BY Victor Akhidenor
Ahead of the semi-finals of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup kicking off on Tuesday, we bring you the 10 most memorable moments of the quarter-finals, beginning from Thiago Silva’s thigh goal and ‘keeper Krul’s heroic penalty saves .
Never mind that about half of the moments are from the all South America affair between Brazil and Colombia. This is only proof that it was the game of the round!
Brazil captain, Thiago Silva, delivered a sensational performance against Colombia to ensure the hosts are now just a step away from reaching the World Cup final. But it was not just his performance that caught the eye, his goal did, too.
Neymar’s corner after just seven minutes, aimed for the head of either Fred or David Luiz, missed both men and was directed into the Colombian net off Silva’s thigh. It sounds like a fluke, but the celebration wasn’t. The 29-year-old pointed to the emblem on his jersey shouting, “This is Brazil; this is Brazil.”
Yes, this, indeed, is Brazil!
Few days after his namesake, Davido, won the Best International Act: Africa BET Awards aka Black World Cup, David Luiz scored arguably the best free kick in the real World Cup in Brazil’s 2-1 win against Colombia.
Luiz has scored his fair share of free kicks during his career, but none will likely be as important as this one in Fortaleza and it is hard to think of one better either.
A lot has been said about the lack of fantasy in Luis Felipe Scolari’s team, but the free-kick delivered from 25 yards that curled and dipped beneath David Ospina’s crossbar was the equal to anything Rivellino produced for the finest Brazilian team of 1970.
Luiz’s celebration was wild and unhinged: a release of passion after a moment of brilliance.
Juan Camilo Zuniga’s name is quite a mouthful, but it is on the lips of every Brazilian after being the country’s number-one public enemy. The Colombian would probably need a mask if he ever dreamt of returning to the beaches in Brasilia in order not to be spotted.
Poster boy, Neymar, was stretchered off and will miss the rest of the World Cup after fracturing his vertebra when he was kneed in the back by Zuniga.
Neymar may be 22, but he has dragged Brazil through this tournament so far. The Barcelona forward’s pace, trickery and eye for goal make him a nightmare to defend against. With four goals, the former Santos man is Brazil’s top scorer, and he also scored the crucial penalty to knock Chile out in the previous round.
Zuniga will pray Bernard or Willian offers same class with Neymar in the Selecao’s game with Germany or face eternal damnation from the Poster Boy numerous fans.
James Bond had Miss Moneypenny in 007 movies; James Rodriguez had a cricket in Brazil!
The Colombia star left the World Cup with six goals, a heavy heart and one unusual companion on his arm.
Rodriguez threw his side a lifeline late in the quarter-final defeat by Brazil when he scored a penalty and celebrated the strike unaware a huge green insect was celebrating with him.
The Monaco playmaker was crying at the end of the match in Fortaleza but the tears meant nothing to his new sidekick.
Well, not really a pummeling but because the match offered little in entertainment, a pun is a welcome entertainment.
Germany were hardly firing on all cylinders against France in the round’s dullest match, but they could still count on the best player on the pitch. Mats Hummels scored the opener with a precise header and proved a rock at the heart of the defence, making block after block as France pressed late on.
Enough said of a drab game where a header is the memorable moment.
Gonzalo Higuain had been a ghost so far in this World Cup, but against Belgium he took physical form. He scored the only goal of the game and almost added a second when he ripped a shot off the crossbar (more on that later).
Higuain managed to control a bouncing ball on the turn, finding the corner of the net behind Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. It was a tough finish because Angel di Maria’s pass took a slight deflection before coming to the Lazio striker.
It was Higuain’s first goal for his country since August 2013.
That in itself was cause for celebration.
Nerves in a World Cup quarter final can get the better of any player – even one of the best players in the world.
Lionel Messi proved that he is human after all, by failing to finish past Thibaut Courtois and add to his four-goal haul when through on goal.
Argentina were on the counter as Belgium threw men forward but Messi played his shot straight at Courtois. Some legends do have them!
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella was overzealous in his response to forward Gonzalo Higuain hitting the bar against Belgium – leaning back too far in frustration and falling over.
Higuain had already put Argentina ahead after eight minutes with a fine turn and shot, but he went on a magnificent run before smashing a shot against the woodwork in the 65th minute.
Sabella reacted by closing his eyes and leaning back in frustration, but the 59-year-old lost his balance and ended up spinning and hurtling towards the dugout. He was caught by one of his backroom staff who prevented him from smashing into the plastic covering .
It was an unusual gamble reminiscent of Vincent Enyeama/Dele Aiyenugba swap during Enyimba’s CAF Champions League final triumph in 2004.
Louis van Gaal’s gamble paid off, too, after his change of goalkeepers earned the Netherlands a penalty shootout success over Costa Rica.
With the game goalless entering injury time at the end of extra time, Van Gaal removed Jasper Cillessen and sent on Tim Krul, who duly saved spot-kicks from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana to secure the Dutch a 4-3 victory on penalties and, with it, a semi-final date with Argentina in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
This was the first time at the World Cup that a goalkeeper came on as a sub solely for a penalty shootout.
Like Okey Emordi, like van Gaal!
Celso Borges stepped up to take the first penalty and defied any idea of pressure, slotting it beyond the despairing grasp of Krul and into the back of the net. Robin van Persie made amends for his poor performance, as he beat Keylor Navas to make it 1-1.
Bryan Ruiz stepped up to the plate, with Krul playing mind games with the Costa Rica captain. The tactic paid off, as the Dutch keepers sprawled down to his left and turned the penalty round the post. Robben, who was easily one of the Dutch’s most dynamic players with Wesley Sneijder, sent Navas the wrong way to put Netherlands into the lead.
Sneijder, Christian Bolanos, and Dirk Kuyt all converted their respective penalties with calm, power and finesse to bring the score to 4-3.
Michael Umana, who needed to score to keep his team alive and pile on pressure for the Dutch, stepped up and sent his effort to his right. Krul dived well and clawed the relatively weak effort away to safety. Game over!
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