Auteur: Andrew Palczewski

Brazil (2-1) Colombia

Colombia Tries to Take Out Hometown Heroes (UPDATE: Colombia (& Neymar) Out)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Colombia hopes to take down Brazil in Fortaleza.

UPDATE: The hometown heroes of Brazil are one step closer to winning the cup on their home turf, after beating Colombia 2-1 and securing a spot in Tuesday’s semifinal against Germany. But the big news for Brazil is two absences from their next match. After his second yellow card in as many matches, Brazil’s captain Thiago Silva is out of the semis. And Brazilian star Neymar is out for the rest of the World Cup after fracturing a vertebra in his back. We’ll find out Tuesday if these key absences will hurt Brazil’s game, but regardless, the Brazil/Germany match is sure to be an exciting one.

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Just like the first match between France and Germany, this Brazil/Colombia match (4 PM ET/8 PM UTC) is also a battle of neighboring nations. Brazil is hoping that playing on its home turf will keep visiting Colombia fans quiet. Colombia, meanwhile, hopes to finish the job Chile came so close to completing: knocking out the hometown favorites.

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Germany (1-0) France

Battle of the Neighbors, Part 2 (UPDATE: France Falls)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Next neighbor up for France: Germany.

UPDATE: France may have beaten their other neighbor Switzerland 5-2, but the same magic wasn’t happening in their match against Germany, which they lost 1-0. Germany moves on to the semifinals, and has a chance to knock out the home team, Brazil.

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France already faced one of their neighbors earlier in the tournament, when they blew out Belgium 5-2 in the group stage. In the quarterfinal, France faces yet another neighbor as they take on Germany. Will France best yet another one of their neighbors, or will Germany have the upper hand? Find out at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

How Did Your Team Do?

Africa By the Numbers

By Andrew Palczewski   |

Now that all five of the African teams in the 2014 World Cup are out, VOA Football looks back at the numbers. From shots on goal to goals scored, and from time of possession to number of yellow cards, see how your favorite team performed:

Algeria

Algeria.

Cameroon

Cameroon.

Ghana

Ghana.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast.

Nigeria

Nigeria.

Photo of the Day

World Cup: July 3, 2014

By Andrew Palczewski   |
France practices.

France’s national soccer squad sprint during a training session at the Santa Cruz stadium, in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, Wednesday, July 2, 2014. France will face Germany in their World Cup quarterfinal, Friday. (AP)

Your Team Is Out? No Worries!

The Final Eight: Who to Root For

By Andrew Palczewski   |

We’re finally down to the last eight at the 2014 World Cup, and there’s a distinctive theme: four teams are from Europe, and four are from South America. But what if you’re from North America, or Asia, or Africa? Who do you root for now. VOA Football tells you who you should root for…

Brazil.

If you want suspense: Support Brazil

Yes, Brazil. Brazil never seems to live up to the public expectations, the Cup is hosted on their home turf, and they were a penalty shot away from elimination in the Round of 16. Add these together, and it’s clear that Brazil is the perfect team for all lovers of the soap opera that is soccer: suspense, surprises, and shock.

Colombia.

If you love “the beautiful game”: Support Colombia

The beauty of soccer – the collaboration between players, the confidence, the technical skill – can all be found in Colombia’s game. Their style of play is far removed from the days when it was called “El Toque,” or “the touch,” a short, utilitarian style of play. Today, a more accurate name might be “El Toque Bonito” – “the beautiful touch” – for the ease with which they seem to play.

France.

If you love Africa: Support France

It may be controversial, but France is the best “African” team still in the competition. Many of the French players are from Africa, including such countries as Senegal, Algeria, Mali, and Congo. Even if some do not want to admit it, this team is not a French team, but a team of immigrants who are representing France.

Netherlands.

If you want to see attractive players: Support the Netherlands

While Neymar of Brazil and James Rodriguez of Colombia are often mentioned among the most attractive players, the Dutch team seems to be especially stacked in the looks department. Just look at the legions of female fans in the stands cheering on the Netherlands.

(This post courtesy VOA’s French language World Cup blog. Check it out at http://football.lavoixdelamerique.com/)