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Day 23 in 100 words or less It was a day for central defenders and set-piece goals. Time to go through the motions and squeeze out a victory had passed. It was a day for the serious World Cup contenders to step up and show us what they had. Brazil and Germany, with eight World Cups between them, did just that and now meet each other in Tuesdays semifinal. Germany 1-0 France Twenty years ago next week Germany were almost there. Just after 1:30pm in the afternoon, inside the blistering heat of Giants Stadium, New Jersey, the Germans led 1-0 in a World Cup quarterfinal against Bulgaria with 15 minutes left in the match. The reigning World Champions were about to become the first ever country to reach four straight World Cup semifinals. Bulgaria suddenly scored two goals in three minutes and in a New York minute the Germans were going home. The football world was stunned. No one since has made the final four of the World Cup four times in a row. Until today. Fittingly, it was Germany again, playing on another hot afternoon, and up a goal on their opponents. This time, though, there was no meltdown in the heat. Joachim Lows team havent been near their best in Brazil since a blistering opening 30 minutes against Portugal but this was their best showing since that showing in Salvador 18 days ago. It was a statement of intent from Lows side. A statement that they can win games in such a manner. "You are not only the best side in the world, you are the best side I have ever seen." That is what Low said to Xavi after Spain had defeated his German team in the semifinal four years ago. Spain won 1-0 that day, through a headed goal, scored by a centre-back from a set-piece. Low, then, will surely have been thinking about that when his team beat France the same way. Goalscorer Mats Hummels had a wonderful match. He would have been man of the match even if Germanys goal had been scored by someone else. Behind him, Manuel Neuer, earning his 50th cap, was also impressive again, making two outstanding saves, with one denying Karim Benzema in the final moments. Philipp Lahm at right back wasnt anywhere near his best but his positioning made sense for the collective balance of the side. Thats because it allowed Sami Khedira to come into midfield and he made a big difference. The Real Madrid man is clearly still not at his peak after a long layoff through injury but his penetrating runs into space makes Germany more flexible in attack and, subsequently, harder to defend against. With Thomas Muller still a menace in attack, either on the right or central, all of this means Low is building a side with a strong spine. You do not need to have 11 players all at the top of their game to win a World Cup. This is good news for Mesut Ozil and whoever plays alongside him and Muller. Ozil is clearly struggling inside this system but with other players excelling it is not as vital. Lows mind will be full of exceptional memories of Ozil performing brilliantly at the last two major tournaments. He remains good at spatial awareness and in possession when given outlets close by. However, he is far from at his best and his reputation as a player who needs a lot of love shows he is incredibly low on confidence. He is, however, like all of his teammates, just two wins away from being a world champion. France go home with their heads held high and will be a force on home soil at Euro 2016. The Champions League has been a wonderful stage for many to show they can compete at a high level, while Ligue 1 continues to produce some sensational young players not even seen in Brazil. For those who were in Brazil, this tournament, unlike the past two, will have provided them a lot of good lessons in cohesion both on and off the field. Didier Deschamps deserves a lot of credit for turning Les Bleus into a team their nation loves once again, just nine months after many couldnt stand them anymore. Brazil 2-1 Colombia Where do we start? Here is what we DO know: Brazil scored two goals via set pieces and now have only scored two goals from open play in four games against Croatia, Mexico, Chile and Colombia at this World Cup. Games against Cameroon should not count when evaluating their attack. The game was very physical. The ref was very average. If you followed the match on Twitter there is a good chance that you think Brazil were very, very fortunate. Colombia, however, did very little in the match until going down 2-0. Brazils intensity early in the match was unlike anything we have seen from the hosts so far and, James Rodriguez aside, Jose Pekermans team look like a side that is only good enough to reach the last eight. Thiago Silva was absolutely magnificent in defence. His suspension for the game against Germany is enormous. James Rodriguez got even better, despite the loss. He was a marked man and on a completely different level than his teammates yet he was still sensational, finding space and creating goal-scoring opportunities. He deserved his sixth goal of the World Cup. We bid farewell to Colombia. They played a wonderful part in making this a special World Cup and gave us the true star of this tournament. However, on this night, the rest of the team was shown to be what they are. Juan Cuadrado is very good and had a great tournament but the rest were just good. Good enough to take Colombia to the last eight for the first time. It appears as this column goes to press that Neymar is out of the World Cup. Here is what we do NOT know: How good are Brazil? This is the biggest question going forward. Despite getting by two good sides they look very average relying on Neymars pace and creativity in the final third. Without Neymar, they have no real plan B in attack. Even when they are scoring, he is the one creating them. Neymars speed again made a massive difference. You will remember David Luizs goal against Chile but moments earlier it was Neymar whose run got Brazil into that territory. They will miss many things without Neymar but his pace on counters is one the biggest things. Here is a shot of how Brazil lined up in that game. You will see the ball is on the right as #7 Hulk defends his flank. Already Neymar is anticipating a quick counter, wanting to go to the left…. Once that counter happens he is away to press…. Then he wins the ball and is behind the defender…. Here is the build up to the corner won by Brazil that led to their opening goal. Colombia in possession with Neymar lurking and Cristian Zapata deep to deal with his speed….. Brazil win it back and transition with Neymar immediately heading into that zone once again… Neymar is now in possession and Zapata is losing the race despite the head start… Zapata must force it into a corner – out of nothing and all because of the quick counter made by Neymar… Neymar has carried this team on his back so far and now that back can not carry the nation any more. Man of the day Nominees David Luiz – a sensational free kick gave Brazil the moment of the World Cup so far. Thiago Silva – opened the scoring with a key early goal and was magnificent in defence throughout. James Rodriguez – His name is James. James Rodriguez. No one should ever mispronounce his name ever again. A global star was born in Brazil. Manuel Neuer – the German goalkeeper was, once again, commanding in goal on the big occasion. Got his 50th cap against France and another 50 will be on their way. Mats Hummels – Germany needed a defensive hero very badly and the Borussia Dortmund man returned from the flu to win the game for Joachim Lows side. The winner… David Luiz – He may not have been the best player on the field but it was very special for a Brazilian to score a 35 yard free kick with the SIDE of his foot in such a monumental match. What comes next? Argentina vs Belgium (12pm/9am) and Netherlands vs Costa Rica (4pm/1pm) Burning question for tomorrow Argentina have gone through this World Cup with one great player and ten average ones. Can one player step up from average to good to help Lionel Messi and dispose of Belgium? Key stat of day 23 Mats Hummels scored the 30th headed goal at the World Cup. Ken Griffey Jr. White Sox Jersey . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. Dylan Cease Jersey . 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Lance Johnson White Sox Jersey . - A retired Indiana school principal who was NASCAR star Jeff Gordons drivers education teacher was killed with his wife in a Tennessee crash while returning from watching Gordon race.MONTREAL - The lawyer for a star McGill University football player charged in an alleged case of domestic violence says his client was the victim and not the aggressor.Luis-Andres Guimont-Mota, 22, was formally arraigned in Montreal on Thursday on charges of assault and uttering threats against his estranged wife. He was immediately released on $300 bail and a host of conditions.The third-year business management student and starting running back was arrested at a downtown apartment on Wednesday morning.By late that evening, McGill said the player in question had been immediately suspended as per the universitys varsity athletics guidelines.Whats particular in this case is my client is the victim and not the aggressor, contrary to the cases in the United States, said defence lawyer Steve Hanafi, referring to a spate of domestic violence cases involving National Football League players.Hanafi said the university was too hasty in suspending Guimont-Mota from the football team and that he and his client would challenge the decision.I think they acted too fast just to protect their image and they dont know the facts, he told reporters outside the courtroom.The university said the deputy provosts office for student life and learning will investigate and take any measures deemed appropriate.Hanafi said Guimont-Mota is considering filing a cross-complaint against his estranged wife, the aalleged victim in the current case.ddddddddddddHis parents were in court on Thursday and Guimont-Motas father offered a surety of $750 in addition to the bail.The family didnt speak to reporters after the hearing.Guimont-Mota and his estranged wife were married in 2012, but are now considering a divorce, the lawyer said.Hanafi said the alleged victim told Guimont-Motas mother shed struck him in the face.For the moment, were faced with two contradictory versions (of what happened), Hanafi said. She says he pushed her and my client says something else and we have leads that suggest he may be the victim.Guimont-Mota was voted McGills most outstanding offensive player in 2013.By Thursday morning, his profile had been removed from the McGill Redmen teams website, although his photo remained prominently displayed on the home page as he was a recipient of a $1,500 bursary from the Montreal Alouettes earlier this month.The case returns to court Feb. 23, 2015.Guimont-Mota pleaded guilty in 2011 to an assault outside a Quebec City bar in May 2010.He was sentenced last year to 90 days in jail to be served discontinuously, according to court records obtained by The Canadian Press.Quebec Le Soleil reported that the judge granted him a request for such a sentence to allow him to continue playing football.Its unclear if these charges will have an impact in that case, Hanafi said. ' ' '