David Luiz Leads Defenders' Fightback

Neymar may be the poster boy of this Brazilian World Cup but the reasons for the hosts’ presence in Friday’s quarter-final against Colombia can be found further back in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s lineup – and the latest Castrol Index ranking reflects this.

It was Tostao, the 1970 World Cup winner-turned-journalist, who wrote in his daily column after the tense penalty shoot-out triumph over Chile that “the stand-outs for Brazil were Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Julio Cesar” and Scolari’s two centre-halves both feature in the top ten along with Neymar.

World Cup Favorites Stumble On

THE DAY REPLAYED - The Round of 16 has concluded without a single upset, and with Argentina and Belgium having ensured that all eight group winners advanced. Yet while the list of quarter-finalists might adhere to expectations, the manner in which they secured their spots has been anything but straightforward.

Indeed, of all the teams through, only Colombia can claim to have been truly convincing, with the others more relieved than overjoyed. Argentina certainly continued that trend today, toiling against Switzerland until Lionel Messi laid on a 118th-minute winner for Angel Di Maria. And extra time was also required to settle a thrilling match between Begium and USA that somehow made it to 90 minutes without either team having scored. And while the Americans, and Tim Howard in particular, were heroic in defeat, Les Diables Rouges hung on to a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

We Are On The Mission: Robben

“I wouldn’t swap Robben for any player in the world. He's having an amazing World Cup."

As tributes go, Dirk Kuyt's ranks among the most glowing of Brazil 2014. And while fans of Messi, Neymar or Ronaldo may quibble with the Dutch veteran's opening statement, his latter is inarguable.

By any reckoning, Robben has been one of the outstanding players of this FIFA World Cup™. Any adjective short of 'amazing' would sell short performances that, throughout, have inspired and propelled the Netherlands.

KESHI: Nigeria Can Still Improve

Despite advancing to the round of 16 at the World Cup, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was not completely pleased with his team's performance in a 3-2 defeat to Nigeria on Wednesday.

Argentina struck twice through Lionel Messi in the first half, and though Nigeria responded with quick equalisers after both goals, Keshi said the Super Eagles deferred too much to one of the teams favoured to win the tournament.