Title aspirants now fight for 3rd place

After seeing their World Cup hopes end in excruciating fashion, both Brazil and the Netherlands might not mind getting away from the pitch for a few days. But first, they will battle it out Saturday in the third-place match.
A sixth championship was in the sights of every Brazilian, but those dreams came to a screeching halt via seven Germany goals in the semifinal. Nobody is feeling worse than the host nation, but the Dutch are also hanging their heads after coming so close to a return to the final-only to lose the Argentina in penalty kicks.
After one fateful injury to Neymar and seven German goals that likely would have happened anyway, that dream died in one of the most painful ways imaginable. To make matters worse, arch-rivals Argentina advanced on to the final-leaving the possibility alive of the Argentines hoisting the trophy in Brazil.
The Dutch know that better than anybody, after a 120-minute affair in Sao Paulo that ended with Lionel Messi and company celebrating an Argentina trip to the final. They flirted with disaster for the second straight match by going to penalties, and this time substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul couldn't be brought on as the Dutch had used all of their subs.
Although it may not seem like it in the wake of their World Cup dreams dashing away, both the Brazilians and Dutch have plenty to play for in Saturday's final.
Only three national teams receive recognition for their play in a World Cup-champions, runners up and third place.
For Brazil, they still have everything to play for-injured Neymar and millions of their own fans. No nation is more hungry for a victory at the moment, after the way that the hosts went out in the semifinals.
Just as well, the Netherlands could come in with a chip on their shoulder. They just saw their hopes of making it to a second straight final end, but after going scoreless for two matches they will be hungry to get back to their scoring ways against a team that just gave up seven goals.
Even without Neymar, Brazil's attack has the potential to be dangerous. Players like Fred, Hulk and Bernard now have more room to operate with, and Oscar could be in for a big match after scoring late against the Germans.    — Internet