Argentina Body Paint Football World Cup

If anyone wondered about Argentina's World Cup-winning credentials, surely there can be little doubt now. Not because of the convincing nature of the team's football thus far mind you -- far from it. But after a solitary goal from Gonzalo Higuain was enough to overcome Belgium in Brasilia on Saturday, "La Albiceleste" are only one game away from the final of this gripping World Cup.

The win also marked the first time Argentina has reached a World Cup semifinal since 1990, when -- after overcoming host nation Italy on penalties -- it was eventually defeated by West Germany in a bad-tempered final. That came four years after Diego Maradona inspired the country's second title success in football's showpiece event, in Mexico, following victory on home soil in 1978.

"After 24 years this is a good tribute to this squad -- they will go down in history as one of the best four teams in the world and we will see if they can go one step more," coach Alejandro Sabella told reporters. While Brazil will be without injured star striker Neymar for Tuesday's semifinal against Germany -- and the rest of the tournament if the host goes any further -- the Argentines have their own fitness concerns after trumping a Belgian team tipped as a pre-tournament dark horse.

Angel Di Maria, who scored Argentina's winning goal in the previous round, is a doubt for Wednesday's match against the Netherlands -- which beat Costa Rica in a penalty shootout later Saturday -- after coming off with a thigh injury in the first half.

Nevertheless, they will be glad to be through. Alejandro Sabella's team had struggled in the group stage, requiring a dramatic late strike from Lionel Messi to overcome unfancied Iran and only narrowly defeating Nigeria and Bosnia. An uncomfortable extra-time victory over Switzerland in the round of 16 also hardly inspired confidence. Yet such worries seem pointless when a team has the likes of Messi in its ranks. The Barcelona star has finally announced his arrival on the World Cup stage in Brazil after a disappointing 2010 tournament in South Africa and only a few substitute appearances as a 17-year-old in Germany four years prior.

Why is Everybody World Cup Crazy?

Seriously, why is everyone so hyped up in a sporting event that does not even entail the whole world to begin with? Let me count 4 good reasons and hopefully make a very careful analysis on each reason.

Reason #1: Everybody is crazy about balls. This fascination with balls dates back to the olden times. Romans like balls made of iron and that has spikes to it. Ancient Greeks pretty much love to throw heavy balls to see how far they can throw them around. Basically. It’s a guy thing. For women, it is pretty obvious why they love balls. They do even have a couple of orbs that they can use to manipulate men, but I will not delve into that kind of balling.

Reason #2: When a player scores a goal, it is a perfect excuse to go crazy, like taking off your shirt and punch the guy next to you. Perfectly a good excuse to start a brawl too.
Reason#3: People from other nations that do not have a team in World Cup can join too. Philippines for example. We do not have a very effective football theme but somehow, World Cup here has hit fever pitch. And I am pretty much certain the Philippine government has made some plans as to how to incorporate the World Cup spirit to achieve their goals, whatever that means.
Reason #4: We get to see naked women. Seriously, strip bets are around gents. Don’t know which bars though.