NEWS

07/07/2014

Brazil is getting hotter and hotter every day, and it's not just because winter is warming up or because of the movement of thousands of hips with the beat of Brazilian music and samba and tropical styles. The reason is that the World Cup is getting more and more exciting with the final stage and the qualifying teams.

Latin American teams have become the most thrilling and beloved by millions of football fans all around the world. Latin America placed 6 countries in the final stage, 4 of which reached the quarterfinals, and 2 of them, Brazil and Argentina, the favourite ones, will play both semi-finals.

Even the individual awards are being granted to Latin players, Colombian striker James Rodríguez was awarded as the best player in the first stage of the World Cup, and Brazilian defender David Luiz is the top-rated player so far on this competition.

Brazil beat Colombia in an exciting match who finish 2-1 for the “canarinha” in two dead-ball situations, whereas Argentina won his quarterfinal against Belgium just 1-0, scoring Higuaín the goal to classify Argentina for a semi-final after 24 years.

But if one team has been the revelation in this World Cup, that is Costa Rica. The “Ticos” arrived to Brazil as another unknown team, but they were there en the quarterfinal due to its own merits. Keylor Navas, probably the best goalkeeper of the World Cup, led the Central American team with unbelievable savings. Unfortunately, all that savings weren't enough to beat the Netherlands at the most important match of the national team in his history.

After 120 minutes with 0-0 on the scoreboard, was the time of the penalty kicks. Louis Van Gaal changed the goalkeeper just one minute before the end of the extra time, in a surprising decision.

And there, Keylor came down to earth and couldn't be the saviour again for Costa Rica. 5-3 in the penalty kicks and the end of the dream.

Brazil awaits Germany; Argentina defies the Netherlands. The tale to be continued...

By Santiago Ivar