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| Obviously New Zealand won't be winning it all, as they did in my World Cup 2014, but who will? |
Joseph's Final 8: Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, Belgium
Joe's Final 8: "Brasil", England, France, Germany, Chile, Italy, Argentina, Ghana
Now on to the rest of the picks!
Quarterfinals
Joseph:Brazil vs. Colombia
These two have only played one over the last four years, a 1-1 draw in the United States, so despite their geographic proximity we have only guess work to predict this one. Colombia has the type of goalie, in David Ospina, who can be vital in pulling of an upset but with Radamel Falcao out their own attack will have trouble penetrating Brazil's defenses.
Brazil 1, Colombia 0
France vs. Germany
These two have played two friendlies, one each on home soil, since the last World Cup & both ended in 2-1 German victories. With Ozil & Mueller controlling the middle of the pitch, & a host of talent across the entire field, there's little reason to believe this game will go differently.
Germany 2, France 1
Spain vs. Uruguay
These two played a year ago in the Confederations Cup & it ended in a 2-1 Spanish victory. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise if that result repeated but Spain feels like the most vulnerable of the big four to me & I could see them losing a nail biter.
Uruguay 2, Spain 2 (PKs)
Argentina vs. Belgium
We've previously covered how Belgium, who hasn't played Argentina since 1986, is a well rounded team with talent throughout & an elite goalie so I wouldn't count them out against anyone. That said between Di Maria, Messi, Aguero, & Higuain Argentina is all but impossible to contain.
Argentina 3, Belgium 1
Joe:
"Brasil" vs. England
England's national animal is the bulldog, "Brasil's" is the jaguar. We all love bulldogs but they can barely breathe let alone fight a jaguar to the death.
"Brasil" 3, England 1
France vs. Germany
Each of these countries loves eagle iconography. The French with their French Imperial Eagle & the Germans with the Black Eagle. While one of these was inspired by an egotistical midget the other ended up being used in conduction with swastikas, & that shit's just unacceptable.
France 2, Germany 1
Chile vs. Italy
Chileans like to make empanadas. Obviously I respect the hell out of that because empanadas are delicious, plus you vary what you fill them with. But if we're talking food only Mexico can keep up with Italy. Pasta & pizza alone are trump cards against nearly every nation on earth.
Italy 1, Chile 0
Argentina vs. Ghana
W.E.B. Du Bois, the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard, co-founder of the NAACP, & all around bad-ass, was friends with the first Ghanaian president & would eventually become a Ghanaian citizen, dying there in 1963. Did Du Bois ever get to visit Argentina? No, probably because they were racists.
Ghana 2, Argentina 2 (PKs)
Semifinals
Joseph:Brazil vs. Germany
Germany won a friendly, played in Germany, 3-2 back in 2011 but Brazil hasn't lost on home soil since 2002, & hasn't lost a game of consequence in Brazil since 1975. Germany's work is cut out for them to say the least. However as big of an advantage home soil grants Brazil it also leads to added pressure throughout the tournament & so when these teams meet I expect the Germans, who are one of the few that can match Brazil's talent, to be playing much freer.
Germany 3, Brazil 2
Uruguay vs. Argentina
In the two World Cup qualifiers these two played leading up to this tournament each came away with a victory on home soil. Uruguay's victory was a narrow 3-2 win, meanwhile Argentina demolished the Uruguayans at home 3-0. Uruguay already punched above their own class in beating Spain, they won't be able to do it again.
Argentina 3, Uruguay 1
Joe:
"Brasil" vs. France
If you google "famous French people" you don't reach a footballer until the fifth picture, though you do see a number of beautiful women first. Search "famous Brazilian people" & boom! Ronaldo's right there at #1, with the beautiful women commencing shortly thereafter. Clearly "Brasil" is more focused on soccer, generally I'd say that's a bad thing but for this competition it has to be good.
"Brasil" 4, France 2
Italy vs. Ghana
Both of these countries fought wars against Britain, & both lost. Italy was able to hold out for roughly four years, what about the African tribes in present day Ghana? Oh, only 100 years! You can't trust Italians when the going gets tough, but clearly Ghanaians aren't afraid of a fight.
Ghana 2, Italy 0
THE FINAL!
Joseph:
Germany vs. Argentina
The one guarantee with this final is that it would be tremendously entertaining. Or maybe not, Germany did eliminate Argentina 4-0 in the last World Cup. Since then the two have matched up just once, a 3-1 Argentinian victory in Germany. I'd expect those result to even out granting us a historically great final, & if that's to happen we may as well have a victor who makes history.
Germany 3, Argentina 2
Joe:
"Brasil" vs. Ghana
"Brasil" comes from a native tree called "pau-brasil" that natives used to make red paint. "Ghana" means Warrior King. You can take the favorites if you want, but me, I'm riding with the Warrior Kings!
Ghana all the goals, "Brasil" crushing defeat
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