France

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.

Historical Rivalry

France-Germany: A Grand Classic in the Church of Football

By Bagassi Koura   |

German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher, left, and defender Hans-Peter Briegel, right, stop France's William Ayache during the World Cup semifinal in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 25, 1986.

Harald Schumacher, the German goalkeeper, and defender Hans-Peter Briegel (right) stop William Ayache of France in the semifinals of the 1986 World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico. (AP)

As luck would have it, Rio’s Estadio Maracana, considered a “temple” of world football, will host this classic dream match between two giants of world football: France and Germany. The neighbors will meet Friday for the fourth time in World Cup history. Their two previous meetings in 1982 and 1986, won by West Germany, were memorable.

France - Allemagne.

Manfred Kaltz of West Germany (left) hits the ball beyond Gérard Janvion of France, in the semifinals of between West Germany and France, in Seville, Spain, on July 8, 1982. (AP)

July 8, 1982. semifinals. Seville, Spain. 

An unforgettable match in the warm night of Seville. The two teams are tied at one apiece at halftime, but then the game switches into madness. France quickly takes the lead, sending Tresor and Giresse into ecstatic joy. But the Germans then equalized and snapped a shot on goal. Thirty-two years later, the night in Seville is legend.

June 25, 1986. semifinals. Guadalajara, Mexico.

At Jalisco Monumental, Germany beats France 2-0. The “Platini Generation” lets slip a last chance to win the World Cup.

July 4, 2014. quarterfinals. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

France has a better face with a young and dynamic team: watch Benzema, Pogba and Sakho closely.  But the Mannschaft which has not lost its status as favorites.

(Material from AFP was used in this report)

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/)

France vs. Nigeria

Either Way, Africa Wins (UPDATE: France Advances)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Can Nigeria pull off the upset?

UPDATE: The good news for Nigeria is that they were able to score in this match. The bad news is that it was an own goal. Although Nigeria leaves the Cup after a 2-0 loss to France, Africa’s French-heavy team continues on.

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Nigeria hopes to keep Africa’s World Cup dreams alive when they face France today at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC). But even if Nigeria loses, Africa still wins – more than three-quarters of France’s teeam come from Africa.

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.