Today’s quarterfinals

Where: Rio de Janeiro Time: TV: ESPN2, Univision The buzz: No European team has won a World Cup in the Americas, but with two European countries meeting here, the continent is guaranteed at least one berth in the semifinals. Neither team has lost so far, although Germany sputtered to a first-round draw with Ghana, while France finished group play with a scoreless tie against Ecuador. France then rallied in the round of 16 to beat Nigeria in a game that was much closer than the 2-0 score would indicate, thanks to an own goal by Nigeria in stoppage time. Germany, in the quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive World Cup, struggled against its own African knockout-round opponent, going to extra time to beat Algeria. That uninspired performance has led to much worry back home, where coach Joachim Loew is coming under heavy criticism. Loew also has some tough lineup decisions to make. Does he start captain Philipp Lahm in the midfield or at right back? And what to do with Mesut Ozil and Mario Goetze, neither of whom has played well here? If those two continue to struggle, the French could be free to focus more attention on Thomas Mueller, who — with four goals and two assists — has been involved in six of Germany’s nine scores. Where: Fortaleza Time: TV: ESPN, Univision The buzz: This World Cup was supposed to sway to a samba beat with host Brazil showing off its brilliance. But so far it’s been Colombian cumbia that has people dancing in the street. While Brazil has struggled to reach this point, playing Mexico to a scoreless draw in group play, then needing penalty kicks to get past Chile in the round of 16, confident Colombia has played attractive soccer in winning all four of its games. James Rodriguez, who leads the tournament with five goals, has filled the sizable void left by the injured Radamel Falcao. And Colombia has proved capable of attacking from a number of formations, allowing it to change on the fly if things aren’t going well. Defensively, Colombia has given up just two goals in the tournament, but it hasn’t faced an attack on the level of Neymar-led Brazil, which needs a big game to get its title aspirations back on track. If the hosts don’t step up here, Colombia could end the country’s World Cup party early.