I have heard the arguments about which teams will finish first and last, learned from some of the points made and been irritated by others. At the end of the day, we each have picks as to which sides are likely to advance and which sides don't have much of a chance. For me, after considering all the evidence and arguments presented, the 16 that seem most likely to advance form their respective groups are as follows (giving an alterantive choice for the 2nd team in Group F because I can't be objective about Iran). 1A: Brazil 2A: Mexico 1B: Spain 2B: Chile 1C: Japan 2C: Colombia 1D: Italy 2D: Uruguay 1E: France 2E: Switzerland 1F: Argentina 2F: Iran/Nigeria 1G: Germany 2G: Portugal 1H: Belgium 2H: Russia This means the Round of 16, and beyond the Round of 16 to the final, will look something like the following: Round of 16 Match 49: 1A v 2B (Brazil v Chile) winner: Brazil Match 50: 1C v 2D (Japan v Uruguay) winner: Japan Match 51: 1B v 2A (Spain v Mexico) winner: Spain Match 52: 1D v 2C (Italy v Colombia) winner: Colombia Match 53: 1E v 2F (France v Iran/Nigeria) winner: France Match 54: 1G v 2H (Germany v Russia) winner: Germany Match 55: 1F v 2E (Argentina v Switzerland) winner: Argentina Match 56: 1H v 2G (Belgium v Portugal) winner: Portugal Quarterfinals Winner of Match 49 v Winner of Match 50: Brazil v Japan: winner Brazil Winner of Match 51 v Winner of Match 52: Spain v Colombia: winner Spain Winner of Match 53 v Winner of Match 54: France v Germany: winnner Germany Winner of Match 55 v Winner of Match 56: Argentina v Portugal: winner Argentina Semifinals Winner of Match 49/50 v Winner of 53/54 (Brazil v Germany): Brazil Winner of Match 51/52 v Winner of 55/56 (Spain v Argentina): Argentina Final Brazil v Argentina: winner Argentina
Mine (with some hope and bias): A- Brazil, Mexico B- Netherlands, Spain C- Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire D- Italy, Uruguay E- France, Switzerland F- Argentina, Iran G- Germany, Portugal H- Russia, Belgium Round of 16 Brazil - Spain -> Brazil Colombia - Uruguay -> Uruguay Netherlands - Mexico -> Netherlands Italy - Côte d'Ivoire -> Italy France - Iran -> France Germany - Belgium -> Germany Argentina - Switzerland -> Argentina Russia - Portugal -> Portugal Quarter Finals Brazil - Uruguay -> Brazil France - Germany -> Germany Netherlands - Italy -> Italy Argentina - Portugal -> Portugal Semi Finals Brazil - Germany -> Brazil Italy - Portugal -> Portugal Final Brazil - Portugal -> Brazil
I would be quite happy if Bengochea's picks turn out correct, in no small measure because he has Iran in the R16 . But leaving Iran aside, I think my predictions are a bit more likely. While I give the Ivory Coast a good chance in their group, I still think Japan have a better chance and, with Falcoa's injury, Colombia might find it hard to finish better than runner up in that group. And while ordinarily picking Spain and Holland to advance from a World Cup group would be a no-brainer, I like Chile and feel they will advance even if they will nonetheless get booted soon thereafter by Brazil. As for Portugal, while they can beat Argentina and it would be interesting to see Messi and Ronaldo go against one another outside La Liga, I give Argentina the edge if they meet as can be expected at the quarterfinal stage.
Hi mate, I pick Iran to qualify because of one thing that Queiroz can really do in their squads, as much as I don't like this style at all, is to create fantastic defensive line-ups. Portugal in 2010 suffered only one goal in the entire World Cup. This will be crucial in a group that Argentina might get as amount goals as possible, especially with a very talented attacking Bosnia, which lacks defensive consistency and a Nigerian team who is still too young, besides all the amount of talent. Portugal beating Argentina is very tough, but its like more a hope from myself than the possible outcome.Who knows if Moutinho-Ronaldo can emulate Burruchaga-Maradona or Bebeto-Romário. Everything is possible. =]
Ok, I'll play in this game (with lots of bias, though) : 1A: Brazil 2A: Mexico 1B: Netherlands 2B: Chile (on GD, both draw between them and both defeat Spain and Australia) 1C: Japan 2C: Colombia 1D: Uruguay 2D: Italy 1E: France 2E: Ecuador 1F: Argentina 2F: Nigeria 1G: Germany 2G: Portugal 1H: Belgium 2H: Argelia Round of 16 Match 49: 1A v 2B (Brazil v Chile) winner: Chile (payback for 1962, and our last 2 WC) Match 50: 1C v 2D (Japan v Italy) winner: Italy Match 51: 1B v 2A (Netherlands v Mexico) winner: Netherlands Match 52: 1D v 2C (Uruguay v Colombia) winner: Colombia Match 53: 1E v 2F (France v Nigeria) winner: Nigeria Match 54: 1G v 2H (Germany v Argelia) winner: Germany Match 55: 1F v 2E (Argentina v Ecuador) winner: Argentina Match 56: 1H v 2G (Belgium v Portugal) winner: Belgium Quarterfinals Winner of Match 49 v Winner of Match 50: Chile v Italy : winner Chile Winner of Match 51 v Winner of Match 52: Netherlands v Colombia: winner Colombia Winner of Match 53 v Winner of Match 54: Nigeria v Germany: winnner Germany Winner of Match 55 v Winner of Match 56: Argentina v Belgium: winner Argentina Semifinals Winner of Match 49/50 v Winner of 53/54 (Chile v Germany): Chile Winner of Match 51/52 v Winner of 55/56 (Colombia v Argentina): Argentina 3rd place Germany v Colombia: winner Colombia Final Chile v Argentina: winner Chile ( pk definition, where Messi is the only player who fails his pk, ) Not bad. Defeating 5 former WC champions in the same WC campaign. . . (....., end of "wet dream" here)
1A: Brazil 2A: Mexico 1B: Spain 2B: Chile 1C: Colombia 2B: Japan 1D: Uruguay 2D: Italy 1E: France 2E: Ecuador 1F; Argentina 2F: Bosnia 1G: Germany 2G: Portugal 1H: Russia 2H: Belgium Round of 16: Match 49: 1A v 2B (Brazil v Chile) winner: Brazil Match 50: 1C v 2D (Colombia v Italy) winner: Italy Match 51: 1B v 2A (Spain v Mexico) winner: Spain Match 52: 1D v 2C (Uruguay v Japan) winner: Uruguay Match 53: 1E v 2F (France v Bosnia) winner: France Match 54: 1G v 2H (Germany v Belgium) winner: Germany Match 55: 1F v 2E (Argentina v Ecuador) winner: Argentina Match 56: 1H v 2G (Belgium v Portugal) winner: Portugal Quarter Finals: Winner of Match 49 v Winner of Match 50: Brazil v Italy : winner Brazil Winner of Match 51 v Winner of Match 52: Spain v Uruguay: winner Uruguay Winner of Match 53 v Winner of Match 54: France v Germany: winnner Germany Winner of Match 55 v Winner of Match 56: Argentina v Portugal: winner Argentina Semi Finals: Winner of Match 49/50 v Winner of 53/54 (Brazil v Germany): Brazil Winner of Match 51/52 v Winner of 55/56 (Uruguay v Argentina): Argentina 3rd Place: Uruguay vs Germany: winner Germany Final: Brazil vs Argentina winner: Brazil
I LOVE your prediction! it would be a dream come true if it happens. A Brazil vs Argentina final will be glorious! (and Argentina winning would be even better! )
1A: Brazil 2A: Croatia 1B: Chile 2B: Spain 1C: Japan 2C: Ivory Coast 1D: Uruguay 2D: Italy 1E: Switzerland 2E: Ecuador 1F: Argentina 2F: Nigeria 1G: Germany 2G: Portugal 1H: Belgium 2H: Russia Round of 16 Match 49: 1A v 2B (Brazil v Spain) winner: Brazil Match 50: 1C v 2D (Japan v Italy) winner: Italy Match 51: 1B v 2A (Chile v Croatia) winner: Chile Match 52: 1D v 2C (Uruguay v Ivory Coast) winner: Uruguay Match 53: 1E v 2F (Switzerland v Nigeria) winner: Nigeria Match 54: 1G v 2H (Germany v Russia) winner: Germany Match 55: 1F v 2E (Argentina v Ecuador) winner: Argentina Match 56: 1H v 2G (Belgium v Portugal) winner: Belgium Quarterfinals Winner of Match 49 v Winner of Match 50: Brazil v Italy : winner Brazil Winner of Match 51 v Winner of Match 52: Chile v Uruguay: winner Chile Winner of Match 53 v Winner of Match 54: Nigeria v Germany: winnner Germany Winner of Match 55 v Winner of Match 56: Argentina v Belgium: winner Argentina Semifinals Winner of Match 49/50 v Winner of 53/54 (Brazil v Germany): Germany Winner of Match 51/52 v Winner of 55/56 (Chile v Argentina): Argentina 3rd place Brazil v Chile: winner Brazil Final Germany v Argentina: winner Germany
The one prediction I have made that I like to change is Colombia beating Italy in the Round of 16. With Falcoa's injury in particular, Italy will win actually but then lose to Spain in the quarterfinal. Thus, the 4 favorites (Brazil, Spain, Germany and Argentina) would still each make the semifinals in my prediction, which itself would be unusual. And, yes, I kind of see an All-South American final between Brazil and Argentina. Argentina winning.
1A: Brazil 2A: Cameroon 1B: Chile 2B: Holland 1C: Ivory Coast 2C: Japan 1D: Italy 2D: England 1E: France 2E: Ecuador 1F: Nigeria 2F: Iran 1G: Germany 2G: Ghana 1H: South Korea 2H: Russia Round of 16 Match 49: 1A v 2B (Brazil v Holland) winner: Brazil Match 50: 1C v 2D (Ivory Coast v England) winner: Ivory Coast Match 51: 1B v 2A (Chile v Cameroon) winner: Cameroon Match 52: 1D v 2C (Italy v Japan) winner: Italy Match 53: 1E v 2F (France v Iran) winner: France Match 54: 1G v 2H (Germany v Russia) winner: Germany Match 55: 1F v 2E (Nigeria v Ecuador) winner: Nigeria Match 56: 1H v 2G (South Korea v Ghana) winner: Ghana Quarterfinals Winner of Match 49 v Winner of Match 50: Brazil v Ivory Coast : winner Brazil Winner of Match 51 v Winner of Match 52: Cameroon v Italy: winner Cameroon Winner of Match 53 v Winner of Match 54: France v Germany: winnner Germany Winner of Match 55 v Winner of Match 56: Nigeria v Ghana: winner Ghana Semifinals Winner of Match 49/50 v Winner of 53/54 (Brazil v Cameroon): Brazil Winner of Match 51/52 v Winner of 55/56 (Germany v Ghana): Ghana 3rd place Cameroon v Germany: winner Germany Final Brazil v Ghana: winner Ghana EOS!
1A: Brazil 2A: Mexico 1B: Spain 2B: Holland 1C: Colombia 2C: Japan 1D: Italy 2D: Uruguay 1E: France 2E: Ecuador 1F: Argentina 2F: Nigeria 1G: Germany 2G: Ghana 1H: Belgium 2H: Russia 2ND ROUND Brazil 3 v Holland 2 Spain 2 v Mexico 0 Colombia 2 v Uruguay 1 AET Italy 3 v Japan 2 Nigeria 3 v France 2 Argentina 3 v Ecuador 1 Germany 2 v Russia 0 Ghana 3 v Belgium 2 AET QUARTER FINALS Brazil 3 v Colombia 1 Spain 2 v Italy 1 Germany 3 v Nigeria 2 AET Argentina 4 v Ghana 2 SEMI FINALS Brazil 2 v Spain 2 (Brazil on penalties) Argentina 3 v Germany 2 FINAL Brazil 4 v Argentina 3
I'm heartbroken over the Falcao injury, so bummed. I've been watching Colombia's qualification campaigns since '04, just kicking myself over how close they were in finishing just shy in '02 and '06, that I figured '10 was a lock (they missed out on '02 by a goal (tied on points, lost on +1 of GD to Uruguay for the playoff slot, and in '06 Uruguay trumped them by 1 point)), only to see them fail by 1 point yet again (and GD, which would have given the slot to Ecuador instead of Colombia if Uruguay had faltered). Now they finally make it back and with room to spare after a long sixteen years away from the worlds greatest sporting tournament, and they end up losing their star players and one of the best four or five attacking players in the world, to a moronic, inexplicable tackle (that somehow wasn't a foul or a card?!?!?!) by a lunging hack from some 4th division park league squad. I was just so pissed when I saw that news. I watch the world cup to see the US succeed, and to see great soccer and to see underdogs make enjoyable runs deep into the cup. In one fell swoop, a horrible mistake from a coach (why start him against hacks in a game of little consequence?), and a horrendous challenge from a hack has possibly sunk Colombia's 16 year journey back to the Cup, a cup being held in their own backyard for the first time in 36 years. That has thrown group C up for grabs in my opinion. There is simply too much depth in that group for me to believe that Colombia is a lock now, when there best player, one of the very best players in the world is either out, or will be totally out of form when the cup runs around (there are some rumors that he's not been entirely ruled out. Well, after watching RG3 struggle this past year in the NFL, I tend to imagine he won't be anywhere near ready, he only has 4 months to rehab before he'd have to start working at getting into soccer shape on the field itself), so at this point, there's a real chance, in my view, that Ivory Coast and Japan knock Colombia out entirely. It's extremely difficult for me to project what I think is going to happen because it's so bloody difficult to suss out the deep groups, but here goes: A: Brazil, Mexico-pretty straight forward group to me, if Mexico is right, they will take runner up no problem. B: Spain, Chile-expect a surprise in this group, I've just had a hugely difficult time figuring out which team will crash C: Japan, Ivory Coast: If Falcao was healthy, I'd have Colombia first. Since he isn't, I have them crashing out. D: Italy, Uruguay: Simple enough, I am not impressed at all with England. E: France, Switzerland: Weakest group around, I think every side in this group would have been knocked out if moved into B or D or G. F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzogovina: I think Nigeria is a real contender here as well, but I think people are really underselling how well Bosnia and Herzogovina have played over the past three qualification campaigns. G: Germany, Ghana: I go back and forth with this group, I've had all three different teams winning runner up, but for now, I'm giving Ghana runner up status because of the three challengers for runner up, while the US has the best path, I think Ghana is the best built to steal points or a win off of both Germany and Portugal. I think the US could beat Ghana or Portugal, but barring Germany resting guys, I see nothing there, while Portugal I just plain expect to lose to Germany. What's fascinating to me, is that I imagine the round robin could end up being, USA beats Ghana, Portugal beats USA, Ghana earns point(s) off Germany, Ghana beats Portugal, USA draws or loses to a resting Germany, at the end of the day I think every single one of the non-German sides can actually beat one of their two other opponents in the group and probably will. Should be a thrilling group till the end. H: Belgium, S. Korea: I'm picking S. Korea because Russia hasn't played well in a World Cup in 28 years, and has consistently underperformed in every tourney they've played in other than Euro '08, while S. Korea has actually consistently played quite well in tourney after tourney, of their 13 world cup games since 2002 (vs Poland, USA, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Germany, Togo, France, Switzerland, Greece, Argentina, Nigeria, Uruguay), they've only really crapped the bed in two games, a brutal 0-2 loss against the Swiss in a win and you advance to the round of 16 group finale, and against Argentina when they got rolled at the last cup 4-1. Their record at 7-3-3 across the 3 cups with 15 goals for and against, suggests S. Korea simply handles the pressure of cups well. Russia? Not so much, they haven't qualified for either of the past two cups, and completely <censored> the bed when they seemingly had a first class ticket to the quarterfinals of Euro '12 booked after crushing the Czech's 4-1, and leading Poland 1-0 with a half our left in matchday 2. Then they proceeded to give up the equalizer, and lose to Greece in the group finale. That doesn't strike me as the sort of team that will be able to handle a powerhouse squad like Belgium, a consistent squad like S. Korea, and a squad like Algeria, that's actually been able to play some nice shut down defense with remarkable consistency. Round of 16 Match:49: 1A v 2B (Brazil v Chile) winner: Brazil 2-1 Match 50: 1C v 2D (Japan v Uruguay) winner: Uruguay 2-1 Match 51: 1B v 2A (Spain vs Mexico) winner: Spain 2-0 Match 52: 1D v 2C (Italy v Ivory Coast) winner: Italy 3-1 Match 53: 1E v 2F (France v Bosnia and Herzogovina) winner: Bosnia and Herzogovina 2-1 Match 54: 1G v 2H (Germany v S. Korea) winner: Germany 3-1 Match 55: 1F v 2E (Argentina v Switzerland) winner: Argentina 3-0 Match 56: 1H v 2G (Belgium v Ghana) winner: Belgium 4-2 Quarterfinals Winner of Match 49 v Winner of Match 50: Brazil v Uruguay : Brazil 3-2 Winner of Match 51 v Winner of Match 52: Spain v Italy: Italy 2-1 Winner of Match 53 v Winner of Match 54: Bosnia and Herzogovina v Germany: Germany 3-1 Winner of Match 55 v Winner of Match 56: Argentina v Belgium: Argentina 3-2 Semifinals Winner of Match 49/50 v Winner of 53/54 (Brazil v Italy): Brazil 2-1 Winner of Match 51/52 v Winner of 55/56 (Argentina v Germany): Argentina 4-3 Final Brazil v Argentina Winner: Argentina 3-2 Some of the weirder results I'm not at all convinced of, but have taking place here: I have no idea what is going to happen in B between Spain, Netherlands and Chile, I believe any of the 3 could win the group, and any of the 3 could be runner up or in 3rd. I already thought any team in the group could take runner up in C, and now I believe any team in the group could take any slot, with Falcao out. I'm pretty confident in D, I would be stunned if Italy and Uruguay fail to advance. I'm also pretty confident in E, the worst group by a country mile with perennial under achiever France, the worst seed I've ever seen that wasn't a host in the Swiss, a Honduras side that's solid enough, but still not a top 40 side in the world, and an Ecuador side that basically sucks when it has to travel. I've basically changed predictions with Nigeria and Bosnia everytime I've done a ranking, now I pick Bosnia. I am absolutely not nailed to that pick and may change it again, Iran is not a consideration. G is fascinating, the more I look at it, the more convinced I become that basically, there will be a cluster of a 1-1-1, records from 2nd to cellar at the end of group play or something of that order. The difference may come down to GD or TG. H: I think Russia should finish ahead of S. Korea but I think Russia, will.
You making it look as if Falcao is all of what Colombia is worth, with your post. Falcao is a great player, no doubt about it, and undoubtly as well, will be missed in his team, but Colombia is not a one man team, as they have a very good bench and besides they are full of excellent players, who shine with their own stars in the worlds actual football elite. In Colombia's quallifying campaign, Falcao missed only 3 games, where Colombia still managed to win once (vs. Paraguay as visitors), draw once (vs.Venezuela at home) and lost by only one goal to Argentina, as visitors, in the third of them. With Falcao, they lost 3 other games and had 2 other draws. Colombia did not end second in Conmebol qualifiers due to playing Falcao in their team. They ended second because they were a formidable team at all parts of the pitch, specially at their back, where they were the least beaten team of the whole Conmebol campaign (even better than Argentina). Without Falcao (if he doesn't recover in time, as it is likely that he will not), Colombia still has it quite easy against the opponents they have, at least at group phase. At next phase, it might be a diferent story, where with or without Falcao, they have it very difficult on themselves, but still can win in any of their remaining games. In any case, you are free to have your opinion on the issue.
No doubt, I happen to believe that this Colombian generation is a good one, and a side that was headed to the quarterfinals, but I don't think there should be any underselling of Falcao. I wouldn't argue this was a situation like Sweden losing Ibra, because it isn't, there's still plenty of talent to utilize for Colombia that could help them escape their group, and it isn't as if they're sitting in a group with Netherlands and Chile, or Portugal, Ghana and the US, but Japan, and Ivory Coast are flagship sides in their region and monstrously difficult outs. Japan beat Cameroon and Denmark, and were unlucky not to tie the Dutch, before falling on PK's in the round of 16, and proceeded to win the Asian Cup, and dominate Italy for much of a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat at the Confed Cup last summer. It's a darn good side. Ivory Coast aren't what they once were, but they're still a top 2-4 African side, capable of putting to the sword plenty of defenses. And Greece, which looked like the same old Greece for the bulk of their qualification campaign, suddenly may have found themselves a forward, if they have, and if they can deliver competent service, their lock down defense could make them a threat as well. It's a deceptively tough group, none of the teams suck, all of the teams have strengths that are difficult to handle, and all are capable, on their day, of beating anyone in their group. With that knowledge in tow, losing one of the best players in the world is a potentially crippling problem. You have to honor the threat of a player like Falcao, and because of that other players get opportunities and space. I think that was an invaluable asset that won't be there in June, and in a group with such a fine, edge like C. losing an asset like that could be the difference. If nothing else, for me, the latest develop basically puts Colombia right in tow with Japan, Ivory Coast and Greece and the chances of advancement have declined sharply, at least in my view.
In the past I considered that a possibility, but Mexico was so ghastly in qualifying that I think they simply lack the mojo necessary to be able to handle what Brazil will bring to bear. If Chile wants to avoid a repeat of 2010, they will have to find a way to take the group, and if they do, my god, they will have basically done the equivalent of winning a semi-final and final of the previous world cup. They definitely have their work cut out for them.
Well, not undermining Falcao, Pekerman has lots of problems to chose whom will replace him in his team. His problem is that he has too many players over which to chose from. Here is just part of the "small" list, some very known , some who have played in Colombia's NT before and others whom are still waiting for the call (might get it now). There are lots of others, btw, as Colombia's main problems (if there are any), are more at the back of their team, where they don`t have as many players where to chose from, as at front: - Jackson Martinez - Teofilo Gutierrez - Carlos Bacca - Adrián Ramos - Carlos D. Quintero - Freddy Montero - Giovanni Moreno - Luis Muriel - Dorlan Pavon - John Cordoba - Victor Ibarbo - Dayro Moreno
The loss of Falcoa will hurt Colombia in more ways than one, even if Colombia have adequate replacements. Names matter in football more than just what they bring to the pitch. They affect the confidence of the players on the two sides and the attitude they will exhibit and their respective expectations. Simply put, a say Japan that is perhaps level with Colombia with Falcoa might be much more content with that score than if it is facing a Colombia without Falcoa. And even with Falcoa, Japan and Ivory Coast would be strong enough to upset Colombia and I wouldn't totally write off Greece either. This group is one of the most balanced in the World Cup across the board, with very little separating any of its 4 teams. In Group G, if Ghana are anything like they showed in 2010, I like them. I certainly rooted for Ghana in 2010 against Uruguay and the US as well. Even then, though, this time around they have ended up in the wrong group. Portugal with a recently crowned Ronaldo aren't going to flop. And flopping is not in any German text book either. That leaves Ghana and the US fighting for last place. In Group E, it will be between France, Switzerland and Ecuador. Honduras have a very easy group, but still no chance in my book. I see France advancing but am not sure between Ecuador and the Swiss even if I picked the Swiss. I am very confident that one of Spain or Holland will not advance, which means I am quite confident Chile will advance. Too bad for Chile, they meet the team that usually beat them, namely Brazil, in the R16 and will get eliminated even though they have a good team that probably deserves better. Group H is hard to pick because none of the teams are stellar or even that good. Iran has beat both Russia and South Korea. Belgium has been beat at home by Japan. I don't think South Korea will advance from this group but that is mostly because I see them losing to Russia, whom they lost to at home recently. I think South Korea will actually get a result against Belgium but merely draw Algeria as well. 2 points for the Koreans will not be enough. I Group F, it will be either Nigeria or Iran that will advance alongside Argentina. I am pretty confident that no 2nd/3rd tier UEFA side is better than either Iran or Nigeria. Especially not a debutant that Iran has beat 4 straight times and scored 14 goals against. I like Bosnia but lets not get carried away: anyone who gives them better odds than Iran hasn't got a clue!
In that case, I give you a better shot against Russia. Losing at home would not augur well for your chances meeting them in Brazil, but in neutral venue in a match that I heard could have gone either way, is a new game altogether.
Group A: 1. Brazil 7 2. Croatia 5 3. Mexico 2 4. Cameroon 1 Group B: 1. Spain 9 2. Netherlands 6 3. Chile 3 4. Australia 0 Group C: 1. Japan 7 2. Columbia 4 3. Ivory Coast 4 4. Greece 1 Group D: 1. Uruguay 5 2. Italy 5 3. England 3 4. Costa Rica 1 Group E: 1. France 6 2. Switzerland 5 3. Ecuador 4 4. Honduras 1 Group F: 1. Argentina 9 2. Nigeria 4 3. Bosnia 2 4. Iran 1 Group G: 1. Germany 9 2. USA 4 3. Portugal 3 4. Ghana 1 Group H: 1. Russia 9 2. South Korea 6 3. Belgium 3 4. Algeria 0 Round of 16 Match 49: Brazil 4-2 Netherlands Match 50: Japan 0-1 Italy Match 51: Spain 4-1 Croatia Match 52: Uruguay 2-2(pen 4-3) Columbia Match 53: France 1-2(aet) Nigeria Match 54: Germany 4-0 South Korea Match 55: Argentina 1-1(pen 3-1) Switzerland Match 56: Russia 2-0(aet) USA Quarterfinals Match 57: Brazil 2-0 Italy Match 58: Spain 3-1 Uruguay Match 59: Nigeria 0-3 Germany Match 60: Argentina 2-1 Russia Semifinals Match 61: Brazil 3-2(aet) Germany Match 62: Spain 5-0 Argentina 3rd place Match 63: Germany 3-0 Argentina Final Match 64: Brazil 0-4 Spain Winner: Spain Runner-up: Brazil Third-place: Germany Fourth-place: Argentina Top Scorer: Diego Costa(Spain) 8 Best Player: Xavi Hernandez(Spain) Best Young Player: Thiago Alcantara(Spain) Best Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas(Spain)
Uruguay beats Costa Rica England ties Italy Uruguay ties England Italy beats Costa Rica Uruguay ties Italy England ties Costa Rica Uruguay 1W 2D = 5 points Italy 1W 2D = 5 points England 3D = 3 points Costa Rica 1D 2L = 1 point