DUTCH KEEPER SHOCKED BY KRUL TWIST
Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has admitted his "surprise" at being substituted in the dying seconds of Holland's quarter final clash with Costa Rica on Saturday. The Ajax keeper, who's never saved a penalty in his senior career, was replaced by spot-kick specialist Tim Krul moments before Saturday's quarter-final went to penalties. "I didn't know it would happen, so it was a bit of a surprise and I was a bit angry", said Cillessen. Despite the late withdrawal Cillessen is expected to retain his place for Holland's semi-final against Argentina.
COLOMBIA GET A HEROES' WELCOME
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Columbia's World Cup squad returned to a hero's welcome in Bogota as thousands of fans lined the streets to congratulate them on reaching the quarter-finals. Jose Pekerman's side were eliminated from the tournament on Friday, losing 2-1 to Brazil in Fortaleza, but reaching the last eight represents a tournament-best for the country and supporters were keen to show their appreciation. In a scenes that looked more like they'd won the World Cup, Los Cafeteros were shuttled around the capital in an open-top bus.
FAREWELL HAM-EZ RODRIGUEZ
Colombia's exit may be mourned by some but it at least brings down the curtain on the row over the pronunciation of James Rodriguez's first name. ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley insisted on calling him 'Jaimz', but opinion in the BBC studion were split, and during the corporation's coverage of the match against Brazil he was variously referred to as 'Jaimz', 'Jah-mez' and 'Ham-ez' by the pundits and commentators. For the record, Rodriguez himself pronounces it Ham-ez.
WHERE ARE THE NUMBER NINES?
The World Cup in Brazil may have served up plenty of goals (at least until the quarter-finals), but they are not being scored in the traditional way. After the latest round of games Alan Shearer and Tony Cascarino, both burly sentre forwards, have lamented the absence of old-school number nines at the tournament. "Things could not be more different to the World Cups I watched when I was a boy," sighs Shearer on the BBC. Strikers nowadays are "tricky" rather than "big" notes Cascarino of Sky Sports.
DI MARIA OUT OF SEMI-FINAL
Argentina will be without striker Angel Di Maria for the World Cup semi-final against Holland on Wednesday after he was ruled out with a thigh strain sustained in the quarter-final against Belgium. Di Maria, who scored the winner against Switzerland in the round of 16 clash last week, should be available for the final if his side get through. There is better news for the Albiceleste, however, as Manchester City star Sergio Aguero will be fit for the game and can replace Di Maria.
BRAZIL APPEAL SILVA YELLOW CARD
With Neymar out of the tournament Brazil have another headache with Thiago Silva suspended for the semi-final against Germany on Tuesday after he was booked in the win over Colombia on Friday. But while Neymar's race is run, the hosts have appealed against Silva's yellow card, awarded for blocking Colombian keeper David Ospina's goal kick, in the hope he will be given a reprieve. "Brazil's chances of a successful appeal appear limited as, historically, only red cards have been rescinded," notes the BBC.
MEXICAN REF GETS BRAZIL SEMI FINAL
Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez, the man who missed Luis Suarez's bite Giorgio Chiellini two weeks ago in Natal, has been chosen by Fifa to officiate Tuesday's semi-final between Germany and Brazil. Rodriguez presided over two games in the group phase, Uruguay vs Italy and Belgium vs Algeria, in which he awarded six yellow cards and a single red. Yet despite being involved in three World Cup finals, Tuesday's game in Belo Horizonte will be the first time Rodriguez has officiated a game in the knock-out stage of any tournament.
