The first ever World Cup to be hosted by an African nation is now for the history books. It was a tournament that exceeded expectations in terms of organization and presented some unfamiliar nuances on and off the field, yet not one among the most memorable. More often than not, the quality of play left the audience wanting, possibly the effect of ever longer club seasons, with some of the most electrifying moments provided by unheralded teams and flashes of individual brilliance. A brutish Brazil, an out-of-form Cristiano Ronaldo, a truly disappointing England well short of projections, refereeing controversies – how will the 2010 World Cup in South Africa be remembered? Some retrospective impressions:

1. Germany’s surprising run to an eventual third place. The Germans arrived at the World Cup without their injured star Michael Ballack, featuring a young, somewhat experimental team that included Sami Khedira, Thomas Mueller and Ozil. Germany’s resounding victories over England and Argentina on a global stage represented triumphant moments in German football history and provided some of the best quality throughout the World Cup.

2. France’s meltdown. Entirely predictable and in fact predicted by 91minute after the Ireland qualifier, under Raymond Domenech’s leadership France was going to struggle hard just to get through the group. The implosion was even more radical than projected. French players did absolutely nothing on the field and generated the most infamous scandal imaginable at the World Cup by boycotting their own sessions, an indignity that is still being digested at the highest levels in France – a national humiliation. Some players are deeply ashamed, while others including Anelka and Evra will never be called up to the team again.

3. USA’s magnificent spirit. After holding England to an unspectacular draw and starting off poorly against Slovenia, USA demonstrated tremendous fighting spirit and gamesmanship, dazzling with its come-back performances in the Slovenia and Algeria matches, some of the best drama of the entire World cup. USA bowed out respectfully, with a higher global standing and more fans than ever, although the players and the USA officials had expected to progress to the last eight. A new, higher standard was set in South Africa for American soccer.

4. New Zeeland undefeated, Uruguay stupendous. Incredibly, a team that every one had expected to take three points from went home unbeaten. Draws against three very respectable teams, something to take to heart and build on, or at least tell the grandchildren about. Uruguay’s sensational run was logical on the wings of such a talented group, but a fourth place finish was above all expectations. Diego Forlan, debatably named Player of the Tournament, has reached Enzo Francescoli heights back home in a magical year where everything he touched turned into glory. Of course, Uruguay was much more than Forlan.

5. Africa is Here, Feel It! Big hopes were pinned on the most talented African sides competing in the tournament, but none was able to generate the performances, let alone the results, to inspire. If Cameroon surrounded Samuel Eto’o with an unglamorous supporting cast, Ivory Coast with Drogba, Eboue and the Toure brothers came up well short of potential. The positive African surprise came from Ghana, a team that was not expected to get far without injured captain Michael Essien and very nearly reached the semifinals. Nigeria’s campaign was such a mess that its government suspended the national team program!!! for a period of two years in a truly bizarre form of punishment.

6. Diego Maradona’s new Cervantes look. Contrary to fears and predictions, Maradona was well-behaved while still being Diego throughout the tournament. Things went so well in the first four matches that Argentina got typically over-confident and was rolled over by an irrepressible Germany. This is where Diego went terribly wrong, tactically. The Germany disaster would have never happened with Veron and Milito on the field. On the verge of his 50th birthday, Maradona looked great and appears set to continue as Argentina’s man.

7. Defending champion Italy eliminated at group stage. Another 91minute prediction, this one can only be pinned on Signor Marcello Lippi whose tactical errors cost the Azzurri dearly. Montolivo – DeRossi – Marchisio this is the midfield that failed abysmally and, along with fallible Juventus duo of Chiellini and Cannavaro, is responsible for Italy’s early exit. The good news is that Italy is now in the capable hands of maestro Cesare Prandelli who has the confidence of all Italians, players and officials alike. The future looks brighter for the Azzurri.

8. The Vuvuzelas. In small doses, this popular but irritable one note instrument would have been ok, but the incessant buzzing killed the atmosphere at many matches by drowning out the human elements – the chanting, the crowd reactions, the drumbeats and other music. No more please!

9. Spain won the World Cup without actually playing one full, great game. So talented is Spain that even though its players never hit their stride together, each game enough of them stepped up to carry the day. Time and time again David Villa was the savior, but he had a poor final. Xavi and Iniesta made the difference as always and when they needed a lift Puyol and Sergio Ramos provided it. Fernando Torres was completely ineffective. On the way to the top, Spain won 1-0 four times, winning the tournament efficiently if not spectacularly.

10. Refereeing is poised for changes. There were too many instances where wrong decisions directly impacted the outcome of a match. Australia, South Africa, England, Mexico and USA were all on the wrong end of such instances. FIFA will make certain changes in the future, possibly allowing for instant replay. But just as importantly, there must be a crackdown on players faking injuries from minimal contact. Such instances discredit not only the player but also the game itself.

If the World Cup was short of the sensational, from a commercial point of view it was a tremendous success. Full stadiums, record ticket sales, marketing, corporate sponsors, all that made FIFA rich and happy, although the danger of over-commercializing the World Cup is clear. Four years from now an entirely different energy will mark the tournament in what should be the best global event since Espana ‘82. Brazil took note of what worked and what did not work in South Africa. With enormous tradition and a booming infrastructure, Brazil will be ready to deliver the magic that eluded the World Cup this time around.

Three defensive lapses, a lack of concentration on the finishing side and finally the crossbar cost Uruguay third place and a great ending to their excellent World Cup run. Germany ended the tournament on the same podium as four years ago after a successful campaign that exceeded expectations and launched a new era in German football with a core of young players that will only get better. It was a highly entertaining third place match that set the stage perfectly for the Grand Finale, only the cold rain to contend with for the animated crowd.

Diego Forlan's sensational fifth World Cup goal

The hero of the Ghana penalty shoot-out, Uruguayan goal-keeper Fernando Muslera, had a poor game this time around and was responsible for at least two of the three German goals. Germany went ahead when a crackling shot from Schweinsteiger directly at Muslera was blocked right into the path of a charging Thomas Mueller for a fairly easy tap in. Uruguay took control of the match in the latter part of the first half, first equalizing on a beautiful Edinson Cavani goal and then going ahead on an sensational goal by Diego Forlan. Just when it seemed as if Uruguay was unlikely to relinquish the lead for the rest of the way, Muslera made another gaffe, mistiming a cross that was easily headed in for an equalizer.

The winner came on a collective lapse of concentration in the Uruguayan defense, a scrambling goal that caught Muslera again in the wrong place. Like in the Holland match the South Americans went all out for the equalizer and pressed for the dramatic equalizer that eluded them in the semifinal. The opportunity came literally in the last second. Luis Suarez was knocked down in a perfect spot for Uruguay, the mercurial Diego Forlan stepped up to take it. Had he converted the free-kick, not only was the game’s balance back into Uruguay’s favor but Forlan would have become the leading scorer of the tournament. Not to be. With the last kick of the game, Forlan’s bending shot bounced off the cross bar.

Germany celebrates winner as Uruguay laments defensive errors.

As a prelude to today’s big final, Germany and Uruguay delivered a spectacle worthy of admiration and are to be applauded for taking the match seriously. Both sides will return home with tremendous satisfaction and much to be proud about. Germany’s demolition of England and Argentina will be marked in the history books, as few anticipated this kind of success. Uruguay made a fantastic impression with a completely united team that generated some of the most exciting moments in South Africa and consistently played with great determination. Hopefully the tournament’s culmination will deliver the same type of performance.

The world’s two best teams reached the final of the World Cup with performances worthy of champions. Spain and Holland will meet on Sunday in the climactic point of the tournament, marking the best of all possible finals for fans of the game and FIFA alike. Neither team has ever won a World Cup, although the magical Holland team of the 1970s, unluckily lost two finals in 1974 to Germany in Munich and in 1978 to Argentina in Buenos Aires. In reaching the final, Spain has already made history. With only two losses since 2006 and having won the Euros in 2008, this is the best Spain of all time. Even the tournament’s top scorer will likely be decided on Sunday, as David Villa and Wesley Sneijder, both with five goals and fundamental to their teams’ success, will vie for the title.

Excitement: Holland will try to win its first World Cup ever.

Tuesday Holland overcame a magnificent effort from a resilient Uruguayan team that could not have played with more heart and determination, even while missing three key players. Two stupendous goals and a highly suspect one saw the Dutch through, but it was far from comfortable. Uruguay controlled the pace for a good part of the second half while the game was tied. Sneijder’s goal seemed irregular, but it was allowed to stand and shifted psychological aspect of the match. At 3-1 Holland relaxed and one can only wonder what might have happened had Forlan been on the field for the frantic final 6 minutes. Or Luis Suarez. It was a thrilling ending to a good match that left both sides gasping for air. Holland is jubilant to move forward, while Uruguay will contend for third place and then return to Montevideo as heroes, with so much to be proud of.

Uruguay golden boy Diego Forlan played injured and scored against the Dutch, but his team came up just short.

Wednesday’s anticipated match between Spain and Germany, though less dramatic, was a great display of jogo bonito. Spain’s performances during this World Cup have gradually improved since group stage, but the sense is that Spain has still not played its best game yet. That can be said again after yesterday’s categoric victory over a high flying Germany that simply did not have the ability to contend with Spain’s play-makers. As always, Xavi and Iniesta where the maestros of the match, directing traffic, creating spaces, moving the ball with sublime poise and technical agility. Germany was content to sit back and try to break out on the counter, but found very few opportunities. It was Spain that controlled the tempo throughout, though their chances went awry. It took a stupendous, emphatic header by Carles Puyol, who played like a man possessed yesterday, to break the deadlock and Spain could have added to their tally before the final whistle, but in the end 1-0 was enough.

Puyol's bullet header won it for Spain, Xavi and Iniesta magnificent again.

Without any debate, the better team won. Germany was unable to replicate the energy of the England and Argentina demolition matches, mostly because of the Spanish midfield play. Still, the Germans can be very proud of an unexpectedly great run marked by two of the most “feel-good” victories ever. With so many young players having acquired this World Cup experience, the bar has been raised to the highest of expectations. Germany will play for third place on Saturday, just like four years ago, against the tournament’s revelation Uruguay.

The stage is set for a great encounter between two exceptional teams that should provide a great show on Sunday. Holland will have magnificent support as always. Chartered planeloads are taking thousands more Dutch to this “once in a lifetime” experience. It is a match without a clear favorite – the best performance of the day will prevail, hopefully without any controversy. Having said that, Spain might have saved its best for last. Even without Fernando Torres on top of his game, the Spanish midfield duo of Xavi and Iniesta are in a class apart. Holland’s best chance is to score first and early, forcing Spain to change shape and play with greater urgency out of rhythm. It will be either Spain and David Villa’s day as top scorer, or Holland’s and Wesley Sneijder’s. Before the tournament started 91minute predicted this exact final with Spain as the eventual winner. There is no reason to make a change. May the best team win, enjoy the game!

After escaping unscathed from a nearly disastrous group stage predicament and surviving two difficult encounters against Portugal and Paraguay, Spain has reached the semifinal stage of the World Cup without actually shining, while certainly benefiting from some good recent fortune. It will all come to a head on Wednesday for the Spaniards when they take on a high-flying German side that just steam-rolled over England and Argentina. Nothing short of a perfect team performance will be sufficient this time around for Spain, something they have not been able to do yet in this World Cup.

Spain: the best team in the world when on top of its game.

Reigning European champion Spain is so loaded with exceptional talent from top to bottom that it was inevitably declared the tournament favorite. With Puyol, Pique and Sergio Ramos at the back, Xavi and Iniesta operating in midfield, David Villa and Fernando Torres up front, great expectations accompany the “furia roja.” To this point, Spain has not played a full 90 minute match up to potential. Against Switzerland and Honduras their lack of finishing concentration betrayed them repeatedly. Against Chile, Spain performed just enough to advance and greatly benefited from Chile playing a man short for almost an hour. Against an unimpressive Portugal, Spain won but looked far from invincible, doing still just enough to progress. Every step of the way, David Villa has been the savior, or, as Xavi put it “Villa is our life insurance policy.”

With another opportunity to get all themselves in full alignment and their rhythm going against Paraguay, Spain again was less than impressive and fortunate to advance. Had Oscar Cardozo converted his penalty with a half hour left, Paraguay would have closed down the lanes for the remainder of the match and it might have been game over for Spain. As the game went on Spain pressed without ever dominating a steely defensive Paraguay. The winner came near the end from Saint David Villa once again, late for Paraguay to react, though Roque Santa Cruz missed the equalizer minutes later. It was another close call for Spain, one that fell short of projections. Yet Spain is exactly where it set out to be.

Sergio Ramos and David Villa aim to lead Spain into the final.

There will be no room for error against Germany. Errant passes from Xabi Alonso and Busquets will be converted into blitzing scoring chances by Podolski, Schweinsteiger and Ozil. Playing the ineffective Fernando Torres for half a game while he is completely out of sync, dribbling into defenders and losing the ball virtually every time he touches it, might not be affordable this time around. Above all, Spain cannot waste any real scoring opportunity against the Germans. With confidence and lucidity, Spain will have to deliver the complete performance that has eluded them thus far, hopefully for them not once, but twice.

It is Argentina’s turn to suffer after being knocked around, down and out by an irrepressible German team that controlled the match almost from start to finish and left Maradona’s team shell-shocked, tearful and out of the World Cup at the same stage as four years ago. There was no controversy, no case of bad luck. Maradona described his feelings at the end of the match as equivalent to taking a full punch from Mohammad Ali. It was simply a match where one side rose to the occasion while the other never found its rhythm or its footing, in large part because Diego made a grave tactical error.

By failing to insert big match players Veron and Milito, Maradona left it easy for Germany.

There can be no discussion about Germany’s victory. They were the better side without any debate, quicker to the ball, defending and attacking in compact formations and leaving the opponent very little space in the midfield to operate. Even when ahead Germany always seemed like the side more likely to score with speedy breakouts and excellent movement throughout the pitch. Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Ozil and Muller seemed always just outrun and outskill Argentina in the final third of the field. But what is puzzling is that neither Maradona nor any of his assistants sought to fix the obvious problem in Argentina’s midfield.

By halftime, with no cohesive flow to Argentina’s game and slow construction entirely reliant on Messi, the most effective solution would have been to insert Veron in the place of a largely anonymous Maxi Rodriguez. Even at his age Veron has a commanding presence in the middle of the field with his tackling but also his creativity. Messi always plays better along side Veron. Yet Diego did not insert either Veron or the most in-form attacking center forward in his squad, Diego Milito, who surely would done better than the selfish and ineffective Higuain. Had they been made, those two changes would have rebalanced the match. The Germans must have been counting their blessings for this glaring error of judgment. Pastore for Otamendi? Por favor! Goals three and four came directly from that change. If you go out of the tournament, go out with your best warriors.

Veron: powerful midfield presence left idle.

Without Veron’s support Messi was forced to drop further and further to collect the ball, the roving Tevez never really created any danger, while di Maria continued his mediocre World Cup as Real Madrid must wonder “what did we just pay 30 million euros for.” Germany thrived around the slow and dysfunctional Argentine midfield as everything got worse before the end for Argentina. Instead of revenge for what happened in Berlin four years ago, Argentina was humiliated by a flying, young German team that must be brimming with confidence after resounding wins over England and Argentina.

Germany captain Phillip Lahm was tremendous again.

Argentina was humbled severely by one of the most painful losses in national team history, though it was frustrating to see some of its best players not participate in this match. The suffering will give way to reflection. It remains to be seen if Diego will stay on, something that surely he would like to continue, or if the AFA starts a new project. For Germany’s young stars, the sky is the limit now. They have the confidence to play with anyone and certainly believe that they can win the tournament. In all likelihood, two more enormous tests separate them from that dream: Spain and Holland.

After treating spectators to 119 minutes of a tight, tense, fairly even cat-n-mouse game, drama of the highest caliber engulfed the Ghana – Uruguay quarterfinal with an unprecedented sequence that will be long remembered by both nations and African fans alike. It was a devastatingly sad ending for a Ghana team that exceeded all expectations in reaching this stage of the tournament, carrying the emotional weight of the entire continent in the process. For Uruguay, the tremendous achievement of reaching the semifinal may simply amount to living to fight another day. After pulling off a houdiniesque escape in Johanessburg, the South Americans will take on a powerful Holland team without a few key players.

Ghana came excruciatingly close to being the first African team to reach the semifinal of the World Cup on a play that, it must be said, should not have taken place. The foul given against Uruguay defender Fucile was in error, as the Ghanaian midfielder Ayew had simply slipped. On the ensuing play, virtually the last action, Ghana threw everything forward and out-muscled an exhausted Uruguayan defense to every bounce, the final effort punched off the goal-line by Luis Suarez, Uruguay leading scorer. Automatic red card, the most desperate of defeats was looking upon Uruguay as Ghana’s leading scorer Gyan stepped up to convert the penalty with the final kick of the match. It wasn’t meant to be.

With another lifeline and with the pressure shifting to the African side, Uruguay put their faith into goal-keeper Fernando Muslera and he came through. Sebastian Abreu sealed the victory with a cheeky conversion a la Zidane and it was enough for Uruguay to achieve what seemed impossible minutes prior to their victory celebration, a place in the last four. Without injured captain Diego Lugano, suspended Jorge Fucile and Luis Suarez, it will be very difficult for an emotionally depleted Uruguay squad to keep pace with Holland on Tuesday, but that is why the games are played. Eleven men a side and anything can happen.

For Ghana, the heartbreak will give way to pride and building for the future. While the Nigerian football program is in complete disarray, the Nigerian government having just fired all of the officials and suspending the team from international action, with Cameroon showing little, Ghana’s Black Stars did very well not only to reach the last eight but also to gain fans around the world and make the continent proud. If only Essien would have been with them this time around…

“I would not pay one guilder to see this Brazil play.” Those were the words of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, one of the main protagonists and developers of total football so sorely missed from this World Cup, prior to yesterday’s match between Holland and Brazil in Port Elizabeth. Point exaggerated a bit, but well taken. Playing with an definitively defensive alignment once again, Brazil was eliminated from the World Cup by a Dutch team that showed character, persistence, technical excellence, creativity and a great desire for attacking football even when ahead.

Wesley Sneijder was the main protagonist of the Dutch come-back.

Under Dunga the world’s most fashionable team devolved into a defensively focused unit effective at shutting down adverse creativity and at physically, sometimes even thuggishly, tackling opponents into submission. There were plenty of signs for concern during the qualifiers, but with a clean slate in South Africa the disciplinarian Dunga was allowed to test his program on the highest platform. The result cannot be regarded as a surprise. In fact, 91minute.com predicted this exact match-up and outcome. Dunga started yesterday with eight defensive players – the back four, Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, normally a defender, and two defensive midfielders in Felipe Melo and Gilberto Silva. Three offensive players in Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano, of which only Robinho showed good form up to this point of the tournament.

Perhaps on another day Brazil’s 1-0 would have held up. Martin Stekelenburg, the Dutch keeper, was sure on this day and made one critical save in the first half to keep the deficit narrow. And the own goal was a psychological turning point, with the Dutch now going forward relaxed instead of desperate. But after the second Dutch goal, Brazil looked alarmingly unprepared to play from behind. Who is going to score a goal? Lucio started to come up, Dani Alves and Maicon did their best, then Dunga added to the Brazilian frustration by replacing Luis Fabiano – unquestionably Brazil best available forward – with little Nilmar, a move that made the Dutch defenders’ life easier. Neymar and Pato were not around to call on, Josue and Ramires simply did not seem like the solution.

Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano needed more support and more inspiration.

Holland missed a couple of golden opportunities to kill off the game, but managed to hold up strongly to the final all out Brazilian assault which never seemed more feeble than on this occasion. At the end of the match Brazilian players seemed shocked, but there was also a look of resignation on some faces, a clear understanding that this is the end of the Dunga era. Felipe Melo, who started the match very well but was involved in two decisive episodes as the present day embodiment of Dunga as a player, stated that it was hard for him to describe his feelings. “I don’t have words,” he said. “I just called home and my son was crying. I have to apologize.”

Holland’s historic victory, celebrated throughout the Orange masses around the world, some jumping into Amsterdam’s canals, may be the beginning of a dominant period for Dutch football. With an exceptionally talented group of players that has many good years ahead, Holland fully believe now that they can win this tournament and foreseeable ones. For giants of the game like Brazil, a perennial favorite to win every match in any competition, a moment like this provides the opportunity to start a new chapter, to re-energize and introduce a fresh vibe. The future looks bright. After all, Brazil is already qualified for the next World Cup.

Spain knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal without putting together a memorable performance, but controlling most of the possession and relying on its sensational savior to come through once again. David Villa has been invaluable for Spain reaching the quarterfinal stage of the tournament, accounting for all of the team’s goals except for one, which he set up. On the other side, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to even resemble anything close to form, disappearing for long stretches of the match and, overall, never lifting his team to another level.

Brilliant: David Villa has been Spain's offense, but others must step up for Spain to go further

In winning, Spain did little more than advance. Despite an improved performance, there is still some unease about Spain’s game, the most obvious concern of all being Fernando Torres. The mega talented striker is very off: his coordination is off, his pace and dribbling is off, his timing is totally off. Yet it is clear that he is trying very hard to get back to form. It’s as if a chip was misplaced after his recent operation. The game changed positively for Spain when Torres was replaced with Paco Llorente, whose presence had an immediate impact. How long will Del Bosque stick with Torres remains to be seen. He wants to show confidence and will probably start with Torres again against Paraguay, but both Torres and Spain must improve significantly going forward.

Ronaldo’s mediocre World Cup was as regrettable as Spain’s victory was deserved. So much more was expected from a player of extraordinary technical and physical ability, but in the end this was the least effective Ronaldo ever seen, going back to when he first came on the scene with Sporting and Man United. Much less effective than four years ago in Germany and anytime in between up to the end of his La Liga season. From the outset he seemed less nimble, slightly stiff, but more importantly not hungry enough for the ball and unable to shake off defenders. He was just another player out there, nothing special. One measly goal against North Korea, meaningless, yet he never tormented defenses with pace and unpredictable technique as he is capable of. All the criticism is going to Portugal coach Carlos Queroz, yet somehow this explanation doesn’t satisfy.

Fatigue, lack of focus and a relaxed work ethic may explain Ronaldo's drop in form

At the end Cristiano said that he was “inconsolable” and that he had the right to “suffer privately.” Ok amigo, but where was the fire on the field? Diego Maradona was surrounded by less talent when he propelled Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986. Four years later Diego definitely had much less to play with in Italy 1990 and still somehow managed to get Argentina to the final. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo need to rise to the absolute top of their game on a world stage like this, regardless of the manager’s terms. There was no magic from Cristiano this time around. Sadly, if he would have missed the tournament, it might not have made any difference for Portugal.

Spain will take on Paraguay next, a difficult and confident opponent who will play with utmost determination. Paraguay has reached unprecedented success in South Africa and with four world class strikers in Oscar Cardozo, Nelson Valdez, Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Barrios certainly has the firepower. The question for Paraguay remains its midfield, an area Spain will look to exploit. This match will be tighter than expected, especially if Paraguay somehow manages to score first. But Spain will not be surprised. The Iberians have grown with each game and might start to peak at the right moment, which could be a problem not only for Paraguay, but also for all the remaining contenders.

Brazil eased into the quarterfinals with a dominating win over a good Chile side that suddenly looked over-matched in every respect. Rarely sweating, Brazil made a strong statement about its World Cup ambitions with an imposing style of physical play, demonstrating again that under Dunga jogo bonito is history and jogo fuerte is the new beautiful.

It was not an especially spectacular match. Brazil was hardly tested and showed only glimpses of lively, attacking futebol. Chile was unable to create much against the stifling Brazilian defense, but also played too timidly, reaffirming an old psychological complexity against their giant neighbors. Still, Chile exited the tournament after an impressive group stage performance, with a lot to be proud of and a solid team to go forward with. The most critical task for Chile will be holding on to their Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa, who has done very well and may or may not stay. If he goes, Chile needs a respectable presence to step in and, coincidentally, Chile’s most prestigious coach, Manuel Pellegrini, is very much available having just been relieved of duties at Real Madrid.

Brazil will take on Holland next, an exceptional encounter worthy of a tournament final. In the day’s most entertaining match, without shining, Holland did enough to get past a dangerous Slovakia who, on a luckier day, might have complicated the Dutch easy path to the last 8 more severely. Though Holland dominated on the whole, Slovakia played well in the second half and missed three golden opportunities to get even. The late consolation goal cooled out a fired up Slovakian side that had been angry with the refereeing. In the end there were no complaints. Holland advanced, Slovakia proved that it belonged, respect.

Dunga's fierce tackling helped knock out a brilliant Holland in 1994. Will history repeat itself?

Like Brazil, the Orange Machine is not cranking at full speed yet, but every Dutch player will need to be at his best to challenge the Brazilian defense. Robben, van Persie, Snejder and van Bommel can expect to take a beating and must rise up physically to withstand the Brazilian clash. The Dutch will be ready. The only sign of concern is van Persie’s ego-maniacal attitude. Without harmony and chemistry in the squad, the Dutch will have no chance. Van Persie displayed again his selfishness, worthy a hazing from the team’s elders. At the World Cup, at this stage, he better understand that he is just a component of a much bigger project. For all his talent, this is why Feyenoord gave up on van Persie when he was 18.

On the other side, Dunga must get better performances from Kaka and even Luis Fabiano, who scored yesterday, but was not on top of his game. Robinho also started the tournament in excellent form, but yesterday he was more anonymous. Brazil are the Inter of national teams – indeed Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio play for Inter. Juan is just as physical, as are Dani Alves, Gilberto Silva and Bastos. They can hammer an opponent into submission and find a scrappy way to win. A far departure from the Brasil of the 70s and 80s, but a system fully embraced by this group of players. Holland–Brazil, along with Argentina–Germany, two classics that should provide the most electrifying matches of the tournament.

Fabio Capello’s reign may come to an abrupt end after England was crushed by arch-nemesis Germany in a match that will be remembered for a critically controversial moment and for an English team’s persistent ineptitude. Despite fielding a roster of big names and personalities, with the exception of a twenty minute stretch England was run off the pitch by a young German team’s sharp passing game and lightning fast counters that ended with clinical finishes.

England's "four lions" accountable for the team's performance

Amidst the usual chorus of calls for the manager’s head, an even louder message now recognizes that England is simply not as good as its people, media and football officials believe. Gerrard, Terry, Rooney, Barry, Ashley Cole and even Lampard displayed only glimpses of their “super-star” reputations over England’s four tournament matches. David James, while not committing any further calamities, did nothing to elevate his team’s chances. Today, perhaps on either the second or the third goal, he might have done better. England rarely played with fighting spirit throughout the tournament and always seemed confused in the construction phase, while its defensive weaknesses were amply exposed today. And Rooney? A super talented player in great form just a couple of months ago, a goal scoring machine on an almost unstoppable tear, was barely visible for long stretches of England’s campaign.

In all fairness, Lampard’s goal would have changed the psychology of the match completely. It would have up-ended Germany’s seemingly tremendous advantage emphatically, leaving Germany rambling and under fierce pressure as England at last roared. Instead, England was unable to even the score by halftime and playing from behind proved to be taxing. Two blitzing counters finished by Thomas Muller devastated the English hopes. The rest of the way England looked defeated, though one sensational save by the German keeper was needed to keep the score-line intact. It was a German triumph of epic proportion, one that avenged the historic 5-1 thrashing inflicted by the Brits in Berlin a few years ago, but not one that came up to the magnitude of 1966. While Germany celebrates before focusing on the next step, England should take time and take an honest assessment of its talent pool before making future plans with or without Capello.

Germans celebrate the most savored of all victories.

Germany will take on Diego Maradona’s Argentina next, after the South Americans got past a tough opponent without ever playing under pressure. Messi and Tevez provided all of the offense necessary to overpower a Mexican side that fell behind unfortunately and was unable to fully recover. An off-side Carlos Tevez goal and a monumental give-away error by Mexican defender Osorio put Argentina in command, albeit not in the prettiest of ways. Mexico struggled to put much together until the second half, when Pablo Barrero’s introduction provided the needed spark. Yet just when Mexico seemed closer to reducing a two goal deficit, Carlos Tevez put the game out of reach with a stupendous, sensational strike seen around the world, surely one of the goals of the tournament.

Man-of-the-Match: Maradona favorite Carlitos Tevez.

Mexico did score through a great individual effort from “Chicharito” Hernandez, but Argentina held on comfortably for a win marred by another critical refereeing controversy. The referee and the linesman conferred after Tevez’s first goal, scored from an off-side position, yet without the benefit of instant replay they decided to let the goal stand. Argentina might have prevailed anyway, though Argentine players will not mind a win tainted by favorable controversy. Next up for the pibes is a test of maximum intensity, a match worthy of a World Cup final. Argentina and Germany met at the same exact stage four years ago when the host nation narrowly eliminated the South Americans. Will that moment be avenged or will Germany, yet again, somehow reach the final phase of the tournament without being favored to win it all? A classic encounter not to be missed.