Summary

  • Brazil face Netherlands in the World Cup third-place play-off (21:00 BST)

  • Build-up to Germany v Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final

  • Live uninterrupted coverage of the World Cup final on BBC One and Radio 5 live on Sunday from 19:00 BST

  • DEBATE: Who should win the award for player of the tournament?

  1. Postpublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    That's all from us on World Cup Sportsday for today - thanks very much for your company. You can keep up to date with tonight's third-place play-off here on the BBC Sport website, and then join us again from 07:00 BST tomorrow as we count down to the big one - Germany v Argentina. See you then.

  2. Brazil v Netherlands (21:00 BST)published at 16:01 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    A few more head-to-head facts and figures to whet your appetite ahead of tonight's World Cup third-place play-off:

    This will be the 12th match between Brazil and Netherlands (W3, D5, L3), and the fifth in World Cup finals.

    The Dutch have won two of the three most recent World Cup meetings, including a 2-1 win in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.

    The two nations have given away the most fouls in the tournament - Brazil 107, Netherlands 106.

    Brazil's last victory over the Dutch was a 3-1 win in 1999. The match saw five players sent off; Edgar Davids, Andre Ooijer and Peter van Vossen for the Dutch, Rivaldo and Amoroso for Brazil.

    Netherlands had just one shot on target in their semi-final against Argentina, while Brazil had eight in their 7-1 loss against Germany.

  3. Standing up for the third-place play-offpublished at 15:58 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Thomas MullerImage source, Getty Images

    Germany's thrilling 3-2 victory over Uruguay in the 2010 third-place play-off settled the Golden Boot award in dramatic fashion.

    In a see-saw match, Thomas Muller's 19th-minute opener for Germany in Port Elizabeth clinched the top scorer's award - even though he ended up tied on five goals with Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneijder and David Villa - as he had provided more assists.

    Forlan's acrobatic volley, which briefly gave Uruguay a 2-1 lead, brought him level with Muller on five goals. He was only denied the Golden Boot himself when, with the last kick of the game, he hit the bar with a free-kick.

  4. Get involvedpublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Viktor Allen:, external 3/4th prediction: Brazil to play like they're futsalling on Copacabana. Netherlands to play like they're on a diving board. 4-2.

  5. Lawro predictspublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson has fared pretty well with his World Cup picks, selecting 11 of the 16 teams that went through to the knockout stages and correctly prediction half of the outcomes of the group matches.

    Here's how he thinks tonight's match between Brazil and Netherlands will pan out:

    "This is the game nobody wants and I completely understand why Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has complained about having to play it.

    "I do not understand why people would buy a ticket for this fixture because it is such a non-event, but there will be a lot of Brazil fans there. They will want to win, but I don't think the Dutch will be bothered."

    Lawro's prediction: 2-0

  6. New Tottenham stadium a step closerpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    White Hart LaneImage source, Getty Images

    Nipping away from World Cup business for just a moment: Tottenham Hotspur's plans to build a new 58,000-capacity stadium on a site next to their White Hart Lane home are set to go ahead following Government approval.

    Spurs, who have played at White Hart Lane since 1899, hope to move into the new ground in 2017.

    "This is a very significant step," the club says in a statement,, external adding that they have "refined a detailed design of the stadium" to fully develop its potential for the future.

    Spurs have been clearing land next to White Hart Lane for two years and, as the Government has approved the final stages of their plans, building work can now begin.

  7. Standing up for the third-place play-offpublished at 15:43 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    David PlattImage source, Getty Images

    England's 1990 World Cup campaign left them with thoughts of what might have been after the agony of losing on penalties to West Germany - but they bowed out with great credit despite being beaten by Italy in the third-place play-off in Bari.

    Both sides put on a far more entertaining game than the dreadful final between the Germans and Argentina the following night in Rome, on a night that marked the end of an era. Peter Shilton won his 125th and final cap for England - a record that still stands.

    A Shilton error allowed Roberto Baggio to give Italy the lead, but England equalised when Tony Dorigo's cross was met with a fine header by David Platt - who was soon to leave Aston Villa to make Bari his home. A late Salvatore Schillaci penalty ensured he finished as the tournament's top scorer, while England's consolation was Fifa's Fair Play Award.

    It was a moment English football fans might have been wise to savour - their team wouldn't play another World Cup finals match for eight years.

  8. Brazil backs Germanypublished at 15:43 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Germany Brazil flagImage source, @JasonMohammad/Twitter

    BBC Sport's Jason Mohammad:, external "For sale in Rio today. I think Brazil has decided who it wants to win the World Cup."

  9. Brazil v Netherlands (21:00 BST)published at 15:36 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Some more stats ahead of tonight's game:

    This is the fourth time Brazil have been involved in the third-place play-off. They have two wins (1938 and 1978) and one defeat (1974) from the previous three.

    Brazil have scored 11 goals and conceded 11 at this tournament. They have never let in more than 11 at a World Cup, having also done so in 1938.

    Brazil have had more shots (76) than any other country at this World Cup.

    Julio Cesar, David Luiz and Marcelo have featured in all 570 minutes of Brazil's 2014 World Cup campaign.

    Marcelo has created 10 goalscoring chances for Brazil - only Neymar (13) has managed more for the hosts.

    Maxwell is the only outfield player yet to feature for Brazil.

  10. Standing up for the third-place play-offpublished at 15:28 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    EusebioImage source, Getty Images

    Portugal overcame the disappointment of losing to England in 1966 to record their best performance at a World Cup by beating the Soviet Union at Wembley and finishing third.

    Eusebio cemented his status as the tournament's top scorer with a first-half penalty (pictured) in a 2-1 win, in front of a crowd of 87,696.

  11. Postpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    BBC World Service reporter John Bennett, external is in Rio de Janiero ahead of tomorrow's World Cup final between Germany and Argentina: "Walking around Rio, I would be very surprised if there are any 20-50 year old men left in Argentina. They are all here. It's a take over."

  12. Standing up for the third-place play-offpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Nelinho

    Brazil's Nelinho scored one of the most memorable goals seen at a World Cup finals with a marvellous curling, swerving shot as Italy were beaten 2-1 in the 1978 third-place play-off in Buenos Aires.

    It was some consolation for the Brazilians, who had to settle for third place despite being the only unbeaten team at the 1978 tournament.

  13. Get involvedpublished at 15:21 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    We've asked who you think deserves to win the Golden Ball. Get involved by text on 81111 (UK users only) or via Twitter using #bbcworldcup

    Alan Mackie:, external Got to agree with what seems like the majority. Muller is the star man of the World Cup for me, narrowly pipping Rodriguez.

    Maria:, external Javier Mascherano. It's how consistent and vital the performance on the pitch is not the headlines that matter.

    Chukwuma W. Okwoli:, external Golden ball? Muller. Golden boot? Muller. Tomorrow's score? #Ger 6-0 #Arg. Muller to score a hat-trick. You heard it here first

  14. Guy Mowbray Q&Apublished at 15:20 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    BBC TV commentator Guy Mowbray will be doing a question and answer session shortly on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

    You must have loads of questions you'd like to ask Guy, so why not put your best one forward? We'll pick a selection for him to answer.

    Watch live uninterrupted coverage of the World Cup Final on BBC 1 and online this Sunday from 19:00 BST and listen to coverage on Radio 5 live.

  15. Postpublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Some facts and figures on Netherlands to chew over...

    This is the second time Netherland have been involved in the third-place play-off. They lost 2-1 to Croatia in 1998 having lost to Brazil on penalties in the semi-final.

    The Dutch scored 11 goals during their three groups matches but have managed just one in three knock-out games.

    Ten of the Netherlands' 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time; the last four have come after the 75th minute.

    For the second time, after 1974 and 1978, Netherlands will finish in the top four in consecutive World Cups.

    Only Karim Benzema (15) has had more shots on target than Robin van Persie (10) in this World Cup, but the Dutchman is yet to score in the knock-out stage.

    Michel Vorm is sole player within the Dutch squad yet to make an appearance at this World Cup.

  16. Get involvedpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    We've asked who you think deserves to win the Golden Ball. Get involved by text on 81111 (UK users only) or via Twitter using #bbcworldcup

    Col:, external Mascherano is an understated giant.

    Osama:, external James Rodriguez should win it simply on the strength of his goal contribution and influence on the team.

    Patrick Hughes:, external Golden Ball has to go to James Rodriguez - best player all tournament.

  17. Lehmann: German experience is keypublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Jens Lehmann believes Germany's experience will give them the edge in Sunday's final against Argentina

    The former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper told Fifa.com: "Germany have got greater strength in depth and we've got more players who play at the highest level every year.

    "You only need to look at the kind of big international games the Bayern players have been involved in over the last few years. That makes a huge difference because you gain a lot of experience from those sorts of encounters."

  18. Standing up for the third-place play-offpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Just FontaineImage source, Getty Images

    France striker Just Fontaine set an all-time record for the most goals scored during a World Cup finals tournament with a little help from a third-place play-off.

    Fontaine had scored nine goals - two short of the record set by Hungary's Sandor Kocsis in 1954 - when losing semi-finalists France went into their meeting with West Germany to decide third place.

    The striker scored four times in a thrilling 6-3 victory in Gothenburg to take his tally for the tournament to 13 - a record that stands 56 years on.

  19. Postpublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Rio Ferdinand
    former England defender and BBC Sport pundit

    On Twitter:, external Bit of prep work for the World Cup Final. How do you stop Messi? How do you get at the Germans? Are Argentina a one-man team? Who will win?

  20. Lehmann hails Neuer as the best in the businesspublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 12 July 2014

    Jens LehmannImage source, Getty Images

    Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is confident Germany will triumph in Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina - thanks to current stopper Manuel Neuer.

    Lehman told Fifa.com:, external "He's had a perfect World Cup so far. He's without doubt the best goalkeeper there is at the moment and I'm especially pleased about one thing he does.

    "Back when I was a player I think I was one of the first keepers to play in the style he's been so successful with today. A lot of people called me crazy when I did it, which makes it all the nicer to see that I was actually on the right track."