Brazil v Germany semi-final (21:00 BST)
Live on BBC One, 5 live & website
Brazil boss Scolari: We can cope without Neymar
German boss Low wants referee to take tough line
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Phil McNulty
BBC chief football writer in Brazil
"The sound of fireworks can be heard around Belo Horizonte already. More than six hours to go until Brazil meet Germany in the World Cup semi-final but the home fans are clearly intent on making a day of it.
"The atmosphere inside each stadium has moved to another level every time Brazil have made progress - so today should be special inside the Estadio Mineirao."
Image source, Getty ImagesNetherlands striker Robin van Persie tells Fifa.com, external he is happy not to grab the headlines as long as the team are performing.
"This World Cup is not about Robin van Persie. It is about our team doing well," says the Manchester United forward. "I love a big tournament, but I don't need to have the limelight.
"We're a squad of 23 players. The atmosphere is excellent. I don't have anything at all to complain about."
Image source, Getty ImagesJohnny in Nuneaton: Netherlands to win. Years ago me and my mate drove to Amsterdam to watch our beloved Orange Lions lose to Spain. We've already seen them exact their revenge, but this Sunday we are making our way back over to the Dutch capital - again by car - to hopefully watch the Netherlands win their first ever World Cup. In 2010 we gate crashed a street party in Hemonystraat and that's exactly where we will be heading for as soon as we roll up on Saturday. Quite simply put - it would be unthinkable if Netherlands didn't make it to the final!
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson: "Germany did look better at the back against France but they did not create many chances. In midfield Toni Kroos has been quiet and Mesut Ozil has been extremely average.
"I understand why they are trying to play in Thomas Muller all the time, because he looks the real deal, but it does not always work for them.
"Germany are in the semi-final without having played a team of real quality yet, because the French were so disappointingly flat in their last-eight match and I do not think Brazil will look at them and think they are the team to beat.
"The Germans know that as well - they are not a great team, but are very functional."
Image source, AFPGermany came through their matches in the last 16 and quarter-finals with substance rather than style.
Joachim Low's side needed extra time to clinch a 2-1 win over Algeria in the last 16 thanks to goals from Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil in Porto Alegre after a disciplined showing.
An equally pragmatic performance also took them through their quarter-final against France. A headed goal from Mats Hummels proved the difference as Germany secured a 1-0 victory at the Maracana.
Manchester City have signed Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
The Argentine, 32, joined on a three-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £6m excluding add-ons.
Caballero, who played under City boss Manuel Pellegrini at Spanish side Malaga, was in Manchester in the past 24 hours morning to finalise the deal.
Image source, Getty ImagesWilly Caballero worked with Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga
Brazil and Germany had similar records in the group stages, winning two games, scoring seven goals and conceding twice.
Both teams have scored 10 goals so far in this tournament, averaging two goals per game, and both semi-finalists have also had 70% of their shots hit the target.
Phil McNulty
BBC chief football writer in Brazil
"In the absence of injured Neymar and suspended captain Thiago Silva, former Chelsea defender David Luiz has taken over the role of leader of the Brazil side and the focus of the nation's attention.
"Luiz's face has been all over Brazilian television this morning, with fans filmed in hairdressers being transformed with his familiar frizzy haircut and a programme looking back over his life in football.
"And coach Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed to the media last night that when he was alerted to the sound of laughing at a team dinner before today's World Cup semi-final against Germany, he discovered it was because he was being mimicked by Luiz.
"Luiz has also been granted the ultimate honour here in Brazil. The famous plastic parrot Puppet "Louro" - who co-presents a major breakfast TV programme - is today sporting a David Luiz wig. It is quite an accolade."
Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is expected to move within days and "there is interest from clubs in England, Germany and Spain".
The 26-year-old was not offered a new contract at the Emirates and is available on a free transfer.
A source close to the player revealed he was close to finalising a switch after attracting a number of offers.
Image source, Getty ImagesNicklas Bendtner has had offers from clubs in England, Germany and Spain
Dean Smith: , externalHolland to win the World Cup, best football played out of all the teams - just not Brazil, they don't deserve it
Mike Tomasek:, external I'm from the States, but my mom's side of the family is from the Groningen area dating back to 1600. Go Netherlands!
Ahmet Huseyin: , externalGermany will win tonight. Muller Brace
Who do you want to win the World Cup and why? You can tweet us your thoughts using the hashtag #bbcworldcup.
Brazil's players have had to shoulder the hopes of 200 million football-mad compatriots and, so far, they have coped under pressure.
In the group stages, the unbeaten hosts opened with a nerve-easing 3-1 victory over Croatia and went on to draw with Mexico and beat Cameroon. They then scraped through on penalties against Chile in the last 16.
Standing between Brazil and a place in the semi-finals were James Rodriguez's Colombia. It wasn't pretty, but Brazil eventually pulled through to secure a 2-1 win and a place in the last four.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesJoachim Low came up against predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann in Germany's final group game against USA in rain-soaked Recife.
A draw would have taken both sides through to the last 16, but Low's side did not do their former boss any favours as Thomas Muller's goal gave Germany a 1-0 win.
Germany progressed as group winners but, despite the defeat, Klinsmann's side also qualified as runners-up. You can check out Muller's goal and the rest of the highlights of the match.
Image source, AFPThis will be only the second meeting between these two nations at the World Cup. The last was in the 2002 final where Brazil won 2-0 in Yokohama thanks to two goals from Ronaldo.
Phil McNulty
BBC chief football writer in Brazil
"The force of nature that is Brazil's support means they have been riding a wave of emotion towards what they believe is the ultimate triumph - winning a World Cup in their own country.
"To be present at Brazil's quarter-final win against Colombia in Fortaleza was to witness an atmosphere almost unmatched in the sport. The Estadio Casteloa was decorated with thousands of yellow Brazil shirts and embellished by a deafening noise that swept around the arena at the slightest encouragement.
"This Brazil team may not be one of the best to have graced the famous shirts, but the fanatical support remains undimmed. It could carry these players to glory."
Image source, BBC SportIf you've ever wondered how Match of the Day created the titles for this World Cup, then wonder no more because you can now watch behind-the-scenes footage.
The titles, which have been a major feature of the BBC's programmes from Brazil, feature a graffiti version of Lionel Messi, a miniature Steve Gerrard and the unmistakable scenery of Rio de Janeiro.
Image source, Getty ImagesAndy Featherstone:, external Germany to win it, I'm in Berlin the day of the final for my brother's stag and it would be an unbelievable atmosphere! German for the day.
Darren Lovell:, external I want Argentina to win it. They were the first team I finished in my Panini sticker book this year!
Jim Pye:, external I'm in Brazil at the moment would like them to win because the people here are so friendly.
Nige in Harlow: I want Brazil to win as I'm having a World Cup Final/my 40th Birthday party on Sunday and have a great CD of samba/Latin music all ready for the day!
Andy in London: Brazil! My better half is Brazilian and if anyone knows a Brazilian, life isn't all caipirinhas and samba filled when they lose! Vai Brasil.
Melin Poole: For the past thirty years I have always had a sizeable bet on Holland. But i didn't fancy them this year, so really hope they don't win.
#bbcworldcup, external on Twitter, 81111 on text and the BBC Sport Facebook page., external
Image source, AFPBrazil captain Thiago Silva is banned, so coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will turn to Bayern Munich's Dante to replace him at the back.
With Neymar injured, Brazil could field a central midfield three, or else pick an attack-minded replacement such as Willian or Bernard. Luis Gustavo is back from suspension.
Image source, AFPArgentina captain Lionel Messi still has a chance of ending this World Cup as the tournament's leading goalscorer, but unsurprisingly the forward claims he would prefer to win the World Cup than the Golden Boot.
James Rodriguez is currently the top scorer with six goals but is no longer in the tournament, while Messi has hit the net four times and has at least one game to attempt to overtake the Colombian.
"As a player, winning a World Cup is the biggest thing," says the Barcelona forward., external "It's something you dream of as a child, and the dream never fades."
Image source, AFPReal Madrid's fans have joined players and officials of the club in paying their respects to legend Alfredo Di Stefano following his death.
Di Stefano, regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, passed away on Monday evening at the age 88 after suffering a heart attack last Saturday.
The Argentine forward, who won five straight European Cups scoring in each final between 1956 and 1960, has been lying in state at the club's Bernabeu Stadium to enable supporters to make personal tributes.