In World Cup semi-final action, Argentina is battling the Netherlands for a spot in the championship game.

Dutch-captain Robin van Persie is questionable Wednesday after stomach problems.  Football (soccer) superstar Lionel Messi will lead Argentina in Sao Paulo.

The Dutch finished second at the World Cup in South Africa four years ago.

Germany overpowers Brazil

In the Cup's first semifinal match up Tuesday in Belo Horizonte, Germany gave one of the most breathtaking displays of offensive firepower in tournament history - demolishing host Brazil in the semifinals 7-1, to advance to the finals.  

German Miroslav Klose followed up his own shot for a brilliant goal less than 25 minutes in to take the all-time World Cup scoring record with 16 goals.  The record books changed again at game's end, as Germany's goal total was the most ever by a team in a World Cup semifinal.

Germany's Toni Kroos and Andre Schuerrle were each one goal away from a hat trick.  

Brazil played without captain Thiago Silva and star striker Neymar.  Silva was serving an automatic one-game suspension after receiving his second yellow card of the tournament in the quarterfinal game against Colombia.  Neymar, who scored four goals in the tournament, was out with a fractured vertebra.

Brazil was hoping for a repeat of its performance in the 1962 World Cup.  That year, legendary Brazilian Pele suffered an injury in the second match that prevented him from playing in the rest of the tournament.  But Brazil went on to beat Czechoslovakia in the final, 3-1.  

The semifinal winners meet for the championship in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.  The losers play for third place on Saturday in Brasilia. [Read More]

—–
Source: VOA News: War and Conflict