World Cup 2014 - Semi-finals and Finals

Germany wins fourth World Cup!July 13, 3 PM EDT - Germany 1 - 0  Argentina (Championship) 
Germany: Goetz 113'

Goetze scored the winner in extra period as Germany defeated Argentina to win their fourth World Cup. Goetze chested a Schuerrle cross before firing a right footed shot passed Romero and into the back of the net. Germany has broken so many records this tournament. Miroslav Klose became the top goal scorer in World Cup history. Germany became the top goal scoring team in World Cup History and became the first European team to win the World Cup on South American soil. And Goetze became the first substitute to score in extra time of a final in World Cup History.

Golden Glove - Manuel Neuer, Germany
Golden Ball - Lionel Messi, Argentina
Golden Boot - James Rodriguez, Colombia

July 12, 4 PM EDT  - Brazil 0 - 3  Netherlands (Third Place)
Netherlands: van Persie 3' (PK), Blind 17', Wijnaldum 90' +1

Netherlands ended a great tournament for the Oranje winning the third place against host Brazil. Brazil ends their tournament being outscored 10-1

The semi-finals matches are set and it will be Europe vs. South America.
Host Brazil will face Germany on Tuesday, July 8. Brazil will be missing the services of the suspended Thiago Silva, their captain and the anchor of their defense. And Neymar who is out of the tournament after suffering a broken vertebra during their quarterfinal match against Colombia. Can Brazil overcome the loss of Neymar or will Germany's height prevail?
The Netherlands needed a penalty shootout to dispose of Costa Rica to booked their semi-final match against Argentina on Wednesday, July 9.  But Argentina was dealt with a big blow, losing Angel Di Maria to a thigh injury. The teams have played eight matches against each other with Netherlands winning four to one. Can the Oranje make it five? Will Louis Van Gaal have something up his sleeve again? Will Messi's brilliance overcome the loss of Di Maria?
Winners will face each other for the 2014 World Cup. Will it be an all European final or will it be a South American final?

July 8, 4 PM EDT - Brazil 1 - 7 Germany
Brazil: Oscar 90'
Germany: Müller 11', Klose 23', Kroos 24' 26', Khedira 29', Schürrle 69' 79'

Brazil cannot overcome the loss of T. Silva and Neymar as Germany demolished the host team 7-1 to reach the finals of the 2014 World Cup. Germany scored 4 goals in 6 minutes to make the game unreachable. Miroslva Klose surpassed Ronaldo to become the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup while Germany became the all-time leading scorer of the the tournament surpassing Brazil. Germany will face the winner of the Netherlands-Argentina match on Sunday, July 13. 

July 9, 4 PM EDT - Netherlands (2) 0 - 0 (4) Argentina
Sergio Romero made two saves during the penalty shootout sending Argentina to the World Cup finals against Germany. Netherlands will face Brazil for third place.

World Cup 2014 - Quarterfinals

The stage is set for the Quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.  The quarter-finals start this Friday, July 4 with France facing Germany.

July 4, 2014
12 pm EDT - France 0 - 1 Germany
Germany: Hummels 13'

Hummels' header hit the crossbar before going in was all Germany needed to punch their ticket to the semi-final round. France's Benzema had a chance to tied the match in the last minute of stoppage time but Neuer was able to get a quick hand on it to block the shot. Germany now waits for the winner of the Brazil - Colombia match.

4 pm EDT - Brazil 2 - 1 Colombia
Brazil: T. Silva 7', David Luiz 69'
Colombia: James 78' (PK)

Silva scored the opener in this fast-pace match before James' penalty shot cancel out an incredible free-kick by David Luiz. Brazil advances to the semi-final match against Germany on Tuesday, July 8.

July 5, 2014
12 pm EDT - Argentina 1-0 Belgium
Argentina: Higuain 8'

4 pm EDT - Netherlands (4) 0-0 (3) Costa Rica

In a very bold move and one that will be talk about for ages, Louis van Gaal change his goalie before the end of extra time and was a brilliant move as Krul stopped two shots to win it for Netherlands.

World Cup 2014 - Round of 16

After two weeks of non-stop action, the World Cup takes a break tomorrow before futbol starts again this Saturday with Round of 16 matchups. Brazil will face Chile while Colombia will go up against Uruguay. Complete schedule is below (Times in EDT). 

June 28, 2014

12:00 pm Brazil (3) 1 - 1 (2) Chile

Brazil: David Luiz 18'

Chile: Alexis 32'

Penalty Shootout	1	2	3	4	5	Total
Brazil	O	X	O	X	O	3	W
Chile	X	X	O	O	X	2

What a way to start the Round of 16 with a penalty shootout between Brazil and Chile. Brazil scored in the 18th minute courtesy of David Luiz but Alexis tied the match at the 32nd minute. Both teams had chances with Hulk's goal being nullified due to handball while a Pinilla's strike hits the crossbar in extra time. Brazil wins 3-2 in penalty shoot-out and eliminates Chile from the tournament.

4:00 pm Colombia 2 - 0 Uruguay

Colombia: J. Rodriguez 28' 50'

James scores a brace to send Colombia to the quarterfinal round of the tournament. Rodriguez scored his fourth goal for Colombia with an amazing volley to give Colombia a 1-0 advantage over Uruguay at halftime. Colombia will face Brazil on July 4. 

June 29, 2014

12:00 pm  Netherlands 2 - 1 Mexico

Netherlands: Sneijder 88', Huntelaar 90' +4 (PK)

Mexico: dos Santos 48'

Mexico took the lead in the 48th minute when Giovanni dos Santos struck in the goal with his right foot. But Netherlands answered back with a super kick from Sneijder in the 88th minutes to send the match in extra time. Klass Jan Huntelaar sealed the match for the Oranje with a penalty kick. Netherlands goes through the final eight and awaits the winner of Costa Rica - Greece matchup. 

4:00 pm Costa Rica (5) 1 - 1 (3) Greece

Costa Rica: Ruiz 52'

Greece: Sokratis 90' +1

Penalty Shootout	1	2	3	4	5	Total
Costa Rica	O	O	O	O	O	5	W
Greece	O	O	O	X	-	3

Bryan Ruiz's left footed shot gave Costa Rica the lead but a second yellow handed to Duarte was costly as Sokratis tied the match in stoppage time to send the match in extra time and eventually a penalty shoot-out, the second time this happen during this stage. Costa Rica won 5-3 with Navas palming away a Gekas' penalty shot. Costa Rica will now face Netherlands in the final eight on July 5.

June 30, 2014
12:00 pm France 2 - 0 Nigeria
France: Pogba 79', Yobo 90' +2 (OG)
Nigeria:

Pogba's header allowed France to advance to the quarterfinals of 2014 World Cup. They will now await the winner of the Germany vs. Algeria match. 

4:00 pm Germany 2 - 1 Algeria
Germany: Schürrle 92', Özil 120'
Algeria: Djabou 120' +1

In a match that features all goals in extra time, Schürrle and Özil scored as Germany advances to the next stage of the tournament. Algeria played well and almost tied the match in the extra time of the extra period after Djabou scored. Germany will face France on July 4. 

July 01, 2014
12:00 pm Argentina 0 - 1 Switzerland
Argentina: Di Maria 118'

Di Maria's strike off a Messi assist was enough to propel Argentina to the quarterfinals. This match was the fourth one to go to extra time. Argentina awaits the winner of the Belgium-USA match.

4:00 pm Belgium 2 - 1 United States
Belgium: De Bruyne 93', Lukaku 105'
United States: Green 107'

Lukaku came in during the extra time and he was the difference assisting in De Bruyne's goal and scoring his own and Belgium defeats United States 2-1. Tim Howard kept USA in the match with great saves en route to a World Cup record 16 saves. Belgium will face Argentina in the quarterfinals on July 5. 

Champions League 2012/13

The 2012/13 UEFA Champions League Group Stage is set after the drawing of the groups yesterday. Defending champion Chelsea(ENG) is set to face Shakhtar Donetsk(UKR), two-time Champions Juventus(ITA) and new-comer Nordsjaelland(DEN) is Group E while runner up Bayern Munich(GER) is in Group F alongside Valencia(ESP), LOSC(FRA) and BATE(BLR). Groupings are listed below:

Group A - Porto(POR), Dynamo Kyiv(UKR), PSG(FRA), Dinamo Zagreb(CRO)
Group B - Arsenal(ENG), Schalke(GER), Olympiacos(GRE), Montpellier(FRA)
Group C - Milan(ITA), Zenit(RUS), Anderlecht(BEL), Málaga(ESP)
Group D - Real Madrid(ESP), Manchester City(ENG), Ajax(NED), Dortmund(GER)
Group E - Chelsea(ENG), Shakhtar Donetsk(UKR), Juventus(ITA), Nordsjælland(DEN)
Group F - Bayern Munchen(GER), Valencia(ESP), LOSC(FRA), BATE(BLR)
Group G - Barcelona(ESP), Benfica(POR), Spartak Moskva(RUS), Celtic(SCO)
Group H - Manchester United(ENG), Braga(POR), Galatasaray(TUR), CFR Cluj(ROU)

Champions League will begin on September 18 with the following matches:
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Porto
PSG vs. Dynamo Kyiv
Montpellier vs. Arsenal
Malaga vs. Zenit
Milan vs. Anderlecht
Dortmund vs. Ajax
Real Madrid vs. Man. City
Olympiacos vs. Schalke

For schedules and results, visit the Champions League website - http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/index.html