The semi-final stage of the 2014 Football World Cup will begin late tomorrow night. Hosts Brazil will clash with Germany at Belo Horizonte, while Argentina will take on the Netherlands at S?o Paulo late on Wednesday. All India Radio will broadcast live commentary on both the matches. It can be heard on FM Rainbow, Rajdhani and national channel. The final of the World Cup will take place at Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night, with the match for the third place scheduled for the day before at Bras?lia.
Before the long-awaited start, there were talks that this could, by far, be the best World Cup since 1930. It, arguably, has been. Birth of so many new stars, and crashing of some old ones, has perhaps been the main feature of this World Cup, of course, besides 159 goals scored up til now and some controversies. James Rodriguez is the player whose name is doing the rounds these days. With 6 goals from 5 games, the extra-ordinary 22-year old Colombian midfielder is at the top of the goal scoring charts. Costa Ricans — Ruiz and Gonzalez — have also been brilliant in this World Cup, which has also seen some exceptional goal keeping. Costa Rica keeper Keilor Navas, who almost got his team past the Dutch, had the highest save-to-shot ratio of 87.5 per cent. Besides, Mexican Guillermo Ochoa and Nigeria's Enyeama have also made name for a sensational performance under the bar. Tim Howard, quite a known name, also made the presence felt. Unfortunately out Neymar, Messi, Muller, Van Persie, Robben, Benzema, Griezmann, these are the names that do not need any introduction, and, as expected, they have been brilliant. However, Ronaldo, Iniesta, Xavi, Gerrard and Hazard are some of the big names that have disappointed this time. As the final two stages remain in this World Cup, onus will surely be on Messi, Muller, Robben and Van Persie, is there a not-so-famous someone who will help his team lift that Gold Cup.