Germany met unexpected challenges from Algeria before two extra-time goals from Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil sent the three-time champions into a ninth successive FIFA World Cup quarterfinals here Monday.
A Paul Pogba header in the 79th mimute and a Joseph Yobo own goal gave France a 2-0 victory over Nigeria and earned the European side a berth in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals here Monday.
Both the Netherlands and 10-men Costa Rica reached the World Cup quarterfinals in a way that stunned the football world.
Colombian James Rodriguez is the leading scorer with five goals in the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA has opened an investigation into an alleged bust up between a Chile player and a Brazilian team official in the players' tunnel during half-time in Saturday's pre-quarterfinal match that the hosts won via penalties.
It was just sheer coincidence that the infamous World Cup Group D clash between Italy and Uruguay in the Brazilian city of Natal became a FIFA case study for referees' instructors.