Sports

It was not clear if De Jong is fit to play against Argentina or if Van Persie has a fitness problem.

Thiago Silva branded Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga a coward for the tackle which put star striker Neymar out of the World Cup.

Now exactly 60 years after their first World Cup trophy, Germans have a heavy sense of entitlement that they deserve to triumph for a fourth time.

Aguero has missed past two matches with a hamstring injury but looked untroubled during a light training session.

Argentina midfielder Maria's absence would be a significant blow to the South Americans' hopes of winning the tournament for the third time.

Chile striker Mauricio Pinilla accused Paiva of punching him in the face, while Paiva admitted slapping him.

Pinto believed that his team should have been given two penalties from the referees in the match against the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-final.

Gonzalo Higuain's first goal of this World Cup sent Argentina into the semifinals on Saturday with a 1-0 win over a disappointing Belgium.

Germany coach Loew refused to look beyond the semi-finals after his team reached the last four at the World Cup by defeating France 1-0.

The 1998 champions lacked conviction going forward after missing two early opportunities and eventually lost to Germany 1-0 on Friday.

"I repeat any team that has a player like Messi will depend a lot on him...he is the best player in the world but there is team work also," Sabella said.

Germany reached the semifinals for a fourth straight World Cup by beating France 1-0 in a cagey match settled by a first-half header from Mats Hummels.

Suarez was banned for nine Uruguay matches, four months from all football and fined 100,000 Swiss francs after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in a World Cup match.

All eight of the teams through to the quarter-finals allowed their players to have sexual relations with partners during down time

Sports psychologist Regina Brandao reportedly made an unscheduled visit to Brazil training camp ahead of Friday's quarter-final with Colombia.

Hummels and Podolski are fit to face France in Friday's World Cup quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro after recovering from illness and injury respectively.