Argentina, Netherlands set up semi final clash

Argentina defeated Belgium 1-0 courtesy a Higuain super strike in the 5th minute of their quarter final match in Brazil.

The lone goal separated both sides and sent the Belgians packing from the competition.

Netherland on the other hand had it tough with Costa Rica in a goalless encounter which lasted 12 minutes and their overwhelming onslaught had to be decided in the penalty shootout.

Coach Van Gaal introduced Tim Krul just before the penalties and he proved to be the hero on the night after he saved two penalties.

World Cup: Holland late come back edge Mexico, Costa Rica beat Greece on penalties

Two late goals from Sneijder and Klass Huntelaar helped Holland defeat Mexico in the round of 16 match on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Mexico took the lead through Giovanni Dos Santos in the 65th minute while the Netherlands had to wait till dying minutes of the match to rally back and win the match which saw them through to the Quarter final of the World Cup in Brazil.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica and Greece had to settle for penalty shootout after finishing 1-1 on regulation time.

Costa Rica scored through Captain Bryan Ruiz and were later reduced to 10 men after Oscar Duarte was sent off for for a challenge. The Greeks rallied back into the game to send the match into extra time and then penalties to be decided.

It could be recalled that Costa Rica shocked Uruguay, Italy and shared points with England in the Group stage.

Round of 16: Brazil to play Chile, Holland face Mexico

Neymar was the closure of all eyes as Brazil took Cameroon to the cleaners beating the Africans 4-1 in the last Group A game on Monday night which confirmed the host as the leader of the Group.

The Barcelona star grabbed a brace in the encounter to increase his goal tally in the tournament to four.

In the other Group game Mexico defeated Croatia to also confirm a place in the next round and will be facing Group B leaders Holland.

Chile also qualified from Group B and have set a date the the host nation Brazil in an all south American affair.

Half-fit Suarez sinks England with a brace

England are on the brink of elimination after losing to Uruguay 1-2 in their second match of Group D.

Uruguay forward Luis Suarez scored twice while Wayne Rooney grabbed England's only goal in the match.

Meanwhile this is the first time England will lose their first two matches in a world cup campaign.

What this victory means for Uruguay is that hope of reaching the second round has been rekindled as they face Italy in the last Group game, both with 3pts along with Costa Rica while England sit at the bottom.

Earlier, Colombia defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 to go top of group C with six points joining Netherland and Chile as teams to have made it to the next round of the World Cup.

Spain, Australia crash out of World Cup

Defending champions Spain have been eliminated from the on-going World Cup in Brazil after they were beaten by Chile 2-0 on Wednesday in the second group B match.

The Europeans couldn't curtail the South Americans who proved to be much of a handful.

Spain however becomes the first defending champion to have lost the first two games and be eliminated from the most glamorous football festival.

In another development, Socceroos of Australia have also been eliminated after losing their second match to Netherland in a competitive affair which ended 2-3 in favour of the Dutch.

Australia's top scorer Tim Cahill also grabbed a sensational goal which qualifies for the tournament's best at the moment.

What's left of the group is mere formality between Australia and Spain while the Netherlands will tackle Chile tot ascertain who tops the group.

Adios Spana

Tim Cahill's goal of the tournament so far against Netherland (Video)

Coutesy: YouTube

Spain humiliated! One, Two, Three, Four....

It was an unbelievable and humiliating night for title holders Spain as they fell 1-5 to Netherlands in Group B World Cup opener.

Spain went ahead after Diego Costa was brought down in a controversial tackle to earn a penalty which  was well converted by Xabi Alonso. But Robin Van Persie had a better plans for the Dutch as he levelled before the stroke of half time.

Expectedly, Spain was better in terms of possession in the first half but that obviously didn't worry the Dutch side.

Eight minutes into the second half Arjen Robben came up with a piece of magic to put his side ahead and before long, Stefan De Vrij headed home to extend the lead.

To make the night worse for the Spaniards, Casillas gifted RVP with a pass who delighted took his chance while Robben added the icing on the cake with a mesmerizing display infant of goal to make it five.

BREAKING: Van Der Vaart Injured! Out of World Cup

Netherland's Rafael Van Der Vaart has been ruled out of World Cup after picking up a calf injury in training on Tuesday.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is one of the key players tipped to lead the 23-man squad to Brazil 2014 in few weeks but with the turn out of events, he will not recover until after the tournament.

Currently with Hamburger SV, Van Der Vaart 31 saw action in the 2006 and the 2010 World Cup.