The Biggest and Best of the World Cup Quarter-Finals
Best Team Performance: Germany
Before the World Cup, nobody fancied Germany to go all the way. Three weeks later and Joachim Low‘s side are two matches away from adding a fourth World Cup crown to Germany‘s illustrious football history. After dismantling England 4-1 in the Round of 16, Germany went one step further in the Quarter-Finals by thrashing tournament favourites Argentina 4-0. An all-round team performance capped off by three separate goalscorers and some refreshingly unselfish play, coach Joachim Low must be credited for instilling new found flair and belief into Germany‘s traditionally well-oiled machine.
Nothing but a team game for Germany
Biggest Star: Thomas Muller
The heartbeat of Germany‘s young fledglings, Thomas Muller has exploded at this summer’s World Cup. A candidate for Player of the Tournament, Thomas Muller has grabbed his chance under Joachim Low churning out world class displays against England and now Argentina. Developing a knack for popping up in the right place at the right time, the Bavarian’s intelligent use of possession mixed with a bold willingness to race past his marker helped inspire Germany to a dismantling of Argentina‘s World Cup dreams. The only sour note for Muller is that he’ll miss the Semi-Final against Spain after picking up a second yellow card.
Best Clash: Ghana v Uruguay
This match had everything. Deafening vuvuzelas, long-range goals, missed penalties, extra-time, more missed penalties, broken hearts and enough drama to fill a 38-match season. The last African side in the competition bowed out with their heads held high, although try telling that to Asamoah Gyan who missed a last-minute chance at immortality from 12 yards out.
Appiah and Gyan share a few words after the latter's pivotal miss
Biggest Debate: Luis Suarez’s Goalkeeping
With seconds ticking down in the Ghana v Uruguay clash, and the match destined for penalties, Ghana launched one final attack into the Uruguayan box and a series of ricochets and blocked shots finally came to an end when Uruguay‘s Luis Suarez, standing on the goal line, flapped his hands at a goal bound effort. The referee immediately sent Suarez packing. Ghana‘s Asamoah Gyan smashed the subsequent penalty off the crossbar and the African nation never recovered.
Biggest Loser: Felipe Melo
Brazil took an early lead against the Netherlands thanks to some route one football that left Robinho free in the box to side foot the ball past Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal. Coasting to the Semi-Finals, Brazil‘s challenge was turned on its head in the 53rd minute when Felipe Melo flicked Wesley Sneijder‘s free-kick into his own net. The game’s momentum quickly turned in favor of the Dutch and five minutes later, following another mazy dribble by the influential Arjen Robben, Felipe Melo confirmed Brazil‘s exit from the tournament by maliciously stamping on Robben‘s leg. The dogged defensive midfielder returned to the changing room to watch his country crash out of the tournament by conceding a second goal to the irrepressible Sneijder.
Felipe Melo couldn't control his monster within as Brazil crashed out
Best Stat: Foreign Territory
Only two nations have won the World Cup outside their continental confederation. Brazil have won in Europe (1958), North America (1970 and 1994) and Asia (2002) while Argentina won in North America (1986). Of the four World Cup 2010 semi-finalists, only Uruguay and Germany have been crowned World Champions.
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World Cup 2010 First Week Highlights
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