Welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage from the 25th day of the World Cup.
We will be bringing you all of the reaction to last night's quarter-finals, which saw Argentina and the Netherlands progress to the last four.
There will also be all the latest gossip and injury news from Brazil.
Good afternoon! There is just one week to go until the final of the World Cup in Brazil, and the quarter-finals are now complete, so we know that Brazil, Argentina, Germany or the Netherlands will be lifting the cup next Sunday.
Let's take a look at some of the headlines from this morning:
Krul reveals he 'psyched out' Costa Rica before penalties
Zuniga apologises for Neymar challenge
Kahn hails "world's best" Neuer
Costa Rica's run at the World Cup came to an end last night when they were beaten 4-3 in a penalty shootout against the Netherlands. The team came into the tournament as underdogs in their group, but managed to finish top of the standings in Group D, before beating Greece on spot kicks in the round of 16. Coach Jorge Luis Pinto believes that his team has presented a "dignified" image of Costa Rican football during their matches in Brazil.
Argentina are celebrating making the last four after beating Belgium in their quarter-final yesterday. However, they may be without Angel di Maria in their semi-final after the midfielder was injured in the first half last night. He's due to undergo tests today to determine whether or not he will be available for their next match.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
After Di Maria was forced off, Benfica midfielder Enzo Perez took his place, making his first World Cup appearance. The 28-year-old admitted that it was a "dream come true" to play at the tournament, although he was sorry to see his teammate injured.
One player who will miss the semi-finals is Neymar, as he suffered a fractured vertabra during Brazil's 2-1 win over Colombia in the last eight. The team's doctor, Jose Luis Runco has been speaking about the injury, admitting that it was hard to tell the 22-year-old about the injury:
"I didn't even give the kid the chance to ask me. I broke the news and it was hard to see him crying profusely when told he was out of the competition. He only calmed down when I reasoned with him that as 22-year old footballer his professional life still has a lot to offer.
"He should be in action in 40 to 45 days. Nothing prevents him from watching the games if he feels comfortable. In the absence of a better word, this has been a good injury because it won't leave any further problems for him despite the violence with which he was hit on the back by the opposition players.
"I have seen a lot of bad tackles going around and I am under the impression that referees been oriented to avoid cautioning players as much as possible. The images we sent to FIFA clearly show the Colombian player jumping with his knee at 90 degrees and no intention whatsoever to play the ball."
The Netherlands made the unusual decision last night to bring goalkeeper Tim Krul on in the last minute of extra time specifically for their penalty shootout against Costa Rica. It worked well for the Dutch, as the Newcastle United keeper kept out two spot kicks to see his team through 4-3. Teammate Dirk Kuyt says that the stopper was "amazing".
Looking ahead to the semi-finals, host nation Brazil will take on Germany in Belo Horizonte next week. The Germans have been struggling with a bout of flu affecting the squad. While most players are now over their symptoms, defender Per Mertesacker missed yesterday's training with the illness.
With just the semi-finals, the third-placed playoff, and the final still to come, some pundits are starting to pick out their moments of the tournament. Two-time World Cup winning striker Ronaldo has picked out his goal of the tournament, selecting Tim Cahill's volley for Australia during their 3-2 defeat to the Netherlands in the group stages.
Chelsea midfielder Willian has been tipped to start in place of the injured Neymar in Brazil's semi-final against Germany next week. However, Willian has had an injury scare himself, having been forced out of the yesterday's training session with a back problem.
Neymar's injury continues to be one of the big talking points of the World Cup. Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari has revealed that the striker lost the feeling in his legs as a result of the collision with Juan Zuniga that left him with a fractured vertabra.
Former England defender Nigel Winterburn has had his say on the Tim Krul substitution that helped the Netherlands progress to the last four at the World Cup. The ex left-back believes that the move was a "sensational decision" by Dutch manager Louis van Gaal.
Well that's all from me this afternoon, but Daniel Lewis is here for the next four hours to keep you up to date with all the latest developments and gossip from Brazil, while our live updates will continue through until 10pm, so plenty to stick around for.
Thanks Sian! We are now left with four sides who will battle it out for a place in the 2014 World Cup final. One of those remaining, the Netherlands, required a penalty shootout to get there, but winger Arjen Robben insists that opponents Costa Rica reverted to 'rugby tackling' during last night's game.
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Incredibly, despite leading Germany to the semi-finals of the World Cup - their fourth-successive appearance at that stage of the competition - manager Joachim Low has come under fire regarding certain tactical decisions. However, former West Germany player Gunter Netzer has claimed that the former Stuttgart coach deserves huge praise for his achievements to date in Brazil.
The much opinionated Stan Collymore has questioned England's passion for succeeding at a major tournament. The Three Lions bowed out of the World Cup at the group stage of the showpiece event, and Collymore says that he would like to see England's players show similar passion to that of Brazil's.
It seems like every former player - Brazilian or otherwise - has had a say on Neymar's world Cup-ending injury. Raul is the latest to give his views, claiming that the tournament hosts will now be "half the force".
On the pitch this has been one of the greatest World Cups in memory, off the field things couldn't be more different, however. Former Brazil striker Romario has called for organisers to hold on inquest following the tournament, saying: "Things didn't happen the way they should have. We've had problems, a lot not seen by the public or international media and the tournament isn't going to be the best of all time.
"I don't want to make things bad but we need to have a post-tournament inquest. You saw the Confederations Cup protests last year, which showed the problems in Brazilian society, but now, with the success of the World Cup, all these problems, the excessive spending and corruption has been pushed to the background."
Brazil face Germany on Tuesday night with a place in the World Cup final up for grabs. They will of course be without Neymar - I'm sure you've heard - but Thiago Silva will also miss out after picking up a second yellow card of the tournament against Colombia last week. The Selecao have this afternoon decided to appeal against the ban. Read more on the story here.
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The 2014 World Cup has so far seen some incredible contests throughout. The venues have also been largely filled to capacity, which explains why this year's tournament has become the second highest attended World Cup of all time. Read more here.
The group stages of the World Cup seem like an age away now as we enter the semi-finals, but many of those who fell at the first hurdle departed with their managers following the disappointment.
One of those sides, Ivory Coast, are in the hunt for a new coach after saying goodbye to Sabri Lamouchi. Giovanni Trapattoni claimed last week that he was the front-runner to take over at the African nation, and a report claims that a decision on the role will be made by the end of the month.
Brazil defender Marcelo has reportedly opted to stay with his teammates at their World Cup camp despite news that his grandfather had passed away. The defender was said to be extremely close to his late family member, and they even share the same tattoo of a Beetle on their arm.
More on Neymar's injury now, with Brazil legend Ronaldo warning Germany not to underestimate the hosts following the loss of their key man. In fact, the former striker believes that Brazil remain favourites to win the tournament. Read his strong views here.
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Argentina booked their spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup yesterday for the first time since 1990. Now La Albiceleste are hungry for success, with the talismanic Lionel Messi saying that his side "want more".
You'd think that Germany's players would be feeling a little more confident heading into their semi-final meeting with Brazil on Tuesday following news that Neymar will miss the remainder of the World Cup, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger believes that the tournament hosts will now become more united following the unfortunate injury picked up by their star man.
Meanwhile, Philipp Lahm said of the injury: "Neymar is a sensational player who has shown his class at the World Cup... you always want to measure yourself against the best that is why I would prefer Brazil played with Neymar."
And with that my four-hour stint comes to an end. I'll now leave you in the hands of Shane Callaghan who will take you through until 7pm. Shane...
Cheers Daniel! No fixtures this evening ladies and gentlemen, but we do have plenty of World Cup-related news to get through so stay tuned!
Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has warned Brazil over their tough tackling ahead of Tuesday's World Cup semi-final. The host nation booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 win over Colombia in what proved a feisty encounter in Fortaleza on Friday.
Willian has played down fears over his fitness ahead of Tuesday's semi-final encounter with Germany. The Chelsea ace, who is tipped to replace Neymar in the first XI, suffered a back injury in training on Saturday, but the player himself claims to be "feeling great".
Oliver Kahn has warned Brazil that they will be facing the world's finest goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer ahead of Tuesday's clash with Germany. The Bayern Munich shot-stopper has earned rave reviews for his World Cup performances thus far, helping Joachim Low's into the semi-finals where the host nation await.
Willian has admitted that it will be difficult for Brazil to beat Germany in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final without the services of talisman Neymar. The 22-year-old was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a back injury in the latter stages of Friday's 2-1 win over Colombia.
Former Argentina striker Diego Milito has warned his compatriots to be wary of the "devastating" qualities of Netherlands attacker Arjen Robben. Both nations are poised to contest a mouth-watering World Cup semi-final clash in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
Brazil midfielder Bernard is confident that the Selecao boast enough quality in their ranks to minimise the effects of losing talisman Neymar to injury. The Barcelona starlet saw his World Cup cut short in Friday's 2-1 win over Colombia following a challenge by Juan Camilo Zuniga.
Vincent Kompany has insisted that the future is still bright for Belgium following Saturday's World Cup exit. Marc Wilmots's side bowed out at the quarter-final stage following a 1-0 defeat to Argentina, but Kompany is convinced that future campaigns will prove more fruitful as a result of the experience.
Tim Krul has insisted that gamesmanship is apart of football after his perceived mind games won the Netherlands a World Cup semi-final place.Krul was the hero as the Newcastle United goalkeeper saved two penalties in Saturday's dramatic shootout victory over Costa Rica, and admits using underhand tactics to do so.
Sami Khedira has played down suggestions that Germany will go into Tuesday's World Cup semi-final clash with Brazil as favourites due to Neymar's absence. The 22-year-old, who struck four goals in the competition, will play no further part after suffering a back injury in Friday's 2-1 defeat to Colombia.
Well, that's about all we've got time for tonight ladies and gentlemen. Tomorrow is another day, and it's one day closer to the first semi-final between Brazil and Germany - preview for which can he found here. See you tomorrow. Goodnight and god bless.
