Thirty-two teams began World Cup 2014 with lofty dreams of lifting the famous trophy in Brazil come July 13. Now, though, just four will remain after Day 24's action as the last semi-final berths are decided.
Germany and Brazil booked their respective places in the last four on Day 23, thanks to narrow victories against France and Colombia, respectively, and it's now up to Argentina, Belgium, Netherlands and Costa Rica to attempt to follow suit.
We've seen some quite remarkable matches and stories unfold in this year's tournament, and with the climax now within sight, let's hope that the drama continues.
Matchups
Home Win Odds
Draw Odds
Away Win Odds
Prediction
Argentina vs. Begium
57-50
23-10
3-1
1-0
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica
53/100
321-100
165-25
2-0
OddsShark
B/R
Argentina vs. Belgium
Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press
Kicking Day 24 off are two sides that have been heavily backed to go all the way in Brazil. Argentina and Belgium haven't quite got going between them, though, and they both require a big step up in Brasilia.
However, one man who just needs to keep doing what he's been doing is Lionel Messi, who's been his usual, sensational self in Brazil.
Manu Fernandez/Associated Press
With four goals and an assist, Messi has proved to be the difference in all of Argentina's fixtures so far and has finally taken his club form to the international stage—impressing former England striker Gary Lineker in the process:
I can't think of another man that excites me quite as much as Messi does.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 25, 2014
The Barcelona star is bound to be the difference in the Brazilian capital once again, but Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen believes that his side can handle the threat of the 27-year-old—reported by FIFA.com:
"I think Messi has been outstanding so far in this tournament. He has been their main man. But if we defend like we did in our previous matches we will stop him, (Sergio) Aguero, (Angel) Di Maria and (Gonzalo) Higuain. I'm convinced of that."
Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press
The Belgians have kept three clean sheets in normal time in their four World Cup matches so far, and one more could see them progress to the semi-finals for just the second time in their history.
However, the task of silencing Messi for the duration is one that borders impossibility, and the maestro may once again have the last laugh for Argentina.
It's bound to be another tight match that could go either way, but with Messi firing on all cylinders, the Argentinians have a slender advantage.
Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Belgium
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
The next stop on Costa Rica's remarkable journey is Salvador, where the Central Americans take on Netherlands for a place in the last four.
Jorge Luis Pinto's side have come into every World Cup match as underdogs, but they've risen to the occasion and are now just 90 minutes away from the semi-finals.
No one expected the Costa Ricans to perform so admirably, least of all Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton, who found them taking the lead against Uruguay in their opening match rather humorous:
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