Brazil 1-1 Chile: Brazil progress by the finest of margins
Brazil won on penalties after an incredibly tense and tiring contest. Luiz Felipe Scolari selected Fernandinho following his good impact in the win over Cameroon, with Paulinho on the bench. Jorge...
View ArticleColombia 2-0 Uruguay: James Rodriguez steals the show
Colombia took a while to get going, but never looked in trouble after James Rodriguez’s astonishing strike. Jose Pekerman selected Jackson Martinez, though he played from the left rather than alongside...
View ArticleNetherlands 2-1 Mexico: Mexico dominate the start, but Van Gaal changes help...
The Netherlands produced a dramatic late turnaround, meaning Mexico were eliminated in the second round for the sixth consecutive World Cup. Louis van Gaal welcomed back Robin van Persie after...
View ArticleFrance 2-0 Nigeria: France prosper when returning to a one-striker system
France took a while to show their best football, but dominated the final half hour. Didier Deschamps’ big decision was whether to start striker Olivier Giroud or left-winger Antoine Griezmann, with...
View ArticleBelgium 2-1 USA: Belgium dominate but take ages to make the breakthrough
USA put up a brilliant fight in extra-time, but Belgium had been the superior side for the majority. Marc Wilmots selected Divock Origi upfront, rather than the underwhelming Romelu Lukaku. Jurgen...
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