Yesterday FIFA announced the rankings of the 32 teams that competed in South Africa and England were placed 12th so quite how they’ve managed to climb UP the overall rankings is a mystery – but then, the FIFA way of ranking teams has always been a mystery to me, even when I’ve read up on how they do it!

Less surprising is Spain’s new ranking as the best team in the world – they are World and European champions, that’s a no-brainer! Holland have risen to second place, pushing Brazil down to third in the table, their lowest ranking in quite some time.

New Zealand have deservedly risen the most places – 24 places to 54th – after remaining the only unbeaten side in the World Cup. Uruguay rose 10 places to sixth following their fantastic campaign, while deposed world champions Italy dropped six places and out of the top 10 to 11th.

Here’s the revised top ten:

1. Spain
2. Holland
3. Brazil
4. Germany
5. Argentina
6. Uruguay
7. England
8. Portugal
9. Egypt
10. Chile

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In match winner Andres Iniesta and the incomparable Xavi they have the best midfield duo in the world, more than ably spearheaded by David Villa, so often the team’s hero in this tournament.

The Dutch, on the other hand, have been criticised, quite unfairly I think, for being too defensive, too negative and not holding true to their Total Football roots.

They have adjusted their style under Bert van Marwijk, yes, but they have had to. Total football has won them little and I don;t think it’s very fair to criticise a side that has made necessary changes to try and win the big one. They have still been entertaining, if in a less skilful manner than we’re used to.

Last night was a different story though. Last night they went from solid to cynical in the face of Spain’s superior passing ability. Mark van Bommel was lucky to still be on the pitch at half time after a series of dangerous tackles, not least on Iniesta, but it was Nigel de Jong’s studs up kick to the chest of Xabi Alonso that really deserved a red card.

Holland have subsequently blamed England’s World Cup final representative Howard Webb for the way he refereed the match but for me that’s just sour grapes. Yes, he showed a record 14 yellow cards and one red – to centre back John Heitinga for a a second bookable offence – but the Dutch left him with little choice as he tried hard to keep things reaching boiling point.

That’s not to say Webb didn’t make mistakes, he did, but in the face of Holland’s wild challenges and the occasional act of retaliation from Spain I thought he did a good job under very difficult circumstances. For me, he (and his team) can look back on his season with pride having taken charge of both the Champions League final and the World Cup final and acquitted himself well in both.

Back to the good stuff, what little of it there was. Arjen Robben was excellent throughout the game, creating or being on the end of all Holland’s chances. The most notable chance fell to him after a brilliant pass from the unusually subdued Wesley Sneijder sent him clean through on Casillas. His shot was well saved by the Spanish keeper with his foot, however.

Spain’s passing was again good to watch but the Dutch, bad challenges aside, were doing a cracking job of pressuring the ball and making sure they weren’t, as many commentators have described it, “passed to death”.

Not at any point did Spain panic though, having complete confidence in themselves, their ability and their tactics. After 90 minutes with the score still at 0-0 you did get the sense that it was only a matter of time before Spain got their breakthrough. That it took until the 116th minute is a credit to Holland.

When it did come it underlined Spain’s superior football. Fabregas, on for Xabi Alonso in the 87th minutes as Spain looked for more attacking options, found himself in space on the edge of the 18 yard box. His ball into the box found Iniesta who had started the move from his own half only seconds earlier.

The midfielder’s first touch to control the ball was excellent and the finish past Mark Stekelenburg was of equal quality. He was booked for removing his shirt to reveal a tribute to Dani Jarque who died during pre-season training in Italy last year. A price worth paying, both for the goal and the message – “Dani Jarque is always with us”. Check it out.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0uFy23vR3s[/youtube]

At the other end of the pitch Iker Casillas was having a blinder, saving well from Robben three times, while Stekelenburg also had a good game, though he could do nothing about Iniesta’s winning goal.

Overall it was a poor game but that wasn’t Spain’s fault, it was Holland’s. Their tactics were spot on, spoiling the Spanish passing all night, but the over the top tackles ruined it and inevitably cost  them when they went down to ten men. From there on there was only going to be one winner and so it proved. Thoroughly deserved, Spain are now reigning world and European champions.

Holland can take heart however, they are a much improved side and will challenge for the European Championship in Poland and the Ukraine in 2012, as will a young and improving Germany. And who knows, maybe even a resurgent England? Nah…

The third place play off was a much better game, as I suggested it might be, Germany finally winning it 3-2 with an 82nd minute goal from Sami Khedira. Despite taking the lead in the 18th minute via tournament Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller, Germany found themselves 2-1 down after 51 minutes as Uruguay looked to end their impressive tournament on a high, scoring through Cavani and player of the tournament Diego Forlan.

Jansen equalised for Germany before Khedira’s late winner. It was tough on Uruguay but like Spain in the final, Germany were the better side overall in this match and deserved their third place. They are going to be one hell of a side in a couple of years and I’m tipping them now to lift the European Championships.

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The promising thing is, both teams have players with worthwhile achievements within reach.

Uruguay have Diego Forlan looking to win the Golden Boot. He currently has four goals, one behind David Villa and Wesley Sneijder, both of which will compete in the final. Forlan will be hopeful of grabbing two or three goals to make it especially difficult for those two.

Unfortunately for Forlan, Germany have Miroslav Klose, also on four goals, also vying for the Golden Boot and, perhaps more importantly, looking to beat the great Ronaldo’s 15 goal record in World Cup finals.

That is, of course, assuming that both players are fit. Klose is struggling with a bad back and Forlan has a thigh injury to overcome. The game needs both players, so fingers crossed on that one.

Personal glory aside, the match itself pits an attacking force in Uruguay against a counter attacking Germany and should produce a lot of goals. I certainly hope so, as I see the World Cup final between Spain and Holland being a tight affair, won by a single goal. So if this World Cup is to go out in style, it is relying on the play off.

Uruguay will welcome back Luis Suarez (himself not out of the race for the Golden Boot just yet) to partner Forlan, increasing their potency. Germany will be boosted by the return of Thomas Muller from suspension as well – many think if he had played against Spain it would be them in the final. I wouldn’t go that far, but they would certainly have offered more up front.

Head to Head: History says Germany will win this. In nine matches between the two, they’ve won six, drawn two and lost only one – the first meeting between the sides in…wait for it…1928!

Prediction: I can’t see any other winner than Germany, though I would love Uruguay to end their brilliant campaign on a high. 3-1 to the Germans.

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Holland’s 3-2 victory over Uruguay was deserved, but their usual ‘cool’, evident in every match in this tournament to this point, abandoned them towards the end as Uruguay applied pressure, desperate themselves to reach the final.

Goals came first from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a delightful screamer from 35 yards out wide on the left, then an equaliser from Diego Forlan, equally spectacular from distance. We settled in for what we hoped would be a classic, but it didn’t happen. The Dutch were finding Uruguay difficult to break down and without Sneijder and Robben could have lost this.

But in those two Holland have match winners. Both scored within three minutes of each other to give the Dutch a seemingly unassailable 3-1 lead with 17 minutes left. Uruguay tried hard, pressing and unnerving their opposition, even scoring a late, late goal through Pereira, but Holland hung on to reach their first World Cup final since 1978.

Spain beat Germany through a surprising source, Carlos Puyol heading home a Xavi corner with venom, but were again below their own high standards and Germany will rue defending so deep as with more pressure they might have wont this.

Germany’s success so far has come from the counter attack, breaking on opponents quickly, but they got no such opportunity against Spain and were slowly pushed back by the Spanish passing game, though they allowed very few actually chances.

What made this game so intriguing was the battle between Spain’s clearly superior passing ability and Germany’s discipline and shape. In the end, it was the passing that won out, as Spain threatened more and more, especially in the second half and the breakthrough via Puyol with 17 minutes left was deserved.

Seriously, if Germany had pressed for victory themselves instead of looking for the counter attack they could have won this but once again Spain’s patience paid off and they have the opportunity to win their first World Cup on Sunday.

I’m shockingly bad at predictions but I’ll give it another go in my World Cup Final preview over the weekend. I’ll say now, though, that I am anticipating a very good final.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwZcHNxu3Nw[/youtube]

Giovanni van Bronckhorst scores a beauty from 35 yards to give Holland the lead against Uruguay

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKz2rRt0H4Q[/youtube]

Diego Forlan equalises in slightly less spectacular fashion – but still good!

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Enough about them, though. The four teams we are left with have earned every right to be there. Holland, through their newly discovered unity coupled to their not-quite-but-close-enough Total Football. Germany through their ever present self belief and attacking prowess. Spain through their patience and precision passing. And finally Uruguay through their combination of pace and attacking power.

Now they face off for the right to play in the final and I have to tell you, making a prediction is not easy. I ballsed up the quarter finals, but I’m not one to give up, so I’ll give it a go.

Uruguay v Holland

It would be far too easy to say it’s Holland in the final, especially given the manner in which they dismissed Brazil and the fact that Uruguay are without their goal machine and quarter final hero (or villain, if you’re from Ghana) Luis Suarez.

You cannot discount a Uruguayan team that not only boasts Diego Forlan, but surely now has a belief that they are destined to reach the final after the remarkable events in their quarter final. God, if there is one, is smiling down on the only remaining South American side in the competition.

God, however, does not play football. The Dutch do and they do it brilliantly. As long as there is a fit and healthy Wesley Sneijder on the pitch, the Almighty had better pray to himself on Uruguay’s behalf.

As much as I would like to see the two time world champions back in the final for the first time since Jesus rolled back a rock and declared himself resurrected, Uruguay will find Holland a tad less moveable.

Head to Head: It’s all square on the international stage between these two with a win apiece. The most recent result went in favour of Uruguay in 1980, a 2-0 win on home soil.

Prediction: Without Suarez and with no disrespect to Forlan, I can’t see Uruguay scoring. 2-0 to the Netherlands.

Germany v Spain

Oh so much harder to call. On performances alone in this World Cup your money has to go on Germany. Spain have passed and passed and passed but struggled, for the most part to turn that into goals, goals, goals. No such trouble for Germany, three time four-goal scorers already, including that quarter final blitz of Argentina.

And yet Spain’s advancement in South Africa has been relentless. They…always…find…a…way. Usually through David Villa, it has to be said, as the usually effervescent Fernando Torres has been woefully disappointing. It will be interesting to see if he starts against Germany. Quite how long you can carry a dead weight, even one such as Torres, before realising that he’s holding you back, I don’t know, but Vicente del Bosque has stuck with his man this far.

He can’t ignore the impact Cesc Fabregas had when coming on against Paraguay and the clamour to play him back home must surely be mounting. Cesc, however, has a shoulder injury to overcome first.

Germany on the hand need only find a suitable replacement for the suspended Thomas Muller. Not an easy task, but the German squad is a strong one. Hamburg’s Trochowski replaced him for the last few minutes against Argentina, he could be the man to do it again.

Otherwise, it’s as you were for the Germans. Schweinsteiger and Ozil will pull the strings, Klose and Podolski will try to hit the onion bag. I must point out here that I usually know the name of the German defence during an international tournament – not so this time, I have to look them up. Just goes to show what changes have been made by Loew, eh. (It’s Friedrich, Lahm, Mertesacker and Boateng, in case you have had the same trouble as me!)

None of this is helping me get to a result though. If Spain click, and they’ve been getting very close, they will play the ball round Germany all day long. If not, Germany will simply steamroller them.

Head to Head: 20 times they’ve faced each other and it’s tight (so no help there for the prediction!). Spain have won six times, Germany eight with six draws.

Prediction: Oh, alright…I pick Germany to win by the odd goal. 2-1. There. I’ve said it. And it makes for a very tasty Dutch / German final too!

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Four South American sides – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached the quarter finals but only one remains. Uruguay overcame Ghana in dramatic circumstances, but Argentina were blitzed by the Germans, Brazil were outplayed by the Dutch and Paraguay were undone, like so many before them, by David Villa and Spain.

I must start with the Paraguay versus Ghana game and, of course, Luis Suarez. So much has been written and said about Suarez’s hand ball to deny Ghana what would have been a winning goal in the dying seconds, did he cheat, is he a hero, should he receive further punishment than the one game he’ll get for the red card?

With the game at 1-1 with only seconds left in extra time, Ghana launched one last attack. Stephen Appiah’s effort was blocked legally by Suarez’s thigh, but the follow up effort from Adiyiah he was forced to keep out with his hands. The referee had no choice but to blow for the penalty and issue a red card.

So did Suarez cheat? Yes, clearly he did. He denied Ghana the winning goal with his hands.

But he was punished with the red card and Ghana were given the chance to win the game again with a penalty. That they missed, Gyan putting it just over the bar, is not Suarez’s fault. You can understand Ghana’s reaction, frustration must be high after they went on to lose the penalty shoot out, but to aim that frustration and anger at Suarez is wrong.

We all would have done the same. Whether through choice or simple reaction, we all would have done the same. Quite simply, he took one for the team and it worked.

Is he a hero? To any Uruguayan, yes he is. To some neutrals (including me) yes he is. To Ghana, of course not. I remember Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bringing down Newcastle’s Rob Lee as he swept past him, clean through on goal. Had he gone on and scored, that season’s title battle would perhaps have gone Newcastle’s way. Solskjaer was rightly sent off, Newcastle fans were up in arms but to Manchester United fans he is remembered as much for that as he is his Champions League winning goal in 1999. Sometimes, this is how heroes are made.

That there have been calls for Fifa to extend his ban – and they apparently did consider it before ruling it out – is ridiculous. The circumstances and timing of his offence have made this a much bigger story than it would have been had he committed his crime halfway through the first half, for example.

You cannot alter punishments for circumstance in football. Suarez and Uruguay received theirs during the game, there is no law, precedent or reason to take it further.

We all feel sorry for Ghana, bidding to be the first African nation to make it to the semi finals, indeed, they will have been many people’s preferred winner. But they aren’t and that is not down to Suarez. Uruguay won the penalty shoot out 4-2. Let’s move on.

Germany’s young side continue to impress and no-one would have been expecting the lesson they gave Maradona’s Argentina. For the third time in this World Cup they scored four goals as Argentina’s defensive weaknesses were ruthlessly exploited. What is more surprising is their lack of potency going forward. Lionel Messi was a virtual bystander as Germany’s defence coped just fine with him, Higuain and Tevez.

For me, this was the shock of the semi finals – not that Germany won, but that they won so easily. Inspired by Schweinsteiger, they tore through Argentina, scoring Thomas Muller after just three minutes. Miroslav Klose got two as he moved closer to winning the Golden Boot and within one goal of Ronaldo’s all time World Cup finals record of 15 goals. Full back Friedrich bagged the other.

For a period in the second half it looked like Argentina might find a way back into the game as they found possession easier to come by, but Klose scored on 67 minutes to end their hopes. Germany reasserted control and Maradona was left clutching in vain at his rosemary beads as his World Cup dreams were torn apart.

One blow for Germany is that Thomas Muller picked up a second yellow card of the tournament and will miss the semis. Muller has been outstanding and they will miss him.

Brazil’s exit came at the hands of the Dutch as their famously dodgy defence, seemingly repaired by Dunga, returned at just the wrong time.

Brazil actually took the lead in the 10th minute with a goal that England fans would recognise more than Brazil’s would. Julio Cesar punted the ball forward, Melo passed it on, splitting the Dutch central defence and Robinho ran to slot coolly past Stekelenburg. Route One all the way!

Despite Holland’s attempts to get back into the game, Dunga’s new Brazil stood firm, restricting the Dutch to just a few efforts. They could have had more goals themselves were it not for the Dutch keeper, saving well from Kaka and Maicon. Quite what happened in the Brazilian dressing room at half time, I don’t know, but that defensive solidity all but vanished in the second half.

A nightmare mix up between Cesar and Melo following a Sneijder free kick saw them collide with the ball bouncing off the defender’s head and into the back of the net. The Dutch were back in it and their new found unity paid dividends as they one again punctured the Brazilian defence.

Robben’s corner was flicked on by Kuyt for the highly impressive Sneijder to head home what turned out to be the winning goal. Holland have always been undermined by internal rifts but at this World Cup they have played as a team with a common goal – winning it. On this evidence, they just might.

Pre-tournament favourites Spain continue to progress despite playing well below the standards they set in winning the European Championships in 2008. They struggled to open up a stubborn and well drilled Portuguese defence in the previous round and in Paraguay they faced the same problem.

However, Paraguay, who made six changes from the team that beat Japan on penalties, were determined to offer more going forward than the Portuguese and the plan almost worked.

The game itself was not the thriller the other three ties were, but did include moments of high drama. On 57 minutes Paraguay were awarded a penalty when Pique brought down Cardozo. Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal was up to the task, however, saving his ideally heighted penalty.

Less than three minutes later Spain were awarded a penalty when Villa was fouled in the Paraguayan box. Xabi Alonso scored easily but the referee ordered a retake as Spanish players encroached into the area. Villar saved Alonso’s second effort and the match remained 0-0 with 30 minutes left.

Spain’s patience is becoming legendary. They just don’t panic, they continue to play their own unique game of passing and moving. So far it has been well rewarded and they must thank their talisman David Villa. He was on hand again to rescue his side and end Paraguay’s hopes.

The goal itself was dramatic, as his effort hit one post, rolled along the goal line, hit the other before ending up in the back of the net.

Should Spain win this World Cup they should honour Villa somehow – without him, they’d have been out a long time ago. But they continue to improve by small steps with each match. Torres, incidentally, doesn’t…

The semi finals look like this:

• Argentina v Germany
• Uruguay v Spain

I will, of course, post a preview with predictions tomorrow, but if you’re a betting man, I’d go with the opposite! We could have a Germany Holland final, however – that would be interesting…

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Gratuitous

Holland v Brazil

History tells us this should be a fantastic match to watch, pitting Dutch Total Football against Brazilian flair and explosiveness. This tournament tells a different story, however. Both sides are here to win and they have gone about it in a manner which doesn’t fit their reputations.

Defensively sound, prepared to fight, happy to sacrifice flair for victory if they need to. That’s not to say this will be a backs to the wall, all hands on deck dogfight though. They both boast skilful players capable of brilliance and they have both shown they can mix their new-found pragmatic approach with their more recognisable traditions of attacking football when they so choose.

In Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the Dutch have both the vision and the firepower to destroy any side. The Brazilians, with Luis Fabiano, Kaka and Robinho have much the same. That both have built a solid defensive foundation behind them is to their credit, rather than a slur on their respective histories.

Head to Head: In World Cups it’s one win a piece and a draw, which Brazil won on penalties in 1998. Overall it’s 3-2 to Brazil and four draws over nine games.

Prediction: Brazil’s experience to see them squeeze past the Dutch into the semi finals by one goal. 2-1.

The South American influence on this World Cup cannot be ignored and Uruguay themselves should not be dismissed either, especially after earning one of the easiest routes to at least the semi finals. Disappointingly, Ghana are the only African side left in the competition despite hope that this would be an African World Cup.

The Black Stars have made it through with grit and determination, a sharp contrast to Uruguay’s skilful, quick-passing, goal scoring exploits. I’ve been mightily impressed with them, especially Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. Ghana have Asamoah Gyan, of course, who, with three goals to his name already, represents the focal point of all the Africans do and you simply cannot discount the threat he brings.

That said, the former two time world champions from Uruguay should be just that bit more wily than their opponents who looking to make their mark on the world stage by becoming the first African nation to make the last eight of a World Cup.

Head to Head: There is none. They’ve never met before at senior level!

Prediction: I just get the feeling the Black Stars will have trouble getting hold of the ball in this one and Uruguay’s strike force will continue to be potent. 2-0.

Insanity versus Pragmatism. Irresistible Force versus Immovable Object. Whatever you want to call this one, it’s an intriguing match up as Maradona’s talent packed squad meets Loew’s well drilled unit. It is unfair to suggest that Germany don’t have talent themselves or that Argentina don’t know how to defend, however.

Lucas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Mesut Ozil – all more than capable of providing the Germans with a victory here. Walter Samuel, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Mascherano – all more than capable of stopping them.

Nevertheless, the focus will be on Lionel Messi, should he play, and what magic he can conjure up for himself and his team mates.

This really should be the tie of the round and you’d be a fool to miss it.

Head to Head: At the World Cup Germany lead (and the English will love the irony…) 5-1, Argentina’s only victory the 1986 World Cup final. A good one to win though, eh.

Prediction: Tight. Probably tight. But cracking to watch. 1-0 to Argentina.

The fourth team from South America to make the quarter finals is, I’m sorry to say, the weakest and in Spain they have one of the three strongest teams in the competition to try and overcome.

That said, Spain have yet to hit the heights they did in the 2008 European Championships, have yet to quite click. They are still one of the best around and have recovered well from that stalemate with Switzerland at the start of the competition.

Paraguay, on the other hand, are playing at their peak, defensively sound and doing just enough so far, including a creditable draw with Italy. A 0-0 draw against Japan – in which Japan were the major attackers – ended in victory via penalties so they have mental strength to go with their defensive capabilities.

But let’s face it, they won’t be able to live with Spain and don’t have the firepower to trouble them. Torres may be way off the pace for Spain but Villa is on fire, more than ably supported by the Xavi / Iniesta combination.

Head to Head: Spain lead 1-0 in both World Cup competition and overall, the only other two games ended 0-0. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen…

Prediction: Spain are slowly but surely getting their act together, but showed against Portugal that they can be blunted, something Paraguay do so well. 2-0 Spain, too much firepower.

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But let’s not ignore Ghana’s victory over the USA. Ghana were the only African nation left in the competition and they remain there thanks to Gyan’s extra time winner, becoming only the third African team to reach the quarter finals after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.

It was too close to call between the USA and Ghana before the match but as soon as it kicked off it was all Ghana as they overpowered their opponents in midfield and up front, scoring as early as the 5th minute through Kevin-Prince Boateng. The whole of the first half was dominated by the Black Stars, the USA finding no answer to the power of the Africans.

It got so bad that, with only 30 minutes gone, Bob Bradley decided to substitute Ricardo Clark (who was at fault for Ghana’s opener) and replace him with Edu. The USA still struggled to retain possession and were grateful to be only one goal down at half time.

Bizarrely, the dominance of Ghana from the first half was absent in the second and the USA began to get a foothold in the game, strengthened by Landon Donovan’s equaliser from the penalty spot on 62 minutes. Jonathan Mensah brought down a determined Clint Dempsey in the box leaving the referee with no option but to award the spot kick, which Donovan put in off the post.

Neither side could find a winner in normal time and when extra time began Ghana seemed to have re-found their belief and desire. It was duly rewarded with Gyan’s goal just three minutes into the extra period and, despite a late surge by the USA, they held on to qualify for the quarter finals.

The better match of the day, however, was that between Uruguay and South Korea. Were it not for Luis Suarez we would now have South Korea in the quarter finals, I’m sure. Once Suarez had scored after just eight minutes almost all the attacking threat came from South Korea, as Uruguay camped in their own half.

It was a surprising way for the South Americans to act, but they clearly felt they could hold out for the remaining 82 minutes. As it turned out they couldn’t. Lee Chung-Yong nodded home a poor clearance to equalise. Uruguay were stung into action and, with only 10 minutes left scored through Suarez again.

The goal, as I’ve said, was the best in the tournament so far and deserved to win any game.

This report is a little late…England have already crashed out 4-1 to Germany and Argentina have beaten Mexico 3-1. But more on that morning when this blogger has had time to reflect on a disastrous tournament for his home nation…

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH7niw1Clhw[/youtube]

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