Topic: The Pushsquare FIFA World Cup Thread

Wasn't a pretty win for Argentina but at the end of the day it doesn't matter how you do it. Thing is, I think the USA and Belgium will be rubbing their hands together right now. Either of them could take Argentina if they play well enough.

You guys in USA should be so proud of your team. Incredible spirit and passion. Should have taken it to penalties, really.

Yeah USA were fantastic, you don't see many teams with that much fighting spirit. I think they'll only get better as well - experience is nearly everything.

But damn and blast - they've ruined my perfect run of predicting wins! I've guessed every winner right so far in the last 16, bit of a shame.

If USA had played in the main 90 minutes with the same spirit they showed in the last 15 minutes, they could have won the match. Howard is a great goalkeeper.

Argentina's game was boring, and I wished Switzerland would have lasted until the penalty rounds.

I am always pleased with the USA's performances at the World Cup as you say said they always show alot of spirit and passion even the same can be said about the fans as well.  I never expect them to win the tournament.  Soccer still isn't as popular as it is in countries which is one reason the other teams are just better then us.  Maybe a World Cup win some day will change that.

USA could dominate if their was more interest in "soccer". 500 million people, how hard could of be to find talent?

Well there appears to be genuine interest in it these days - it's growing, that's for sure. Pretty sure I read somewhere that more people tuned into the Germany v USA game than one of Obama's recent public addresses.

WOW, i thougt much more, i dont understand the love for baseball, i do love american football

Predictions time...

France 2 Germany 3
Brazil 2 Colombia 3 - in extra time
Argentina 1 Belgium 0
Netherlands 1 Costa Rica 1 - Netherlands win on penalties

I almost think this France vs. Germany game is too hard to call, but I'll say...

France - 1
Germany - 3

I'm going to throw a curveball and say Germany will keep getting France on the counter, but that France front three is deadly. Should be an amazing game.

Brazil - 2
Colombia - 1
In extra time

I think Brazil are going to win this one by the skin of their teeth. I can just see it. But again, really hard to call - secretly hoping Colombia beat them but I don't think it'll happen.

Can't wait to see how these games unfold!

The early German goal was the best thing that could've happened. Even at that early stage France looked happy to just sit and do 'rien' (nothing) so thank God they didn't take the lead. The French front three look uninterested at times though, which is odd.

I hope Colombia wins. They have had an amazing run and Chile was close to beating Brazil.

I thought France would be more aggressive today, specially after receiving a goal so early.

I honestly can't see Brazil winning. They're a shambles all over the pitch and have one tactic: pass to Neymar and hope he does something. The same reason I can't see Argentina winning the World Cup as you can't just rely on Messi every time, especially when he looks like he doesn't want to be there.

That was a relatively disappointing game. France went out with a whimper rather than a bang - Germany didn't have to do much in the end, although Schurrle should have had not one, but two goals by the end. Awful shots from him, Muller would have scored those all day long.

But Neuer is superb. Pretty sure he's some sort of android, really, because no one can be that confident and keep a goal that well as much as he does. Ridiculous.

I agree, especially about Neuer. He has to be an android in disguise or something...his ability to hold impossible balls and his general presence and insight into the game border on the surreal. I'm not that much of a soccer fan, but watching Neuer play is a pure pleasure.

Really poor game. France had a chance I thought, but it didn't really feel like they were trying. I'm not sure whether that's because the Germans make things look effortless, or because the snail scoffing men didn't turn up.

Watching this game, you can't help but feel that Brazil would give Germany more than a few chances to score - and players like Muller rarely miss.

Absolutely sick of all the fouls, though. Every 20 seconds someone hits the floor and the game stops. Start handing out the yellow cards already!

Agree with you Shogun, the ref needs to grow a pair. Although I can guarantee the one player who will never get booked is Neymar. One more and he misses a game. There's no way any referee would book him as they know they'll never leave that stadium until the police take him in a body bag.

Not connected to the ongoing game, but looks like Suarez is off:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28112887

What a point