Until this round of quarterfinal matches, it has to be said that we hadn't quite seen the best of the big guns at this World Cup.
Now it seems that Germany and Brazil have finally found 6th gear and are starting to accelerate towards a place in Rio for the grand final, after two much improved performances against two of this year's form teams.
Both former world champions knew they had to lift their performance from the round of 16 against the likes of France and Colombia respectively and boy did they.
If they didn't show it on the scoresheet, they definitely showed it on the field. They weren't just organized at the back but they had also identified their opponent's dangermen and rendered them ineffective.
James Rodriguez had been the darling of this World Cup Finals and seemed set to ride the wave to Copacabana Beach for the Final. Against Brazil, he seemed like a kid lost in the favellas of Rio, unable to find the same form that makes him the top scorer at this tournament - still is thanks to that late penalty against Brazil which was really consolation.
For France, Blaise Matuidi, Matthieu Valbuena and Karim Benzema had been key up front for France but were kept quiet for much of the game and when the ball fell onto them, there was always a German to either save the shot or deflect the ball away from goal.
Indeed the Germans definitely looked more likely to extend their 1-0 lead then Les Bleus come back into this game. It was a disappointing way to finish a campaign that has seen the 1998 world champions redeem themselves after the debacle of South Africa, but Didier Deschamps and the rest of France can look forward to EURO 2016 knowing that they have a side that could be crowned European champions at the Stade de France in under 2 years time.
Similar sentiments could be echoed for this Colombia team - let's not forget that this is the furthest any Colombian side has even been at a World Cup Finals, yet there will be disappointment that this side, possibly greater than the side featuring Escobar, Valderama, Asprilla, Mondragon, et al. couldn't quite go all the way to the Final on their home continent. However, Copa America is only next year and this young side have a real chance of victory in Peru.
One thing's for certain, James Rodriguez will be the hottest name in this summer's transfer window particularly if he can hold on and finish as top scorer at this World Cup with his 6 goals.
Meanwhile, Brazil and Germany can look forward to only their 2nd competitive match against one another - the last time was the 2002 World Cup Final, won by Brazil 2-0.
Luis Felipe Scolari who was coach of Brazil that day, would love history to repeat itself when they play in Belo Horizonte. Brazil should have plenty of inspiration for victory - not just the nation behind them but also the recent tragedy in Belo Horizonte involving an overpass collapsing on a bus killing 2 people and finally, captain Thiago Silva who will be suspended for the semifinal.
The big guns are finally here and things are just about to get hotter.
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