Four teams are through to the World Cup semi-finals and they got there via four very close games. Hosts Brazil are continuing their fairytale journey, and their hopes of winning the tournament at home in front of their soccer-crazy fans. They could be in trouble in their semi-final match-up with Germany as they will be without their captain Thiago Silva and their star player Neymar, who is out of the tournament after a terrible back injury in the 2-1 defeat of Colombia. Some of Germany's players played with flu as they beat France 1-0. The French team created many chances but failed to score.

Lionel Messi was the star of Argentina's 1-0 victory over Belgium. He provided a master class in precision passing, dribbling and creating space. Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella said Messi gives his team "water in the desert" when they are struggling. The Belgian team's "golden generation" did not show what they were capable of and offered little in front of goal. Belgian coach Marc Wilmots said Argentina is an "ordinary" team. The last quarter-final between the Netherlands and Costa Rica was a close game with few chances that went to extra time. Holland won 4-3 on penalties.