Europe thrashes South America

Those who backed South American sides after the first group stage at the World Cup now see their hopes for the continent lie with its sole representative in the semi-finals - Uruguay. No one expected that Brazil and Argentina would fall to the Dutch and the Germans respectively in the last eight.
There was nothing accidental about Holland and Germany's wins - they outplayed their rivals and deserved to send Dunga and Maradona's men home from South Africa. In fact, little-fancied Paraguay came closer to the last four- if they have converted a second-half spot-kick they could have really tested the Spanish.

Of course Uruguay needed some good fortune to make the semis - Ghana missing the penalty that would have given them мictory in the very last second of the match. Uruguay then held its nerve to triumph in a penalty shootout.

Despite a slow star, the World Cup has seen some tremendous matches, eventually living up to the fans' expectations. There has also been controversy, with Uruguay's Suarez using his hand to stop the would be winner.

Three penalty kicks were crucial in Spain - Paraguay. The Paraguayans were the first to get the chance to score, but Cardoso failed to outwit Casillas. In a counterattack, a penalty kick was given o Spain, but Xabi Alonso had to retake it after the ref spotted some encroachment. He failed to score the second time.

Having confidently conducted the group stage of the championship and gained the status of favorites, the two South American teams lost in the quarterfinals, losing to their rivals, especially in tactics.
Dunga and Maradona who were the great footballers in the past, lost to their colleagues from the Netherlands and Germany. The Brazilians, having opened the scoring, failed to exploit their success, and eventually made several bad errors in defense and missed two chances.
As for Argentina, Germany managed to stifle Messi and 4-0 was even quite kind on the totally outplayed South American side.

Georgy Saralidze. Exclusively for VK