2014 World Cup - Europe Rules (Just)!

The 2014 World Cup hasn't been the most memorable for the UEFA zone, i.e. Europe.

Now-former world champions, Spain crashed out in dramatic circumstances and were shortly joined by so-called giants Italy, England and Portugal along with Russia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina - the latter three not so surprisingly.

After South America's big day on Saturday, it was time for the rest of the world to show that they could compete with their Latin counterparts with the Netherlands, France and Germany flying the flag for Europe - no offence, Greece and we'll see what happens to Belgium and Switzerland.

As it was, the flag seemed to lack puff early on, struggling to flutter against stiff opposition from Central America and Africa.

The Dutch were very lucky to get a win against a very unlucky Mexico and rising star keeper, Guillermo Ochoa in normal time after nearly melting down in the Fortaleza heat - the ineffective van Persie was replaced by the fresh Klaus Jan Huntelaar who scored the winning penalty awarded after Robben's controversial and much talked about dive.

About that, Rafa Marquez probably didn't do himself any favours with his feet but Robben's dive was a bit much even if it looked like he took a tumble. While we would love to see an end to divers, the fact is, solving the problem is like answering the question to how long is a piece of strong - it will require a significant cultural change in world football which is something that many apart from the English and Australians aren't keen to embrace at the moment.

As for the Dutch's big EU brothers, the French and Germans also needed a bit of luck - and reliance on their superior depth and fitness compared to their African opponents.

Nigeria and Algeria started brightly and showed more organization than any other African side who has gone this far. Ultimately, they faded away as many had expected with their goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama for Nigeria and Rais M'Bohli for Algeria pulling off save after save to keep their sides in the game as the French and Germans made shot after shot on goal.

Ironically, it was an error by Enyeama that would lead to the French breakthrough and would be the straw that broke the camel's back. Lille's Enyeama probably got a bit too familiar with the French crowd, coming out far too early to allow Pogba to head home his first goal of the tournament. Griezmann's shot came off Yobo to make it 2-0 - a bit flattering for France as Nigeria held their own for much of the game but will still have to go home after the 2nd round.

We'll see more of these German fans

As for Algeria, they surprised many, by outplaying Germany for much of the game and keeping Mario Goetze quiet all night. Algeria should be considered along with Costa Rica, one of the surprise packages of the tournament, for playing some great organized, counter-attacking football, and deserved their consolation goal right at the end. In the end, German resistance and depth took its toll on the North African side who will head home as heroes.

So the Dutch go through to face Costa Rica in the quarterfinals in Salvador - at night thankfully - while the French take on the Germans in the afternoon before the big South American derby between Brazil and Colombia on Friday night.

Costa Rica are still alive - thank God!

At least the Europeans won't have to worry about opponents used to the heat - and one wonders if they along with Brazil might have received the wake-up call they needed.

The goals may have dried up a bit but the drama is still as fresh as ever.