William Hill World Cup

There were fewer red cards (10) at the 2014 World Cup than any other edition since 1986 when there were 8.

The 2014 World Cup saw a joint-high number of goals scored (171).

Germany have reached the World Cup final for the 8th time; more often than any other side in the history of the competition.

Germany have scored 18 goals in these finals – the last team to score as many in a World Cup tournament was Brazil (also 18) in 2002.

Argentina trailed for just seven minutes in the entire tournament (excl. injury time).

Belgium reached the quarter final stage, despite only holding a lead for 52 minutes in their five matches combined.

Brazil committed 31 fouls in their quarter final win over Colombia; the most fouls that they had made in a single World Cup game since records began in 1966.

James Rodriguez became the first player to score in his first five career World Cup appearances since Peru’s Teofilo Cubillas (across the 1970 and 1978 tournaments). Gerd Muller in 1970 was the last player to do it in a single tournament.

Miroslav Klose became the top scoring player in World Cup history with his strike against Brazil in the semi-finals (16 goals).

This was the first time that three sides from the CONCACAF region made it out of the group stages and into the last 16 (since the format began in 1986).

Costa Rica knocked out Italy, England, Greece and beat Uruguay, four sides placed in the top 12 positions of the FIFA Rankings (Uruguay – 7th, Italy – 9th, England – 10th, Greece – 12th).

Only six European nations made it to the last 16; a joint-World cup low since the Round of 16 was introduced in 1986.

All eight group stage winners progressed to the quarter finals stage for the first time in World Cup history.

One point was England’s lowest-ever haul in a World Cup group stage.

In fact, this was the first time that England have been eliminated from a World Cup at the group stage since 1958.

Three of the last four teams to win the World Cup have gone out in the following group stage (France 2002, Italy 2010, Spain 2014).

There were more goals scored by substitutes in this World Cup than in any previous edition (32).

Silvestre Varela's goal for Portugal v USA was the latest during normal time of a World Cup finals match since 1994 (94:33).

Tim Howard made 15 saves in the USA’s last 16 defeat to Belgium – no goalkeeper has ever made as many saves in a single World Cup game (1966-2014).

Three of the Netherlands’ five outright victories in this World Cup tournament were from losing positions in normal time.

Italy have exited at the group stage in their last two World Cups. The last time they managed this was in the 1960s (1962 and 1966).

Germany are the first European team to win the World Cup in the Americas.

UEFA have won the last three World Cups, the first time a single confederation has won three in a row.

Germany’s 7-1 win was the biggest margin of victory ever seen in a World Cup semi-final and they were the first team to score this many goals in the SF’s.

With their destruction of Brazil, Germany became the top scoring nation in World Cup history (223), overtaking Brazil in the process. Germany ended the tournament with 224 goals, three ahead of Brazil.

Luke Shaw was the youngest player to play at this World Cup finals, when he played for England v Costa Rica (18y 348d).

13.3% of shots have been scored at these finals; a higher proportion than in any other World Cup tournament since records began in 1966.

There were only three direct free-kicks scored at these finals, the fewest since 1986 (3). In 2010 there were five scored, while in 2006 and 2002, nine were scored.

The only World Cup to see more own goals than this tournament (5) was the 1998 finals (6).

Switzerland’s Diego Benaglio was the only goalkeeper to register a shot at the 2014 tournament, thanks to a late effort vs Argentina.

Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi created two goalscoring chances for the Foxes; only three of his team-mates managed more in the tournament.

Brazil have topped every group they’ve played in at a World Cup from 1982 onwards.

Spain conceded 5+ goals in an international (1-5 vs Netherlands) for the first time since losing 6-2 to Scotland in June 1963.

A four goal margin is the biggest losing margin by a defending champion at a World Cup.

Brazil’s 7-1 defeat to Germany was the biggest losing margin by a host nation at a World Cup.

Tim Cahill has scored in three World Cups for Australia; no other Australian has done so in more than one tournament

Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan (6) overtook Cameroon’s Roger Milla (5) as all-time top scoring African player at a World Cup.

Algeria became the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup game when they beat South Korea 4-2.

England’s Wayne Rooney recorded his first World Cup assist in his teams opening game vs Italy and his first goal in their game vs Uruguay.

Keisuke Honda became the first Japanese player to score at two separate World Cups.

Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri scored the first entirely left-footed hat-trick at a World Cup (1966-2014).

His treble was also the 50th hat-trick in the history of the World Cup.

By losing 4-0 to Germany, Portugal conceded four goals in a World Cup for the first time in their history.

Clint Dempsey’s goal (29 seconds) vs Ghana for the USA was the fifth fastest in World Cup history.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart made only one save in two World Cup games.

In his 126 minutes of World Cup action, Diego Costa failed to muster a single shot on target (only five shots in total).

In winning Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012, Spain conceded a total of six goals, one fewer than they did in their three matches at World Cup 2014.

Alex Song picked up Cameroon’s eighth red card in their World Cup history. His relative Rigobert Song is one of only two players (along with Zinedine Zidane) to be sent off twice at World Cups, meaning the Song family is responsible for three of Cameroon’s eight reds.

Olivier Giroud’s opening goal vs Switzerland was France’s 100th goal at World Cup finals.

Neymar scored the 100th goal of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil’s 100th game in World Cup finals history.

Against Japan Colombia’s substitute goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon became the oldest ever player to feature in a World Cup match, at 43 years and three days.

Honduras have now played nine games without a win at the World Cup (D3 L6). They have played more matches at the World Cup without winning than any other side (New Zealand, El Salvador and Bolivia – all six).

Ghana went out in the group stage for the first time ever (in their third World Cup). Now only three teams have never exited in a World Cup opening group stage: Germany, Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.

Fabio Capello has won one of his seven World Cup games as a manager.

Mexico have been knocked out of the World Cup finals at the second round stage in all six editions since 1994; no team has been knocked out at this stage as often as this.

Nigeria have lost all three of their World Cup second round ties (0-2 v France in 2014, 1-2 v Italy in 1994 and 1-4 v Denmark in 1998).

Angel Di Maria’s goal vs Switzerland is the latest ever scored by Argentina at the World Cup (118 minutes).

Switzerland have failed to score in their last three World Cup knockout matches, last scoring in one in 1954.

Belgium only conceded a total of three goals in five games at the 2014 World Cup.

The Netherlands progressed to the semi-finals for the third time in their last four World Cups.

Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas saved 21 of the 23 shots on target that he faced at this World Cup (91%).

Thomas Muller has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in just 13 World Cup matches.

Against Brazil in the semi-final, Germany were 5-0 up faster than any other team in World Cup history (29 minutes).

The 7-1 defeat to Germany equalled Brazil’s all-time biggest margin of defeat (lost 6-0 to Uruguay in 1920).

Germany scored two more goals vs Brazil than England have in their past two World Cup campaigns combined.

Argentina have progressed from all four of their World Cup semi-finals.

Argentina vs Netherlands was the first World Cup semi-final to finish 0-0 (including extra-time). Lionel Messi did not touch the ball in the opposition box in the entire 120 minutes.

Nine of the 14 goals Brazil conceded in this World Cup came in the first 30 minutes of their games.

Brazil conceded 10 goals from 14 shots on target conceded in the semi-final and third place playoff game combined.

Mario Götze is the first substitute to score a winning goal in the World Cup final.

Mario Götze is the youngest scorer of a goal in a World Cup final since Wolfgang Weber in 1966 (22 years, 33 days).

The 7-1 humiliation of Brazil might actually work against Germany on Sunday. 

Suddenly it has elevated them to hot favourites – they are 4/6 to win it with William Hill – and a team of almost superhuman players. But that is not the reality of the situation. 

The logic says Germany. The fantasy lies at the feet of Lionel Messi. It is written in the stars that he will win the World Cup for Argentina.

VIEW ALL THE LATEST GERMANY V ARGENTINA BETTING

The burden of having such enormous acclaim for the 7-1 victory might be a psychological burden on Germany, they might feel the pressure to live up to that crazy result.

Don’t judge Germany in that one game because Brazil were as bad as Germany were good. It’s virtually impossible to judge on that one-off game. Germany are actually by far the better team than Argentina, superior in every department. But sometimes football defies logic - and this is the time.

Messi is a man on a mission to deliver the World Cup in the same way as Diego Maradona did when I was a player up against him in the Azteca Stadium back in ’86. 

I have never felt more devastated than that quarter final defeat 28 years ago. It was the worst feeling of my entire football career, knowing there had been such an injustice as I clearly saw Maradona handball THAT goal.

Then, as now, Argentina were a one-man team, an ordinary team with one magician who can turn a game in a blink of an eye. Argentina had it then with Maradona and they have it now with Messi.

It was that reason I tipped Argentina before the tournament began. I wavered only at the semi-final stage, when I thought Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands would just have the edge - it turned out to be one of the worst games of the entire tournament and Messi had one of his off days, hardly putting a foot right, losing possession and have little to no effect on the game - although didn’t he take his penalty well?

When it comes to Sunday’s final, there should be, by rights, only winner - Germany. They are the better team. But having said Argentina from the start, and going with my gut feeling that Messi will turn it on, I think Argentina will get lucky.

They are relying on Messi and Germany will know that - I expect Joachim Low will devise a plan to try and tightly mark him.

But the way they tore Brazil apart, a team with zero defence, there is a sneaky feeling on my part that the Germans have peaked early. For all the attacking football in this tournament, paradoxically, it could be the team that defends the best, wins this World Cup.

But sometimes it is impossible to defend against Messi.

Low has been way ahead of ‘Alex’ Sabella in terms of coaching and managerial skills in this tournament. The one time Sheffield United and Leeds player has got Argentina to the final by hook or by crook, but mainly relying on Messi.

You have to applaud the Argentine defence as they don’t get exposed. Much of that security is built around the outstanding Javier Mascherano, the one-time West Ham and Liverpool player, who has been the best player on the pitch by a mile. First class.

His recovery and tackle on Arjen Robben was the key to Argentina progressing to the Final via penalties.

It all boils down to whether or not Messi is in the mood. I have suspected for some time that his dip in form last season with Barcelona was because he had become so obsessed with the World Cup.

If he is saving his best performance for the final, it will be a joy to watch. The key for Argentina is to make sure they get Messi on the ball as much as possible.

I have a hunch that the Germans reached the heights against the hosts… and if Messi turns it on, he will be holding aloft the World Cup on Sunday evening.

VERDICT: ARGENTINA TO WIN

With a couple of day’s down time before the World Cup reaches its finale, William Hill are taking the time to look back at the tournament so far and what it has meant for the bookmakers.

Before the tournament started, William Hill made a prediction of £200m turnover although the tournament has proved so popular that figure has already been smashed with two games still to play.

On top of the predicted turnover having been obliterated, the pre-tournament forecast of 17 million bets being placed has been broken as well.

Germany are 4/6 to win the World Cup with Argentina 6/5 - BET HERE

Through the tournament, there have been some highs and lows for the bookmakers…

Busiest match –

The country ground to a near standstill as England faced Uruguay in their vital Group D game.

England went into the match as odds on favourites at 4/5 and William Hill customers were backing them as though they were certainties to win the game – in some parts of the country, up to 85% of bets were for an England win.

In total, well over £5.5m was staked from nearly 788,000 bets.

Best result for the punters –

The match that the world had been waiting four years for kicked off on the 12th June as World Cup hosts, Brazil faced Croatia.

Brazil were already incredibly well backed and then William Hill made the decision to enhance the price of Brazil winning to Even money.

A couple of dubious refereeing decisions later, punters were boosted by the biggest total payout of the World Cup.

Best result for the bookmakers -

After winning the opening game, William Hill customers were tempted into backing Brazil when they went up against Mexico.

Nearly £4.5m worth of wagers were staked with the 0-0 draw proving to be the worst result of the tournament for punters.

The match was one of eight that failed to see a goal (in 90 minutes) and thus qualified for William Hill’s bore draw refund. In total, William Hill have refunded £703,285 worth of free bets on the back of 0-0 draws.

Largest single bet –

The largest single William Hill wager was placed in William Hill’s American sports book in Nevada, when a gutsy punter stuck down $350,000 on Argentina defeating Iran during the group stages.

With the game tightly poised at 0-0 with mere seconds to go, Lionel Messi popped up and scooped a $30,000 profit.

Other bets have seen £140,000 staked on Germany at 5/2 to win the World Cup after their win against France in the quarter final, a wager of £146,000 on Costa Rica to defeat Greece in 90 minutes (which they did not do) and £20,000 one a Brazil vs Argentina final at 8/1.

Biggest liability wager –

In November of 2013, a William Hill online punter placed the two most unlikely bets of the World Cup.

He placed £300 each way on Australia winning the World Cup at 2500/1 and £200 e/w at the same price for Iran to win it.

As unlikely as the bets were, they had William Hill suitably worried as the Australia bet would have paid out £1.5m and the Iran bet would have paid out £1m.

The surprise package of the tournament were Costa Rica, who were the subject of a €50 wager from a client in Malta at 2500/1 at the start of the tournament. When they were eventually knocked out, they were 33/1.

World Cup winner: 4/6 Germany; 6/5 Argentina

90 minutes: 13/10 Germany; 23/10 Argentina; 21/10 draw

Holland's goal keeper Jasper Cillessen continues his professional career without having saved a penalty, chalking up another four in the penalty shootout last night which saw Argentina reach the World Cup final. 

That's now 17 in total having faced eight in the Eredivisie, three in Champions League and now six in the World Cup and vindicates Louis van Gaal's decision to bring on Tim Krul when the Dutch faced Costa Rica in their quarter final shootout.

But we shouldn't dismiss the talents of the 25 year old as he kept a clean sheet making four saves against a team containing Messi, Higuain and Aguero and, according to Opta, made two successful dribbles. 

These must be they.... OLE!!

Cheeky Cillessen. That smirk tho LOL #NED #NEDvsARG http://t.co/YKsiva6SLj #WorldCup #HupHOLLANDHup!... http://t.co/9xT29P0jWs

— David Wears (@DavidWearsPhoto)

July 9, 2014

106th minute of a World Cup semi final, cool as you like. #NED #ARG https://t.co/4nlFOqlncK

— Neil Sherwin (@neilsherwin)

July 9, 2014

The odds were against Holland from the start as we made Argentina the 8/11 favourites to reach the World Cup final ahead of last night's semi and the Opta stats suggest it was always going to be so:

Argentina had progressed from all three of their World Cup semi-finals.

Argentina had lost just one of their last 16 World Cup games (not including shootouts)

The question was raised during the match whether either side fancied taking on the rampant Germans given their 7-1 drubbing of hosts Brazil the night before:

Holland failed to register a shot on target in the 90 minutes of normal time.

Lionel Messi did not touch the ball in the penalty area throughout the 120 minutes played.

So it went to penalties and without Tim Krull coming on again it was never going to be Holland's day:

Argentina had won three out of four World Cup penalty shootouts.

Jasper Cillessen had faced 12 penalties in his professional career and saved none

South American teams had won seven out of nine shootouts against sides from other continents. 

Holland had lost their only previous semi-final shootout.

Had Holland reached the final they would have been the first team to make it having not scored in the quarter final or semi-final, so it looks like the right team made the final, but who will win it?

They meet in a World Cup Final for the third time and it's honours even. Who will lift the trophy at the Maracana? in William Hill Betting's Hangs on LockerDome // <![CDATA[ (function(d,s,id,elid) {window.ldInit = window.ldInit || []; ldInit.push(elid);if (d.getElementById(id)) return;var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];js=d.createElement(s); js.id=id;js.async=true;js.src="//cdn2.lockerdome.com/_js/embed.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document, "script", "lockerdome-wjs", "ld-9469-3710")); // ]]>

For the third time in history it's a Germany v Argentina World Cup Final. Here are our latest odds:

TO LIFT THE CUP:

4/6 Germany 

11/10 Argentina

TO WIN IN 90 MINUTES:

13/10 Germany

21/10 draw

23/10 Argentina

TO WIN IN 90 MINS & BOTH TEAMS SCORE:

5/1 Germany

16/5 draw

The world is still reeling from Germany’s demolition of the World Cup’s host nation and the shocking nature of the result is highlighted in the fact that not a single punter out of more than 120,000 who tried managed to predict the correct scoreline with Britain biggest bookmaker William Hill.

7-1 was a 500/1 shot but not even those lofty odds could tempt any punters to part with their cash although there was one solitary punter who managed to predict the halftime correct score of 5-0 at 300/1.

22-year-old music student, Paul Wheatley who lives in Altrincham, Cheshire was the only William Hill customer to win any money on the shock correct score result in the Germany/Brazil match. Not one of the other 120,000 correct score bets came close to matching Paul’s 80p wager at 300/1 that Germany would be ahead by five goals to nil at half time. The wager returned £240.80.

“For the price of a tin of beans our student will be living off a slightly inflated budget for the next couple of weeks,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly. “Not one of our customers managed to predict the correct score in the match – which is the first time in recent World Cup history.”

The double bass player who is currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music deposited £10 with William Hill at the start of the World Cup and once his winning bet was placed, Paul was down to just 5p in his account.

After the bet was placed, just 10 minutes before kick-off, Paul did not sit down to watch the match - instead he was talked into watching The Hunger Games with his girlfriend.

“I was following the match on the FIFA app on my phone and after the third goal went in, we left Jennifer Lawrence and turned over to the footy,” said Paul after his win. “After the fifth goal was scored in the 30th minute, we were subjected to the tensest quarter of an hour ever.”

When asked why he chose Germany, Paul explained that not only has he rated them throughout the whole tournament but his mother is German and he was born (and spent seven years) in Dusseldorf.

Paul added - “There was no logic behind my selection, I just like to place small wagers at long odds in the hope that I will win big.”

Paul is now planning on putting his windfall towards driving lessons and a year studying in Germany next year.

Miroslav Klose broke Ronaldo’s World Cup goalscoring record although his fellow countryman Thomas Muller is hot on his heels already. At just 24 years old and with 10 World Cup goals to his name, he is 6/1 to overtake Klose’s record (whatever that may be after Sunday).

Germany are 4/6 to win the World Cup with Argentina 5/2 and Holland 4/1.

6/1         Thomas Muller to overtake Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scoring chart at any point in his career

I have stuck with Argentina to win the World Cup since the start – but in the last day or two I have changed my mind.

There will be little in this second semi-final ... but I’m going for the Dutch.

Agree? Bet here on Holland v Argentina

I think I’m allowed to do a U-turn, because the tournament can evolve, there can be changes, and there have been with injuries to key players, as well as fluctuations in fortunes. You then have to rely on the strength of your squad.

Argentina are average and they rely on Lionel Messi.

I’m staying in the same hotel as the Dutch squad here in Rio de Janeiro and I see them tucking into their breakfast every morning.

You can sense their confidence; it’s in the air, they have a huge belief that they are going to do it.

Before the Costa Rica game, I chatted to Tim Krul in reception. The Newcastle goalkeeper was not only totally supportive of the entire squad, but it also struck me what a nice guy he was.

I don’t think I’ve seen anything like Louis van Gaal’s decision to bring him on for the penalty shootout. But it was a shrewd decision. Apparently, Jasper Cillessen had never saved a penalty before.

The Dutch have notoriously been unable to achieve unity in previous tournaments, but not in this one.

And for that reason I have a sneaking feeling they will beat Argentina.

It won’t be easy for one reason - Messi.  He is dangerous against any defence, and I think the Dutch defence is vulnerable and will certainly will exposed at times when Messi gets into his stride.

However, this is a game when Messi will need some help.

Maybe if Argentina had everyone fit, I might have stuck with them, but without Sergio Aguero and now Angel Di Maria, I think Holland will get over the line.

They hit teams on the counter attack, and I don’t see Argentina coping.

PREDICTION: HOLLAND TO REACH THE FINAL

Shocking, but not a shock!

For me it was no surprise that Brazil fell apart defensively last night, because from before the tournament started I made the point that Brazil cannot defend.

Only the margin of the defeat by Germany was a surprise.

Yet, I’m not so sure it should have come as such a shock if you’ve been following my predictions in my William Hill column!

My point has always been that three out of their four defenders cannot defend, that only Thiago Silva resembled a defender, and with Silva suspended, I don’t think I have ever witnessed a back line of four with all four ‘defenders’ unable to defend.

Not only that I also suggested that this Brazil team were average going forward, and that they relied on Neymar totally, that three of their big name stars, Oscar, Hulk and Paulinho hadn’t turned up for this entire tournament.

Neymar was a great loss, of course, but not even someone so talented could have done much to help out a non-existent defence, and it was only a matter of time before he couldn’t carry an entire team on his own.

Neymar was nowhere near as effective in his last two games and might not have made much of a difference in any case against the Germans.

The bottom line has been that Brazil sent out an entire back four - all of whom wanted to play on the ball.

It has been a measure of Brazil’s support that they had been tolerant of such a team for so long, but the fans clearly made their feelings felt at the end of a semi-final that has clearly defined this entire tournament.

Here’s what I said in my William Hill column before the tournament started.....

“ I think Brazil will struggle in this tournament to come to terms with the heavy load of expectancy on their shoulders … I’ve not been impressed with Brazil in their warm up games, I’ve not seen anything that makes me thing that they will frighten the opposition and should be ranked favourites…. I think this is a really open tournament. But I really don't fancy Brazil to win it – I think they have big frailties defensively.

In fact when I watched them out here playing Fluminense they won 5-3 but they could have conceded a few more goals in the last five minutes.”

And this is what I wrote yesterday…

“This is not the Brazil we expect to see reaching the semi-final of the World Cup.  This is a Brazil who are one step from the final without actually ever playing that well. In fact, they are carrying three players; Fred, Oscar, and Paulinho … Where’s the flair?  Where’s the imagination?  Where’s the beauty in their football?

“Tactically they are not in good shape.  If they play like they did against Colombia they will struggle against Germany… in the first half it was incredible how both teams lost their shape - it was like a game you would see in the playground . Brazil got lucky against Colombia…  I doubt whether it will happen again against the Germans . No European team has ever won in South America, and it is easy to see why…  but the Germans will never have a better opportunity to break that record.

Every World Cup you want to adopt Brazil as ‘your’ team. As a kid there was always something magical about the way the Brazilians played, you were drawn to them like a magnet.

VIEW ALL OUR BETTING ON BRAZIL V GERMANY

Here in Rio, even more so - you want to feel the passion for the host nation, you would want the team most associated with ‘The Beautiful Game’ to come through to the Final and make it a carnival of football.

But I can’t do it this time, and I imagine there might be many who feel the same way.

This is not the Brazil we expect to see reaching the semi-final. This is a Brazil who are one step from the final without actually playing that well. They are carrying three players - Fred, Oscar, and Paulinho. None of them have up turned in any of the games. Hulk had been much the same, although he was much improved against Colombia.

They are under so much pressure that far too many players, as many as four or five at times, have produced four or five out of ten performances, and that’s really not good enough.

Where’s the flair? Where’s the imagination? Where’s the beauty in their football?

VIEW ALL OUR BETTING FOR BRAZIL V GERMANY

Brazil relied on Neymar, yet he had a very subdued game against Colombia until his terrible injury ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.

Neymar was not special against Colombia. Brazil were not special. In fact they have not opened any team up with stylish football in this tournament. They’ve been able to get over the line, mostly on the raw emotion of the home support and the passion and desire not to let down an entire nation.

The problem is that the emotion can work two ways, it can lift a team with such passionate home support, but it can be suffocating.

Brazil have found a way to get over the line, they are doing something right. Much of that is down to Phil Scolari and how he is galvanising the team ethic, channelling all that emotion and passion.

But even tactically they are not in good shape. If they play like they did against Colombia they will struggle against Germany.

In the first half it was incredible how both teams lost their shape - it was like a game you would see in the playground, but that really didn’t suit Colombia who have shown an impressive pattern of play throughout the tournament.

Raw emotion alone won’t be enough against the Germans. The Germans will have even less fear than the Colombians. In fact, no fear.

Brazil got lucky again against Colombia. I doubt whether it will happen again against the Germans.

FEELING LUCKY? BET HERE ON BRAZIL V GERMANY

Thiago Silva worked extremely hard to get into the right position to force the ball in from the corner, and David Luiz produced the one moment of magic that you are looking for from Brazilians.

From all that mediocrity came one flash of genius, one touch of natural ability from nowhere.

Before kick-off, I was sure the Colombians would give them a game with their injection of pace and technical abilities. I thought Colombia would knock them out.

But Brazil are winning ugly, and against Colombia they were hacking the ball aimlessly into touch towards the end just to cling on. Brazil were erratic defensively and when they were in possession.

Brazil have scored six times in this tournament but only had eight shots on target. Six in eight is unbelievable. For that reason I would like a European team to come through, and for my money the favourites among the Europeans is clearly Germany.

Joachim Low made tactical changes, only subtle ones but clever ones in midfield, but sufficient to alter the shape of his team to get Germany over the line against France. Andre Schurrle and Sami Khedira in midfield stopped the French, who had been flying in this tournament, getting into their stride.

It was a big call leaving out Per Mertesacker, but it was the right call, the coach seeing the Arsenal centre half was dead on his feet in their last game, and his lack of pace was an issue. Even without Mertesacker’s capabilities at set plays, they still scored their winner from a set play.

No European team has ever won in South America, and it’s easy to see why; the conditions, the traveling, the home support … but the Germans will never have a better opportunity to break that record.

I firmly believed that Colombia had the talent, desire and the capability of upsetting Brazil, and knocking them out. Ian Wright felt the same, and we were in agreement, that Colombia could exploit Brazil’s weaknesses at the back, and it was really disappointing that they failed to do it.

This is not a Brazil side to frighten the opposition, this is not a great Brazil side, and it won’t be one that will frighten Germany.

The Germans are the direct opposite to Brazil. Brazil are living on their emotions, Germany don’t show any emotion as they expect to be in the semi-finals, after all they’ve reached this stage for the last four tournaments.

They know how to get the job done.

PREDICTION: GERMANY TO REACH THE FINAL

32 sides have been whittled down to four in this year’s World Cup and never before has the competition been so close to call at this late stage.

William Hill cannot split the top two teams with Germany & Argentina offered at 5/2 with Brazil just outside at 11/4 and Holland are 10/3. The closest William Hill can find before that is the 2006 competition when Germany went into the semis as 13/8 favourites ahead of France at 2/1, Italy at 11/4 and Portugal at 6/1.

Back in 1966, West Germany were the 6/5 favourites with Portugal 2/1 and England all the way out at 9/4. (See * for all the odds since 1990)

“Never before have we ever had a World Cup that has had three favourites going into the semi finals – the closest we came was back in 2006,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly. “For the first time in a long time, it is easy to see any of the four remaining sides winning the tournament.”

Brazil started the tournament as the 3/1 favourites with Argentina and Germany just behind at 4/1 and 6/1. The Netherlands are the “surprise package” of the tournament having started at 28/1.

BET HERE ON BRAZIL V GERMANY

The public have already made their minds up on one of the semi final matches according to William Hill’s World Cup minisite, Bet Nation (http://worldcup.williamhill.com/). The hosts, Brazil are slight outsiders following the ruling out of the talismanic Neymar and just under two thirds of the British betting public (64%) think that Germany will be too strong for Brazil without their key man. Germany are 9/5 to win in 90 minutes and 5/6 to qualify.

In the second semi final, due to be played on Wednesday, it is a lot tighter with 42% backing Argentina, 40% backing the Netherlands and 18% backing the draw.

BET HERE ON HOLLAND V ARGENTINA

Will European Hoodoo Come Too An End? Odds On It Does Not!

It has widely been shouted throughout the duration of (and the build up to) the World Cup that no European side has ever won the World Cup in South America and the odds would suggest that that stat will remain come the end of the tournament – but only just. It is 8/11 that the World Cup will be won by a South American side and Even money that it is won by a European side.  

William Hill odds:

World Cup Final winner odds: 5/2 Germany; 5/2 Argentina; 5/2 Brazil; 10/3 Netherlands

90 minutes:

7/4 Brazil; 8/5 Germany; 9/4 draw

21/10 Holland; 7/5 Argentina; 21/10 draw

To qualify:

1/1 Brazil; 5/6 Germany

5/4 Netherlands; 8/13 Argentina

Winning confederation: 8/11 CONMEBOL (South America); 1/1 UEFA (Europe)

*World Cup winner odds through the years (at the semi final stage):

1966: 6/5 West Germany; 2/1 Portugal; 9/4 England; 4/1 Soviet Union

1990: 6/4 Argentina; 5/2 West Germany; 3/1 England; 9/2 Italy

1994: 5/6 Brazil; 2/1 Italy; 5/1 Sweden; 8/1 Bulgaria

1998: 13/8 Brazil; 15/8 France; 9/4 Holland; 11/1 Croatia

2002: 8/15 Brazil; 10/3 Germany; 13/2 South Korea; 8/1 Turkey

2006: 13/8 Germany; 2/1 France; 11/4 Italy; 6/1 Portugal

GERMANY vs FRANCE

I recall the infamous incident in the ‘82 World Cup when the German keeper Harald Schumacher catapulted French defender Patrick Battison up into the air, and should have been sent off.

I am sure France will be out for revenge, much in the same way as Algeria were out for revenge, but that sort of motivation is never quite enough.

I take the Germans to get through because of two key players: goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and goalscorer Thomas Muller, the latter of which is in fine form and going for the Golden Boot along with Miroslav Klose on the bench. Neuer played against Algeria as well as any of Germany’s greatest ever sweepers, Franz Beckenbauer and Lothar Matthaus!

The keeper has to play as a sweeper with the defence so square and high up the pitch, and with so much pace in the Algeria attack.

If you were ‘scouting’ Germany, the French will be doing their homework and think they could ‘do’ Neuer from the half way line.

But you would need Pele, who nearly scored from the half way line in the ‘70 World Cup, or a David Beckham. And I am not sure the French have one of them!

Up front Muller is so versatile, he can play in a variety of attacking positions and his movement is so good, but it’s his movement that impresses me the most. He is not a traditional No 9, he plays in between the centre halves, but is equally astute in playing between the centre half and the full backs. And he is always on the move.

Joachim Low also has alternatives on the bench. Chelsea’s Andre Schurrie and Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira affected the game when they came on against Algeria. Schurrie showed terrific skill for his goals, but the team still have problems and although Mesut Ozil scored late on, he seemed off the pace of the game.

I’m sure Algeria will be proud of what they achieved in this tournament, but it should have been no surprise as all their players are now in Europe and they are fit, but they came up against a team even fitter. The key to teams like Germany scrapping through is the calmness their players show inside the 18 yard box. That’s where the top players shine with their ability to keep cool when it matters.

Class will always show, but I imagine the German team got an old fashioned rollicking at half time against Algeria, and they will need to step up a gear to beat France.

Their coach has been in the job for an awful long time without delivering a trophy, which is unusual for Germany. Many think this might be their year.

But Germany will have to tighten up a little bit against France if they are to progress…

BRAZIL vs COLOMBIA

In what has turned out to be a fabulous tournament, my pick of the bunch of the quarter-final ties is this one. It has all the makings of a titanic battle.

The whole atmosphere here in Rio has changed with Brazil going through, with the home nation’s fans getting behind the team after so much aggro before the tournament started. It has taken a while but at last I can feel the World Cup fever - it’s growing and building up to what I had expected before I arrived – a few weeks ago all I saw was political protests and anti-World Cup feelings.

Brazil has now gone nuts - pardon the pun - and I am pleased for them, but they have not been impressive or convincing by any stretch! The pressure must be unbearable for Phil Scolari’s team, because not only do they have to win this tournament, they have to win it in a certain way.

But it’s tough for them, because although they appear to have a good defensive record, teams have been able to put Brazil on the back foot and I feel their defence will ultimately prove to be their Achilles Heel. In Dani Alves, Marcello and David Luiz they have three out of their four defenders who don’t defend! Or simply can’t defend!

Only Thiago Silva is a dedicated defender and he defends by instinct. Eventually they are going to be found out.

Maybe it will be Colombia who will do the finding out?

Big Phil Scolari has won the World Cup before and the whole nation needs him to deliver for the first time on home soil, but it’s a big ask, the pressures couldn’t possibly be more intense, and the team continue to rely on Neymar.

I like the way Colombia’s coach Jose Pekerman has galvanised the team even in the absence of their injured talisman, Radamel Falcao. But young James Rodriguez has stepped up to the plate and he is the discovery of this tournament, with the goal of the tournament so far. Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez likened him to Diego Maradona. Steady!!!

Colombia are a really, really good team, wanting to play the game in the right way, with a lovely balance between attack and defence.

For a country more comfortable with a ball in their hands rather than at their feet, the USA have surprised most football fans with their youthful and skilful play and have won an army of admirers along the way. It is apparent that football is becoming more and more popular on the other side of the Atlantic but how do football fans around the world think they will fare?

According to British bookmaker William Hill, just 26% of their punters think that USA will be able to defeat Belgium in their crucial World Cup last 16 match on Tuesday.    

They are 16/5 to win their match against Belgium with the Red Devils Evens and the draw 21/10. USA are 7/4 to qualify.

Whatever happens, the USA have continued their year-on-year improvements and William Hill are offering 25/1 that they win the World Cup by the end of the 2026 competition. It is 7/1 that any US international player wins the Champions League in the next three seasons.

“The US has produced a number of very good players however it could be argued that none have ever been world class,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly. “This World Cup run could spur some of the younger players on.”  

The USA are 80/1 to win the World Cup, a considerably shorter price than when the tournament started (they were 250/1) but still amongst the outsiders for ultimate glory.

World Cup winner: 3/1 Brazil; 4/1 Argentina; 4/1 Germany; 9/2 Holland; 8/1 France; 12/1 Colombia; 20/1 Belgium; 33/1 Costa Rica; 80/1 USA; 125/1 Switzerland; 200/1 Nigeria; 250/1 Algeria

25/1       USA to win the World Cup by the end of the 2026 tournament

7/1         Any USA international to win the Champions League within the next three years

ARGENTINA vs SWITZERLAND

Winner: Argentina.

I tipped Argentina before the tournament. Sergio Aguero is injured at the moment, but Lionel Messi is carrying the team, very much in the way that Brazil need Neymar to carry them through.

Messi needs to win this tournament to elevate his ranking above Diego Maradona.  The Maradona magic won the World Cup in ‘86 and I see similarities here.

I would love to see Maradona playing in this era, with perfect pitches instead of long grass rutted underneath, and the new rules that protect the attacking players - he would be unstoppable.  Well, he was virtually unstoppable in any case!

Argentina had a little genius in my time and they have a little genius now.

Wasn’t that impressed when ITV found the footage of me standing in front of Diego as the move developed for his infamous Hand of God goal though!   

I am sure my ITV ‘team-mate' Fabio Cannavaro would have made sure he wouldn’t have got past him, but I didn’t have enough Italian blood to kick him. Looking back I should have kicked him as that was the worst feeling I have ever experienced on a football pitch.

Some of our players didn’t see the handball, but I did and you can see in the footage I’ve come running up to the referee to protest along with Peter Shilton.  It was a sickening feeling, such an injustice

As you would expect I got plenty of stick about how I could have changed the source of history if I had managed to tackle him. As if anyone could tackle Diego when he was in that mood!

Now Messi is doing the same job for Argentina, carrying the team, and if those around him can improve then I think they have every chance of winning out here in Brazil.

Messi’s been exceptional.  My word he has changed the game, and the way he put two goals together in his last game showed that he can drive Argentina over the line.

It was evident that when Messi came off after 62 minutes in their last game against Mexico Argentina looked a very ordinary side.  His free kick goal was outstanding, to get the ball up and then down with such pace was a wonderful skill.  

Di Maria looked sharp with a good first touch, and all good players follow in as Messi scored his first after three minutes, and you could see the emotions we so high, he wants it badly, and I have always felt that he has been looking over his should at this World Cup for some time, which might have been the reason he hit a sluggish run of form for Barcelona.

Again, like Brazil, they have deficiencies in defence, but it is the Messi magic that is masking those so far.  It was too easy for Nigeria to get at their back four, and set pieces might prove their down fall.

Argentina have gone up one gear though, but they need to go up three or four gears, and if anything happened to Messi they would be so ordinary as to have little chance of progressing to the Final. They’ll have too much for the Swiss…

BELGIUM vs USA

Winner: Belgium

The big players have turned up at this tournament, and they are having an impact on their teams.

I went for Argentina to win here in Brazil, and the way it’s taking shape I feel they are replicating what happened when I played in the World Cup in 86, when I felt Argentina was a very average team, with a couple of good players and one genius - Diego Maradona.

Watching Argentina in the Maracana for their first game, and then the other night, it’s a replica of 86, a very ordinary team but one genius - Lionel Messi. He’s not even playing at the top level as yet, he did play well against Bosnia, in fact he was awful in the first half especially giving the ball away virtually all the time. He has produced one moment of magic in each of Argentina’s two games and bagged himself two goals. When he is around or the other nations have one of their top players on fire, then the game can slip away from you.

Eden Hazard did it for Belgium against Russia, setting up the winner in the last minute with a lovely ball cut inside.

The USA have peaked too early for my money, and I can only see Belgium going through today along with Argentina, to set up a series of mouth-watering quarter finals.

I picked out Belgium as my dark horses for this World Cup and can now see them going through to the last eight.

The big players are producing, so tonight it’s the turn of Hazard to raise his game to the level of the likes of Messi, Neymar, Robben - for all his diving he is still a wonderful world class player - and Muller for Germany.

When I look at Messi I see a player who has been focused on this tournament for some time. The timing in his career is interesting, as he has not done it in the World Cup before yet comes into the tournament on the back of a lacklustre, injury hit season. Just wait until he starts to hit his top form!

TONIGHT: GERMANY V. ALGERIA

Winners: Germany

Algeria will be seeking revenge for the way West Germany and Austria played out a game to ensure they both qualified and that Algeria were eliminated in 1982, in one of the most infamous matches in World Cup history.

But it’s only human nature and while the whole episode has been quite rightly condemned, I was asked whether I had ever been involved in something similar - and I had.

Southampton were going up as champions but Spurs needed one point for promotion in the last game of the season.

We were drawing 0-0 with 15 minutes to go and no one from that moment got in front of the ball, everyone was behind the ball.

Southampton had already got what they needed and we got what we wanted.

Of course as a consequence of what happened between West Germany and Austria, the rules were changed so that all the group games were played at the same time to avoid such a stand-off to suit both teams.

Tonight, though, I see nothing but a German win.

FRANCE V. NIGERIA

Winners: France

I have absolutely no idea how Nigeria ended up in the round of 16, and I certainly haven’t seen enough evidence that they can topple France.

The African nation I thought would make a big impact in this World Cup was Ivory Coast.  But they were making mistakes you were more used to seeing from African teams back in the 70s.   Right at the end of the game where they could have got through their group Yaya Toure was going for goal, and for someone of his vast experience that really surprised me when he should have gone to the corner flag to play out time, but the excitement got to him.  He should have known better.

It reminded me of the time that David Ginola was savaged for trying to go for goal with a cross right at the end of a game, when he should have held the ball in the corner, and it ended up with the opposition scoring and France going out of the tournament.

------------------------

If I wasn’t here in Rio, I would be following Wimbledon and Andy Murray’s defence of his title.  I love tennis.   If I hadn’t taken up football, I might have been tempted to try my hand as a tennis professional.

I had the chance to choose tennis when I was 15, playing for Essex, and I was encouraged to go down that route.

But it was football, football, football for me.  Yet, maybe if I hadn’t made the grade at football, I would have taken up tennis.

The Last 16 game that catches my eye is the hosts up against Chile, who for me have been the outstanding ‘dark horse’ of this tournament.

I have a hunch it is going to be close.  Although I still think Brazil will edge it, I am deeply concerned about them and how far they might eventually go in this tournament.

Chile will be a huge test, not the easy ride it might seem.   They might just be worth a bet, although it will be a very close run thing.  

It’s not just that Chile have been red hot - pardon the pun - but that Brazil have relied far too much on just one player - Neymar.

So far big name players such as Hulk, Oscar and Paulinho have not turned up.  Fred has been average and Paulinho has been poor.  They have finished with Chelsea’s Willian in their team, and I think they might now start with him.

As for the defence.  There isn’t one!   Alves, Marcelo and David Luiz all love to attack, and none of those three know how to defend!  Three of the back four aren’t defenders.   Thiago Silva is their real defender, and his defensive style is instinctive.

That’s why I think Chile will run them close in this first knock out game, and Brazil frailties at the back will be test properly for the first time.

Chile are cute, and in Alexis they have a great talent who might this summer end up signing for a Premier League club.

Overall I think that Brazil are inconsistent and unpredictable, while my only concern about Chile is that maybe they have peaked too early.  But they are going to prove a difficult hurdle for Brazil.

There won’t be much in it.

Luis Suarez should be banned from football for life if he ever bites an opponent again.

He needs help and this FIFA ban is fine as far as it goes. But first he needs to know that he needs to get help – or  if he repeats it he will never play football again. 

He needs to get help out of fear, if you like because has done it three times now! The possibility of a life time ban will scare him more than anything else, more than any fine, more than even this ban from the World Cup.  He needs to activate a process of getting help.

To help himself, he needs to know his entire career is now on the line, that there’s nowhere in the world he can play if he ever repeats it.