Phil Minshull: Europe's best shine in South Africa

How things have changed in barely a week.

As the 16 teams lined up for the second round in South Africa, the debate was about why the European nations were struggling.

Now, with three teams from Europe in the semi-finals and the distinct possibility of an all-European final, the question appears to be: why are the top European teams doing so well?

The Mill

Tuesday's Rumours

Brazil Sack Dunga

The coach and his staff were fired Sunday, two days after Brazil was beaten by the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals.

2010 FIFA World Cup: The Quarterfinals

Netherlands 2 - 1 Brazil
Richard Williams at the Nelson Mandela Stadium
Chris Bevan at the Nelson Mandela Stadium
Amy Lawrence: Dunga with little defense after defeat
Mick McCarthy: Brazil myth unravels
Player Ratings

Uruguay 1 - 1 Ghana (4-2)
Paul Wilson at Soccer City
Paul Fletcher at Soccer City
Luis Suárez new World Cup villian
Player Ratings

Argentina 0 - 4 Germany
Dominic Fifield at Green Point Stadium
Chris Bevan at Green Point Stadium
Kevin McCarra: Low sends Messi to superstar scrapheap
Defensive frailties finally exposed
Player Ratings

Spain 1 - 0 Paraguay
Paul Wilson at Ellis Park
Paul Fletcher at Ellis Park
Player Ratings

Richard Williams: The method in Diego Maradona's madness

Diego Maradona was close to dying in 2004 but now his clever man-management can lead Argentina to a third World Cup.

The Joy of Six: World Cup Refereeing Controversies

Crowds regularly question referees' parentage – here are six World Cup occasions when they may have had a point.

The Mill

Friday's Rumours

Friday MLS Forecast

The Forecast discusses the annual June-July purge before unveiling its Week 14 selections.

Manchester City sign Yaya Toure from Barcelona

The 28-year-old finalised his move to Eastlands this week following the end of his country's involvement in the World Cup.

The signing is City's second of the week following the capture of David Silva from Valencia and unites Toure with his brother Kolo, the club's captain.

2010 FIFA World Cup: Quarterfinal Previews

Friday
Netherlands vs. Brazil (10am EDT)
Preview I
Preview II
Preview III
Team News
Hirshey: It's worthy of a final

Ghana vs. Uruguay (2:30pm EDT)
Preview I
Preview II
Edwards: Black Stars' potential moment of history
Unfancied Uruguay eye history


Saturday
Germany vs. Argentina (10am EDT)
Preview I
Preview II
Messi vows to win for Oasis

Paraguay vs. Spain (2:30pm EDT)
Preview I
Preview II

SSN Official Prediction: Argentina vs. Germany

Maradona takes a swing at Desmond Tutu, Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann land on the pitch via helicopter, jump out and start tazering Argentine players, Tevez whips out an M-16 A1 with a M-203 grenade launcher a la Tony Montana and fires indiscriminately around the stadium, Heinze and Schweinsteiger endlessly poke each other in the chest saying, "no, YOU started it," Lahm and Agüero try to prove that dwarfs can fight too, Jonás Gutiérrez and Demichelis try to enter the fray but get wrapped up in each others hair, Beckenbauer is roundly ignored while standing at the center circle yelling, "Stop! Stop I say! I am Der Kaiser!", David Hasselhoff staggers in shitfaced and demands to see a menu, and Joachim Löw and Lionel Messi sneak away for a tender moment together amidst the mayhem...

Bill Simmons: Soccer is ready to capture our attention

Am I really posting a 4,500-word soccer column on the same day all hell is breaking loose for the biggest NBA summer ever? You're damn right I am! I'm tired of wondering where LeBron, Wade, Nowitzki and everyone else will land. I'm even more tired of people reporting about things that might happen, could happen or seem likely to happen. Just tell me when they happen. Thanks. In the meantime, let's play 20 Questions with the 2010 World Cup.

Diego Maradona Mocks Bastian Schweinsteiger In A German Accent

'El Pelusa' then faced directly into the camera and in his best imitation of a Teutonic accent posed the question to the German: "What's the matter Schweinsteiger? Are you nervoushh?"

Arsenal unveil environmentally-friendly retro new home kit

Arsene Wenger's side will return to the familiar and popular block red body with a white round neck collar and white sleeves, and every shirt is made entirely from recycled polyester crafted from up to eight plastic water bottles as part of Nike's 'Considered Design' programme.

Jeff Bradley: Previewing the Quarterfinals

We're getting down to the business end of the tournament, with the quarterfinals set to kick off on Friday. Here's everything you need to know about each match.

ERIC CANTONA TO JOIN DOCTOR WHO AS AN EVIL ALIEN

The former Manchester United star is being lined up for a role as an evil alien alongside Time Lord Matt Smith.

Tim Vickery: When the Dutch led the way

But the really important contest - the one whose repercussions continue to ripple through the game - was the meeting in West Germany in 1974. In what was effectively a semi-final, the Netherlands won 2-0 while a frustrated Brazil, the reigning world champions, resorted to a full repertoire of rugby tackles and body checks.

The Mill

Thursday's Rumours

Sean Ingle: South America boosted by travel, hard work … and luck

South American teams have players based in Europe and a tough qualifying competition but an easy draw never hurts.

Paul Hayward: Ghana primed for one giant leap into World Cup aristocracy

The Black Stars carry Africa's hopes as the World Cup's powerhouses gather their stride towards the final.