Knockout Stage

 

 

France have been extremely fortunate to even qualify for the World Cup, and now they find themselves in the knock-out stages. They meet a very tough opponent in Argentina, and the French's luck should run out here. The attacking presence of Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, and Carlos Tevez may prove to be too much for the France defense. It will be a close game that could go either way – don't be surprised if it goes into extra periods or penalties. Diego Maradona's Argentina should have enough in the tank to pip France after extra minutes.

 

 

 

The Americans are a very optimistic bunch – as well they should be. They have a young team with a lot of heart. Unfortunately, this will not compensate for the general lack of class against a team like Germany. The Germans should boss every aspect of this game and should win fairly comfortably. The US might get an early goal to get their hopes up or just score a consolation goal late in the match, but Germany should go through.

 

 

 

The defending champions face a very physical and unpredictable Cameroon squad. On paper, the Italians should be able to cruise through this one. Don't count out Cameroon just yet, though. They are a very strong team very capable of giving Italy a run for their money. It should be a fairly tight contest with the Italians having the upper hand in extra minutes due to experience. Italy should be able to see themselves through – only just.

 

 

 

Much like Italy, Spain will face a very strong, very unfamiliar foe in the form of the Ivory Coast. Again, on paper, this should be a fairly routine victory for the Spaniards, but Didier Drogba may have something to say about that. The Ivorian hitman will have every reason to try and score against a team that consists of many Barcelona players – who broke his heart in dramatic fashion over a year ago in the Champions League Semi Final. The scary thing about it is that he is capable of outmuscling the Spanish defense and will probably score or set up a goal. Luckily for Spain, they should have more quality all across the board to get themselves through.

 

 

 

This is an interesting matchup between two of the most historically successful teams in the footballing world. It'll be a close contest with both teams trying to stretch the other. Germany will try to set up their attack from the wings, while Argentina will try to dominate down the middle. The Germans will have some advantage when it comes to strength and experience and that may be the difference in what should be a very close battle into extra time. Diego Maradona may not have enough tricks or luck down his sleeve to claim a win this time.

 

 

 

This is a rematch of the dramatic penalty kick-decided semi final of Euro 08 in which Spain won. If there is any defense in the world that will be able to handle the Spanish attack, it's Italy. The defending champions are an intelligent bunch who are familiar with Spain, as proven with them holding Spain goalless in their last match-up. Italy will not have the attacking mettle to be able to truly challenge Spain, though. The Spanish strength and depth will be a key factor in this game, as they will try to push Italy from start to finish. If Spain can get their passing close to perfect in the match, they will be able to break down the tough Italian defense. They should be able to.

 

 

 

 

This will be interesting. The stage is set for the rematch of Euro 08's final. Spain won that time around with a clutch Fernando Torres goal. The Germans will be out for revenge and redemption two years later. The game will be played at a break-neck speed with Spain's one-touch football put against the powerful runs of the Germans. It will be closely fought and maybe decided by a late goal. The question is which defense will break down first. The midfields will be evenly matched. The skill of Spain will be up against the strength of Germany. The German attack will try to outmuscle the Spanish defense while the Spaniards will try to outrun the German traps. Germany will rely on their big center backs to protect their goal while Spain will have the hands of Iker Casillas. It's a potentially explosive match with a lot of emotion. Spain's depth may, once again, be the deciding factor.