FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP 2018: 2014

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Argentina vs Netherlands - World Cup 2014 Semi Final - Stats and Facts

Argentina have reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, when they went on to finish runners-up to West Germany.
La Albiceleste have progressed from all three of their World Cup semi-finals.
These teams have met four times in the World Cup, with Netherlands winning twice and Argentina once, with one draw.
Argentina’s victory, in the 1978 final, is their only win against Netherlands in eight meetings overall (L4 D3).
Argentina have lost just one of their last 16 World Cup games (W12 D3, not including penalty shoot-outs).
Netherlands have lost two of their 12 World Cup games against South American teams, not including penalty shoot-outs (1978 final v Argentina and 1994 quarter-final v Brazil).
10 of the Netherlands’ 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time.
Netherlands’ last four goals in this tournament have come after the 75th minute.
Netherlands made 692 passes against Costa Rica, the most they’ve recorded in a single World Cup match (1966-2014).
Lionel Messi (29), Arjen Robben and Angel Di María (both 25) are the players with most completed dribbles in this tournament.
Messi has also created the most goalscoring chances in this World Cup: 19.
Against Costa Rica Wesley Sneijder recorded the 10th instance of a player hitting the woodwork twice in a World Cup match (1966 – 2014). He is the first Dutchman to do so.
Against Costa Rica, Netherlands recorded the 11th instance of a team hitting the woodwork three times in a World Cup match (1966 – 2014).
Argentina have won both their knockout stage games in this tournament 1-0; they have twice before won by this scoreline in the knock out stages of the World Cup (1986 and 1990).
Netherlands’ 0-0 draw against Costa Rica was their first goalless draw in World Cup knockout stages. This ended a run of 11 World Cup knockout stage matches for the Dutch without a clean sheet.
This is the first time Argentina have reached a World Cup semi-final in a tournament when great rivals Brazil have also done so.
Argentina are yet to trail for a single minute of the 2014 World Cup.
Argentina have scored with 11% of their shots from outside the box, the best rate at the 2014 World Cup.
Argentina have made 86 unsuccessful crosses, more than any other side.
Netherlands are the only team to concede more than one penalty at the 2014 World Cup.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Brazil vs Germany - World Cup 2014 Semi Final - Stats and Facts

Brazil have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 2002, a year that they went on to lift the trophy.
The Seleção have lost none of their last six semi-final matches, winning five and drawing the other.
As such, Brazil have advanced through to the final in each of their last six appearances in the final four; needing penalties just once (versus Netherlands in 1998).
Germany are the first country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in four consecutive tournaments.
However, they have reached the final just once (2002) in their previous three appearances at this stage.
This will be only the second meeting between these two nations at the World Cup.
The first clash came in the 2002 final when Brazil won 2-0; with Ronaldo scoring both goals.
Since that 2002 final the two teams have met three times in all competitions, including in the 2005 Confederations Cup. They have won one match each with the other ending in a draw.
Their last meeting came in August 2011. Goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze helped Germany to a 3-2 win. Neymar and Robinho netted for Brazil.
Brazil have scored in each of their last 10 clashes with Germany, averaging 2.2 goals per game.
Neymar has scored four goals and assisted another in the 2014 World Cup; but will miss the rest of the tournament through injury.
The Barcelona forward has played a hand in 50% of Brazil’s 10 goals so far in the tournament.
Brazil’s captain Thiago Silva will miss the semi-final through suspension. Brazil have lost none of their last 10 matches that he has featured in (W8 D2).
Silva’s replacement in the Brazil team is likely to be Bayern Munich defender Dante. The defender has played 151 times in the German Bundesliga for FC Bayern and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Dante is one of four players (two of which are goalkeepers) in the Brazil squad yet to play a minute at the 2014 World Cup.
No side have kept more clean sheets in the 2014 World Cup than Germany (3), while Brazil have only kept one in their five matches.
Brazil have won just one of their last four World Cup matches against UEFA opposition. That victory came in the Group Stages of this tournament against Croatia (D1 L2).
Germany’s only defeat in their last nine matches against South American opposition at the World Cup came in the 2002 final versus Brazil. They have won six and drawn two of the other eight.
Germany’s last six goals in the competition have been netted by six different players.
Only Thomas Muller (4) has scored more goals for Germany in this competition than centre-back Mats Hummels (2).
Both teams had to rely on goals from centre-halves to win their quarter-final match (Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Mats Hummels).
Against Colombia, Brazil conceded 31 fouls; more than the Seleção have conceded in any single World Cup game from 1966 onwards.
Miroslav Klose needs one goal to be the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. He is currently joint-top with Ronaldo (15 goals).
The Lazio forward is the only player from either squad that was part of the 2002 final.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Freaking Fans of World Cup 2014

Here are the first week of Freaking Fans of World Cup 2014.

Some of the images are touching and they will stand in our minds forever.

Photos from Huffington Post.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Germany leaps over Argentina, while Spain crashes out

Brazil remains the favorites of Punters even after their surprising draw against Mexico.
But after their impressive display against Ronaldo's Portugal, Germany leaps over Messi inspired Argentina to be the 2nd favorites.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Defending Champions Spain's chances are fading - Latest Odds

After the biggest upset so far in the FIFA World Cup 2014, Defending Champions Spain who were 3rd favorites to win this World Cup at 13/2 behind Hosts Brazil and their South American rivals Argentina, has fallen to fourth. Their odds have reached now 11/1.

Netherlands who surprised everyone by their astonishing goal scoring display yesterday, have risen upand now their odd stands at 12/1 just behind Spain.

The latest odds from leading betting institutions.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Brazil dominating above all others - Soccer Power Index

According to Bleacher Report Brazil has the super power to win the FIFA World Cup for the 6th record time.
Only Argentina, their South American neighbor and Arch rivals has the power to stop their achievement it says.
But Brazil the hosts are way a head of Albiceleste in the Soccer Power Index.

Below is the Soccer Power Index and Odds of all 32 World Cup teams

Hosts Brazil vs Hottest Argentina - Arch Rivals tops Odds

Top Bookies rate Hosts Brazil as the hot favorites to win #WorldCup2014 as the greatest sporting event starts today.
Lionel Messi's Argentina closely follows the Seleção and Defending Champions Spain are third on the list.

Brazil faces Croatia in the first match tonight.