Argentina

Want the Winner? Look to Germany

By Andrew Palczewski   |
Will Germany determine the winner?

If you’re looking to pick the winner of this year’s World Cup, look no further than Germany.

Well, don’t look at Germany – look at who they’re playing.

In the past three World Cups, Germany has lost in the knockout round to the eventual winner: in 2002, they were runners-up to Brazil in the final; in 2006, they lost to Italy in the semifinals; and in 2010, they lost to Spain in the semifinals.

Given their track record, a loss by Germany today suggests that Brazil will win the title. Meanwhile, if Germany wins, look to the winner of the Argentina/Netherlands match to win it all.

…unless, of course, Germany can break their losing streak – as we noted yesterday, it’s up to the Soccer Gods.

Football's Final Four

What’s At Stake

By Andrew Palczewski   |

After nearly a month of non-stop soccer, the 2014 World Cup championships are in sight. Four teams in particular have their eyes on the prize: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and the Netherlands – the last four teams left.

Obviously, all four are playing to win. But what’s their motivation? What are the specific elements that are pushing them towards a win?

Brazil: Win for Their Country

Brazil seeks to win its sixth title on home turf.
Brazil is the most successful country in World Cup history, winning five titles since 1958. But perhaps the most memorable Cup for Brazilians is one they didn’t win – in 1950, when Brazil last hosted the World Cup, the home team lost to rival (and neighbor) Uruguay by 2-1. Over 60 years later, the Cup is back on Brazilian soil – and Brazil is hoping it can win the title on home turf.

Germany: Close it Out

Germany: always the World Cup bridesmaid.
The last three World Cups have not been kind to Germany. In 2002, they were the runner-up to Brazil. In 2006 and 2010, they came in third place, losing to eventual champions Italy and Spain (respectively) in the semi-finals. This year, Germany is hoping to break that streak, and break the conception that they’re always a World Cup bridesmaid, never a World Cup bride.

Argentina: Do It for Messi

Messi hopes to win his first World Cup.
Lionel Messi is arguably the most popular and successful soccer player in the world today. But with all of the titles, the awards, the praise, there’s one prize that’s alluded him: a World Cup title. A contender for the Golden Boot award, given to the player who scores the most goals, Messi’s surely hoping to score not only the award, but a title for Argentina.

Netherlands: Avenge their Loss

Netherlands hopes to avenge their 2010 loss against Spain.
The Dutch came within one match of winning the 2010 World Cup, falling to Spain in the final 1-0. But with the defending champions knocked out in the group stage of this year’s Cup, the Dutch are hoping that they can avenge their loss and finish the job they couldn’t four years ago.

Argentina (1-0) Belgium

Belgium’s Game Plan: Stop Messi (UPDATE: Messi & Argentina Win)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Lionel Messi: the key to Agentina's success.

UPDATE: The good news for the Belgians is that they kept Argentina’s Lionel Messi from scoring. The bad news is that they didn’t stop Gonzalo Higuain, whose goal just eight minutes into the match was enough for Argentina to win 1-0, and head to the semifinals to play the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Previous post:

The quarterfinal match between Argentina and Belgium (12 PM ET/4 PM UTC) boils down to one word: Messi.

Belgium’s coach Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said that his team are not favorites against Argentina, but that “there is a lack of balance in their team,” referring to their reliance on Messi. Argentina admits that they perhaps lean on the star player a bit too much, but also acknowledge that he’s a huge asset, and a major part of their success so far. If Belgium can stop Messi, they’re through to the semifinals; if not, they’re on a flight home.

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.

Argentina (1-0) Switzerland

Messi vs. Alpine Messi (UPDATE: The Real Messi Wins)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

The Alpine Messi.

UPDATE: The Alpine Messi kept even with his namesake and his team for most of their match, but a late goal – scored just a few minutes before the end of extra time – gave Argentina (and the real Messi) the edge, 1-0. Argentina will face the winner of the USA/Belgium match in the quarterfinals.

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There’s no doubt that the marquee player in today’s Argentina/Switzerland matchup is Lionel Messi – not only is he one of the most well-known players in the game, he’s arguably one of all-time best. But Messi and Argentina will have some strong competition today…from Alpine Messi.

He may not be as well known, but Xherdan Shaqiri has earned his nickname with strong play, and the same stature (at 5′ 7″) as Messi. Can he help his team advance when they face off at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC)? Or will his namesake get the best of him?

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.

Argentina (3-2) Nigeria

Who’s The Top Dog in Group E? (UPDATE: It’s Argentina)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Will Messi lead his team to the top?

UPDATE: A pair of goals each from Lionel Messi and Ahmed Mura – at the start and end of the first half – kept Argentina and Nigeria even. But it was a goal by Argentina’s Marcos Rojo in the 50th minute of the match that gave Argentina the 3-2, and the top spot in Group E. Although they lost, Nigeria also advanced to the knockout round.

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There’s no doubt that Argentina will advance to the Round of 16 – with a 2-0-0 record, they’re on top of Group E. And it’s likely Nigeria will advance as well – there’s only one very unlikely scenario where Iran could overtake them. But what’s uncertain is who will emerge as the top team from Group E: if Argentina wins or draws, they’ll claim the group’s top spot. But if Nigeria can beat Argentina, they’d be first, and Argentina would be second (but would still advance). The match starts 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.