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Well, I'm sad to say (not) that I'm going on vacation and probably won't pay attention until the semi-finals again. I know, bad planning. So here's my advance picks for the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.
Brazil - Chile
As talented as Chile has looked this is home turf. It's going to be close and I'm guessing extra time or even penalties, but the football spirits will smile on Brazil. Brazil finally starts to look like the smothering defense as advertised.
Brazil 2 - 1
Colombia - Uruguay
Well now that Suarez is out and we saw how Uruguay looked without him this should almost be a free pass for Colombia. Almost as nothing is certain.
Colombia 3-0
Netherlands - Mexico
This is going to be close. Mexico's stiffling defense will be tough for Netherlands, but their counter-attacking is first rate and enough to seal the victory.
Netherlands 2 - 1
France - Nigeria
Playing their real lineup, they look like France.
France 3 - 1
Costa Rica - Greece
Costa Rica has played well, but Greece is just that team that finds a way to do as much as they need. I wouldn't be surprised at a Greece victory and it's a shame that Costa Rica got this team to play in the round of sixteen. I see this going to penalty kicks.
Greece 1 - 0
Argentina - Switzerland
Argentina's defense has looked bad, Switzerland's defense has looked bad. This is going to be close, but I think we'll see yet another Messi moment.
Argentina 3 - 2
Germany - whomever
Clinical Germany with defense and counter-attack. It's not even close.
Germany 3 - 1
Belgium - USA
Belgium haven't looked that good and it bodes well for the USA. Except they haven't looked good because they haven't had to.
Belgium 3 - 1
Quarterfinals
Brazil - Colombia
Too bad Brazil. Colombia is devastating to the home team. Brazil looks ineffectual on offense and the defense doesn't hold up.
Colombia 3 - 0
Netherlands - Greece
Netherlands make Greece pay for too many penalties.
Netherlands 2 - 0
Argentina - Belgium
Belgium plays better defense.
Belgium 1- 0
Germany - France
What probably should have been the final in an ideal world, but it is what it is. France is the real deal.
France 2 - 1
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