Day 23 in 100 words or less It was a day for central defenders and set-piece goals. Steve Nash Jersey . 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. Kelly Oubre Jr. Suns Jersey .C. -- Steve Spurrier was much happier about South Carolinas improved performance than about his lastest career milestone. Penny Hardaway Jersey . Cox started the season with San Francisco, but was released by the team on Nov. 12 before being signed by Seattle, where he appeared in two games and tallied three tackles before being released on Dec. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/dragan-bender-suns-jersey/ .J. Barea during a three-game shooting slump that was getting him booed off his home court with regularity. EDMONTON -- It never hurts starting a road trip against the leagues worst home team. Mike Ribeiro and Mikkel Boedker each had a goal and two assists as the Phoenix Coyotes started off a four-game trip on solid footing with a 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Radim Vrbata, Shane Doan, Keith Yandle and David Moss also scored for the Coyotes (16-7-4), who had lost four of their previous five games. "Obviously after the Chicago game (a 5-2 loss on Saturday on home ice), we wanted to make sure we came out and played more to our identity, especially on the road," said Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett. "Were starting a tough trip, we wanted to come in and play well tonight. I thought for the most part, we did a lot of good things. "I was glad the way our guys killed the penalties in the second and then responded in the third. Thats what we needed to start the trip." Ribeiro said that his team was confident they could get the Oilers running around in the third. "We knew if we stayed patient in the third that they would probably try to open up and thats what happened," he said. "We had our chances, were able to score and well take those two points, especially on this road trip." David Perron scored a pair of goals for the Oilers (9-18-2) who dropped to 3-9-0 on home ice this season as they began a five-game stay in Rexall Place. The Oilers trailed 3-2 heading into the third period, but the wheels came off from there. "In the third there were three or four areas where we got out-battled," said Oilers forward Jordan Eberle. "You can look at every goal and there is probably a play where they won a battle and got it to our net and scored. Thats what it came down to. Thats what pisses you off when you come into the room. It isnt a technical thing, its not a bouncing puck, you got out-battled. You cant have that." Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins was especially disappointed in the defence. "The fourth goal, the fifth, the sixtha that is about as bad as I have seen three or four of our defencemen play this year and it cost us," he said. "They are individual mistakes and things that the individual has to correct. Some of the plays tonight had nothing to do with systems. It was all about a misread, or more importantly, a no-read. Just being so focused on the puck. "Its tragic when you are still in the game and then you go into the third period and that happens. It tears your heart out, it tears your guts out." The Coyotes started the scoring three-and-a-half minutes in on the power play as Boedker was left all alone in front to pick up a big rebound and wrist it past Oilers starter Devan Dubnyk. It was just Phoenixs second first-period goal in the last six games. Edmonton tied the game up midway through the first period as Phoenix defenceman David Schlemko coughed up the puck to Mark Arcobello. Arcobello used a drop pass to leave the puck open for a trailinng Perron, who rifled his 10th of the season past Coyotes goalie Mike Smith. Charles Barkley Suns Jersey. . The Oilers started the second period well, but suddenly found themselves behind 3-1 after goals just under a minute apart. Seven minutes into the second period, another Coyotes player went to the front of the net unmolested as Ribeiro passed through the crease to a wide-open Vrbata, who scored his ninth of the season. Just 58 seconds later the Coyotes had a two-goal advantage as Ribeiro floated a shot from the point that was deflected on the way to the net by Doan and completely fooled Dubnyk. Edmonton got one of those goals back on the power play with just 52 seconds left in the middle period as Ales Hemsky made a nice pass from behind the net to Perron, who scored his second of the game with a quick shot off Smiths shoulder and into the net. After having what initially appeared to be a goal by Moss called back on a high stick, the Coyotes went up 4-2 on another Edmonton defensive breakdown as Ribeiro was left alone in front to take a Doan pass and score his eighth of the season. Phoenix put the game out of reach midway through the third period with another pair of quick-strike goals just 42 seconds apart. Yandle got the fifth goal as he undressed Edmonton defender Jeff Petry and beat Dubnyk with a slapshot to the top corner. "Keith Yandle is one of those guys in the league that everybody is looking for, that everybody is trying to find," Doan said. "We are so thankful to have him and any other team in the league would be so thankful to have a D-man that can make those plays." Moss deflected a shot on net and then swatted in his own rebound as he was getting hauled down to make it 6-2. The Coyotes play the second match of a four-game road trip in Calgary on Wednesday. The Oilers host the second game of a five-game homestand on Thursday when they welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Notes: It was the second of five meetings this season between the Pacific Division rivals. Phoenix came from behind with a pair of late third-period goals to win the first contest 5-4 at home on Oct. 26a The Coyotes came into the game having won six of their last eight games in Edmonton and were 12-2-2 against the Oilers under coach Dave Tippetta Devan Dubnyk got the start for Edmonton after coming in to relieve and injured Ilya Bryzgalov in Sundays 3-2 shootout win in Dallas. Bryzgalovs status is unknown as he continues to be evaluated for concussion/whiplash symptoms after taking a hit in the crease from the Stars Ryan Garbutta Oilers centre Boyd Gordon remained out of the lineup with a myriad of minor injuries. Gordon is fifth in the NHL in face-off winsa Coyotes defenceman Zbynek Michalek (lower body) and winger Lauri Korpikoski (upper body) did not play, but are expected to join the team on its road tripa The Oilers announced on Tuesday that their new downtown rink will be named Rogers Place. The new building is slated to be completed in the fall of 2016. ' ' '