular and charismatic, Neymar is becoming of the stars…

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Time For The Last Bites on Luis Suarez

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Let me start out by stating I’m a fan of Liverpool FC. I’ve supported the Reds since 1984, when the likes of Kenny Daglish, Ian Rush and Graeme Souness led Liverpool to their third European championship. Through the good (5 European titles, 18 League titles) and the bad, (The tragedies at Heysel and Hillsborough) I’ve remained supportive of Liverpool FC.

But I cannot, nor will not, defend the actions of one Luis Suarez. We all know what happened by now. During the Uruguay-Italy fixture at the World Cup, Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder. The officials did not see it, and Suarez was not penalized. Not long after the gross incident, Uruguayan defender Diego Godin headed home a corner to give Los Charruas a shocking 1-0 victory. Uruguay advanced to the knockout stage, Italy are going home.

The Suarez incident made headlines around the world, and Twitter…

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Switzerland vs France Preview

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The last time France and Switzerland met in the World Cup was in 2006. Despite some hype by neutrals that the fixture would be terrific, it ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw that failed to excite. The two European nations renew acquaintances in Salvador in a critical Group E match, eight years later.

Both teams won their opening fixture in this World Cup. France scored a comfortable 3-0 over a thuggish Honduras side that was more interested in maiming their opposition, than playing football. Switzerland recorded a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ecuador, as Haris Seferovic scored in the third minute of stoppage time, to give the Swiss the points.

Switzerland lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Ecuador, and the feeling is they will stick with what works. With his heroic goal, Seferovic may have earned a place on the team sheet. The Real Sociedad striker showed more life against…

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Holland vs Australia Preview

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Two teams at the opposite end of the spectrum clash in Group B action at the 2014 World Cup. Holland got off to a roaring start by thrashing defending champions Spain 5-1, while Australia were defeated 3-1 by Chile in their opening fixture.

The Dutch were extremely impressive as they got their revenge against the team that defeated them at the 2010 World Cup Final. It was a return of Total Football for The Clockwork Orange that harkened back to the days of Johan Cruyff. Flowing in attack and finishing with aplomb, the Dutch served notice that they will be a threat in Brazil.

Holland surprised observers by lining up in a 3-5-2 formation against Spain. Coach Louis Van Gaal is a master tactician so one should suspect he used that particular formation specifically geared to play Spain. Expect the Dutch to possibly lineup in a conventional 4-3-3 against the…

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Brazil vs Mexico Preview

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A critical matchup in Group A highlights Tuesday’s action in the 2014 World Cup. The host nation Brazil will tangle with Mexico in a key fixture that could determine who finishes in first place in the group.

Both sides won their opening fixtures in the tournament. Brazil overcame a shaky start to defeat Croatia 3-1. Mexico overcame controversial calls against them to squeak out a 1-0 victory over Cameroon.

Brazil lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation but could easily switch to a 4-3-3 if necessary. No matter the formation, the key player to watch will be Neymar. The Barcelona winger scored twice in Brazil’s victory over Croatia and was a force throughout the match. Fred would be the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1, but will need to do more, than just dive in the penalty area.

Oscar was simply brilliant in Brazil’s opening match and will need to keep his…

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