Germany Shows Its Strength

Germany tore Argentina apart to book their place in the semi-finals and, for now at least, end Diego Maradona's dream of winning the World Cup as coach to go with his victory as captain in 1986.Three-time champions Germany marched into the semifinals of the World Cup after destroying Diego Maradona's highly-rated Argentina side 4-0 on Saturday in a rematch of the 1986 and 1990 title matches.Maradona was celebrated for the freedom he gave his forwards, cheered for the blithe way he let his players do as they wished, but it became clear that he was not prepared for the part of the game that required obstruction and impediment of the creativity that he possessed as a player and valued as a coach.In building an ostentatious attack, Maradona neglected to shore up his defense for a day like Saturday, when the goals stopped coming for Argentina and the threats at the other end had to be countered with something other than indifference, lack of speed and disorganization.Maradona the coach proved far less able than Maradona the player, and Argentina’s last World Cup title, in 1986, receded further into the rearview mirror.Veteran striker Miroslav Klose celebrated his 100th international appearance with two goals in Cape Town, taking him level second in the tournament's all-time scoring list alongside compatriot Gerd Muller on 14.Klose found the net only three times in the Bundesliga all season in a miserable campaign for Bayern Munich but he has now beaten that tally at this tournament, as well as moving to within a goal of Ronaldo, who with 15 goals, is the all-time highest scorer at World Cup finals.Mueller opened the scoring after only three minutes when Schweinsteiger swung in a free-kick from the left and he escaped the Argentina defence to beat Sergio Romero with a downward header that the keeper got a leg to but could not keep out.Klose, who also won his 100th cap for Germany, should have made it 2-0 when Mueller broke into the area down the right and squared for him in front of goal. But he fired wastefully over, not that it appeared to matter much at that point.They did improve as half-time approached and Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain both forced Manuel Neuer into low saves, but Germany continued to threaten on the break.Arne Friedrich did the same in the 74th minute for a 3-0 lead. Finally, Klose delivered a volley in the 89th minute for the final score.

Brazil crash out to Netherlands in World Cup quarterfinals

The Netherlands came from a goal down to beat 10-man Brazil 2-1 in their World Cup quarterfinal clash in Port Elizabeth on Friday.The Netherlands scored twice in the second half to stun the five-time champion Brazil, 2-1, in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, the biggest Dutch win in the tournament since the team’s glory days in the 1970s.An early goal from Robinho had put Brazil in command, but in the second half the Dutch drew level when Wesley Sneijder's cross was deflected into his own net by Felipe Melo.The Netherlands tied the score on another defensive mistake. After Arjen Robben won a free kick near the right sideline, the ball was pushed ahead, and then back to Wesley Sneijder. Sneijder lofted a left-footed cross toward the goal, but Brazil’s goalkeeper, Julio Cesar, failed to catch it and it deflected into the net off the only other player who rose to challenge for it: Felipe Melo.The Dutch took the lead 15 minutes later when Robben drove a corner kick to the near post and Dirk Kuyt flicked it over his head to Sneijder, who was unguarded four yards in front. Sneijder merely redirected the speeding ball into the net. In the 73rd minute,Felipe Melo drew a straight red card and his shorthanded team could muster little more than desperate pleas for fouls and a few missed chances on set plays.The Netherlands advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1998, and it will play the winner of Friday’s second game between Uruguay and Ghana. The result will also raise the criticism of Brazil’s coach, Dunga, to a fever pitch. He has unbashedly remolded his team from its flashy samba-style roots to a more pragmatic defensive juggernaut focused intently on getting victories. Now that the Brazilians are out, he will no doubt shoulder much of the blame.

The Great History of Brazil Versus Holland

Brazil vs holland 1974

With the game taking place in the final round of the second group stage, it was practically a semi-final. Both Holland and Brazil won their first two games versus East Germany and Argentina. The game will be remembered for some dirty fouling, mostly by the Brazilians, with Ze Maria and Marinho Peres stopping the Dutch with tackles more suitable for American football. Brazil might have had to win the game, but Holland were superior throughout. Leao made a great save from Cruijff in the first-half after a dreadful miskick by Ze Maria gifted the ball to the Dutch genius, and the keeper was then called into action again to prevent Wim Suurbier scoring from a brilliant Wim van Hanegem pass. the Dutch took a deserved lead on 50 minutes, with Cruijff setting Johan Neeskens for a beautiful shot over Leao. Just 15 minutes later and it was all over for the defending world champions, with Cruijff making it 2-0 after a great cross by Ruud Krol. With only pride to play for, some rude tackles continued from both sides, and eventually Luis Pereira was sent off for an absolutely shocking foul on Neeskens. With Pele watching from the stands, Brazil surrendered their crown and did little to improve their image.

Holland vs Brazil world cup 1974

Brazil vs holland 1994

First goal made by Romario with a nice pass of Bebeto at 52 minutes. Bebeto also made a goal at 62 minutes.
 The third goal came from Holland. Dennis Bergkamp made a nice shot and Holland got a goal. Another goal came 
from Aron Winter of Holland. And last goal made by Branco in a free kick. Brazil won that match at 3-2.
 

Brazil vs holland 1998.

The third and last time both sides met in a World Cup was 12 years ago. Once again, Brazil triumphed over the Netherlands. A penalty shoot-out had to decide which team would make it to the final. Former Brazilian international Carlos Dunga, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, and Emerson all converted their spot-kicks to help Brazil beat the Dutch 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 drawn game.