32 teams made it to the start of this World Cup Finals but only two would make the Final and play for the chance to be world champion.
16 teams were already gone almost 2 weeks ago.
Here were the first 8 that didn't quite make it
Chile - A fantastic tournament by the Chileans was ended prematurely on penalties after a brave draw with hosts Brazil in the game that many didn't give them a chance to win - yet they almost did with a dramatic shot that hit the post. Expect Chile to get stronger as more of their best players ply their trade in Europe, led by key talisman, Alexis Sanchez whichever club he ends up with. Best to work on those penalties.
Uruguay - Uruguay's 2014 World Cup will forever be associated by "that" bite. The resulting ban to Luis Suarez took away Uruguay's most creative outlet and they finished the tournament the same way they started - without Suarez and clearly second-best. It's a shame as Uruguay showed great heart to turn it around from their horror start to beat Italy 1-0 and knock them out, just days after effectively ending England's campaign.
Mexico - The most improved side in world football over the last 12 months, Mexico bellied their poor qualifying campaign with a strong campaign in the Finals which ended in their customary participation in the 2nd round. Indeed, they really should have made their first appearance in the quarterfinals since 1986 but for that resounding Dutch comeback and that controversial penalty. Will Herrera stay in the job post Brazil - hard to say. But at least he has restored pride in the Mexican top.
Greece - Possibly the weakest team in the 2nd round on paper - but they pushed Costa Rica all the way with their never-say-die attitude and only just went out on penalties to Los Ticos. Making the 2nd round itself is a big achievement for the 2004 European champions and fans of this economic pariah will look back on this World Cup with fond memories.
Nigeria - Their best performance at a World Cup since 1998 and probably their best performance in the 2nd round since 1994 - they were thrashed by Denmark in 1998. Defensively tough and wonderful on the counter attack, Stephen Keshi showed his great coaching abilities to guide a side to the 2nd round despite the distractions over bonuses in the build-up. Nigerian football seems to be back.
Algeria - One of the surprise packages of the World Cup, belatedly making their debut in the 2nd round after controversially missing out in 1982. Motivated by events in 1982, Algeria pushed Germany hard in their 2nd round tie and deservedly took the game to extra time, and deserved their consolation goal at the end of the game. Algerian football is back with its rising young stars and could be here to stay for a while.
Switzerland - The unfashionable Swiss actually had a decent tournament and displayed some talented young players, including Bayern Munich youngster, Xherdan Shaqiri, who was a menace for Argentina's defence. They blotted their copybook with that 5-2 defeat to France but other than that were solid in midfield and the back and great up front. Swiss football can only get better even without Ottmar Hitzfeld.
United States - The USA failed to make the quarterfinals but in terms of getting the public support, it was a massive success, even surpassing the 1994 World Cup which they hosted - if you measure support by facebook and twitter updates. A solid tournament for a limited side that managed to knock out Portugal. Good result for the game as it establishes as the "football" of the USA.
The next 4 that didn't quite make it..
Colombia - It was Colombia's best ever performance at a World Cup Finals surpassing the achievements of Valderamma, Higuita and Asprilla. Yet there is a tinge of disappointment and feeling that James Rodriguez et al. couldn't quite take the next step against Brazil, falling flat in their quarterfinal - that feeling probably would be accentuated after Brazil's calamitous collapse in their semifinal against Germany. Nevertheless, Colombia are back as a force to be reckoned with in world football - and James Rodriguez is still very much in contention for the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament titles.
France - A much better World Cup than the last and the signs are promising just 2 years before they host the European Championships. To win EURO 2016, Didier Deschamps' men have to shed the cautious tactics that cost them badly against Germany. Les Bleus fans will be glad that once again they have a side that wants to play for the country, though.
Belgium - A solid return to the World Cup Finals for a very talented side. Yes, they had many big names but one must remember that Belgium hadn't been in a major tournament in 12 years so tournament experience was always going to count against them especially up against a side like Argentina. Belgian fans can look forward to EURO 2016 though.
Costa Rica - The surprise of the tournament easily. Few would have expected little Costa Rica not only to make it out of the Group of Death and eliminate Italy and England, then with a bit of luck meet the weak Greeks in the 2nd round and win their shootout to make the quarterfinals where they pushed the Dutch all the way to another shootout. There are some real stars in this Los Ticos side, i.e. goalkeeper, Keylor Navas and winger, Joel Campbell, but there were many others who could see themselves in the big leagues in the near future.
And then the 2 that fell one game short.
Brazil - Oh dear. This World Cup was meant to show the best of the country deemed the world's best footballing nation. Instead, dissatisfaction at the costs of hosting the World Cup from the locals overshadowed the start and while the Selecao did manage to grab the nation's attention once they kicked off in Sao Paulo, there were many question marks whether this side really could make the Final and win the World Cup at home. Brazil were trundling along nicely, and gradually improving only for the shock double blow of losing Neymar and Thiago Silva in their quarterfinal against Colombia. Then came Germany and the rest is history.
As it stands, Brazil has never won a World Cup when hosted at home - at least the All Blacks have won the World Cup when hosted at home (twice). Aotearoa Number One!
Netherlands - They got as far as they probably deserved to - thanks to sheer determination and grit, rather than the guile and flair that characterised their performance in the group stages, including that 5-1 win over Spain that was close to being the game of the tournament until Germany's 7-1 thrashing of the hosts. Robin van Persie's mid-tournament loss of form coincided with a sudden change of style for the Dutch as they suddenly became cautious - everything that is against the philosophy of football established by Johan Cruyff's generation. Louis van Gaal showed his best and worst when it came to tactics in a space of several days - it's a shame his worst came when the Dutch needed him to shine to make the World Cup Finals.
So it's just Germany and Argentina then - can the star beat a star team? More on that later!
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