The poor performance of African teams at the World Cup was due to an inferiority complex, according to Zambia's sports minister.

"When African players go to Europe, they play better than European players themselves; but when they are playing as an African team against a European team, there is inferiority complex," said Chsihimba Kambwili in the Post of Zambia.

Algeria and Nigeria reached the last-16 of the tournament, but Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana all exited in the group stage.

BBC Radio 5 live football producer Phil Wye on Twitter:, external "Unexpected things to hear in departures at a Brazilian airport - 'Manuel Neuer please proceed to gate five....'"

Was Tim Howard's display against Belgium the greatest in World Cup history? You tell us what was the finest individual display? Tweet #bbcworldcup, text 81111 or comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Rosie Jane Goodwin:, external USA had a really poor defence. Howard was fantastic in making those saves, but, I think anyone could make most of those saves. If not, then shouldn't be a goalie!!

Ayijoe Burniton Emmanuel:, external Steven Gerrard's assist to Suarez for Uruguay is the greatest individual performance in FIFA World Cup history.

Jason Lea:, external Well Ochoa made more spectacular saves the other day. Neuer kept charging out and saved his team like a 1000 times.

Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure says nobody cares about the "injustices" his team suffered at the hands of referees at the World Cup.

Toure feels African teams are not given the respect they deserve and was frustrated by a stoppage-time penalty handed to Greece which eliminated his side.

"Of course, it does not upset anyone because it only concerns an African team," says Toure., external "Who really cares about the injustices of an African team? This mistake deprives us of something huge. It is a scandal that unfortunately does not seem to bother many people."

Belgium's 2014 World Cup record: Four wins, six goals, two conceded.

Marc Wilmots' side have now had more shots than any other side in the tournament.

All eyes on the Belgium substitute bench: In tight contests, impact from the substitutes bench must be a joy for managers and Marc Wilmots has seen replacements notch four of his side's six goals in the tournament.

Image source, Reuters

Away from the glitz and the glamour of cameras and superstars at the World Cup, BBC Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand has been witnessing the love for football to be found in the poorest areas of Rio.

Ferdinand has been playing four-a-side high up in the favelas and describes growing up in Peckham as "luxury" by comparison.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club have received "several offers" for Chile winger Alexis Sanchez.

The 25-year-old impressed during the World Cup and has been linked with a move to Liverpool if Luis Suarez joins the Catalan club.

Bartomeu also says captain Xavi Hernandez "has the right to decide" on his own future amid rumours he will leave despite having two years left on his contract.

Image source, Wimbledon

Normally social media laughs at misfortune but today it seems the brilliance of USA goalkeeper Tim Howard is at the heart of jokes.

After making 15 saves in his side's defeat to Belgium last week, the question is, what else can Howard save in this form?

Wimbledon, external have him down to field a thunderous forehand from Nick Kyrgios - conqueror of world number one Rafa Nadal on Tuesday.

We are asking you for your greatest ever World Cup performances. Was Tim Howard's for USA against Belgium top of the pile? Tweet us on #bbcworldcup, text on 81111 or comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Stephen Mawhinney:, external Greatest individual performance at the World Cup? If you have to ask you never watched Maradona in '86.

Germany forward Andre Schurrle says the side expect to win the World Cup in Brazil.

"We don't come here just to take part," says Schurrle, who has five goals in five international games. "When you have this team with these players, everyone in our country and all around the world has big expectations of us.

"We have big ambitions and we have that feeling more than ever now that we are into the last eight."

Germany are chasing a fourth success in the tournament they last won in 1990.

Fernandinho insists he is comfortable playing in the holding midfield role if asked to deputise for the suspended Luis Gustavo on Friday.

Fernandinho's first cap in two years came in Gustavo's role in Brazil's 5-0 friendly win against South Africa in March - although he looked far more at ease when switched to a box-to-box role for the second half of that game.

"For me it is no problem whatsoever," says Fernandinho. "When I was called up (by Brazil), it was to play in the holding role. That is how I played in England throughout last season."

Argentina's 2014 World Cup record: Four wins, seven goals. three conceded.

The South American side have attempted over 2,200 passes. Only Germany with around 2,600 have tried more.

All eyes on Lionel Messi: The line on Messi needing to deliver a World Cup to elevate himself to levels set by Maradona has been trotted out as regularly as goals at this exhilarating World Cup. The rationale is probably true and until he jinked effortlessly to set up Angel Di Maria in the win over Switzerland, Argentina looked blunt. Messi is their Roy of the Rovers.

Image source, AP

Costa Rica defender Roy Miller is out of their quarter-final against the Netherlands with a muscle injury in his left leg suffered during training.

"The injury will keep him off the pitch for several days," the Central American nation's football association said of the 29-year-old left back, who hurt himself practicing penalties.

Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o appears to be teasing supporters on Twitter over his next playing destination.

The 33-year-old was released by Chelsea this summer and is now looking for a new employer.

He tweets:, external "Italy? Spain? France? UK? Turkey? USA????? But I love USA though..."

Germany's Thomas Muller says his bizarre stumble while running towards the ball for a free kick late in the World Cup last-16 match against Algeria was a ploy.

"Is this interview going to be broadcast worldwide or only in Germany?" Muller asked a German television reporter who wanted to know if the Bayern Munich player had deliberately tripped. When told that the interview would only be broadcast in Germany, Muller smiled and said: "It almost worked."

Watch the incident here

Image source, Getty Images

Josep Maria Bartomeu on Liverpool's Luis Suarez: "He plays for another club and I don't like to talk about the players of other clubs.

"Luis Suarez made a mistake in one game and apologised, that was an honourable gesture. I think this is the first step towards him changing and rehabilitating himself as a public figure. People in football have to support him.

"He is a great player, a global star and we want him to continue playing as he has until now. I am speaking as a football fan."

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says Luis Suarez's apology for biting Giorgio Chiellini is "honourable".

The Catalan club are in talks with Liverpool over the striker, but Bartomeu refuses to confirm the extent of discussions.

"I did say that this year we will be restructuring the team in depth and we have been working on that ever day since February," he says. "We do have a lot of negotiations at a very advanced stage. Of course people are speculating a lot but there are an awful lot of factors."

Time magazine, external reports that a Texas barber, known for his "hair portraits" of celebrities, is offering to create a new look for World Cup fans. Although business Stateside might have dried up over the last 24 hours...

Image source, Time magazine

Rob Ferrel has etched Lionel Messi and Javier Hernandez onto the back of people's heads. With their permission, of course.

Image source, Time magazine

The reaction continues after Tim Howard's remarkable 15-save display for USA as they suffered World Cup exit to Belgium.

Social media, radio discussions and newspapers have all heaped praise on the Everton player but in the event you missed what all the fuss is about, we have all of his saves in one package in the highlights tab at the top of this page.

Image source, Twitter

Memes ('internet funnies') have come into their own during this tournament, and the Huffington Post , externalhas collated the best posted on Twitter from the hashtag 'Things Tim Howard Could Save'.

The American goalkeeper has been pictured stopping the Titanic from sinking and preventing Only Fools and Horses' Del Boy from falling between the bar. Howard is definitely not a plonker.