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First ever semifinal sweep looms at World Cup |
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A first ever South American semifinal sweep could unfold at the World Cup in South Africa if Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay all win their quarterfinals.
However, European powers Spain, Germany and Netherlands and lone African survivor Ghana are out to make sure that doesn't happen.
Four multiple World Cup winners and four who have never captured the title have made it to the quarterfinals and two of the matchups, Argentina versus Germany and Netherlands against Brazil are worthy of the final itself.
In the other quarterfinals, two-time World Cup winner Uruguay face Ghana and Paraguay take on European champions Spain.
Argentina and Germany met in back-to-back finals in 1986 and 1990.
Germany ousted Argentina in the quarterfinals at the last World Cup, winning a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Berlin.
Friday's Brazil-Netherlands game in Port Elizabeth brings together the five-time winning Brazilians against a country, which has never won football's biggest prize, but was runner-up twice in the 1970s.
The winner faces either Uruguay or Ghana in the semifinals in Cape Town on Friday, July 6.
Spain and Paraguay took the last two places in the quarterfinals yesterday and the winner will face either Argentina or Germany in the semifinals in Durban on Saturday, July 7.
Spain survived a stern test from Portugal in Cape Town to book their place in the quarterfinals through David Villa’s goal.
Paraguay booked their place earlier by beating Japan 5-3 in a penalty shootout In Pretoria , after a goalless draw at the end of full and extra time.
The quarterfinals will be played on Friday and Saturday.
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