Well, that was a bummer. Did anyone on the US Men’s National Team get the memo that Tim Howard wasn’t the only one who was supposed to give maximum effort? OK, that’s unfair to say. But for a good portion of the match with Belgium, Howard looked to be the only American soccer player interested in beating the Fighting Waffles. Or Fighting Chocolatiers, or Fighting Fancy Jewelers or whatever you can equate Belgium being good at.

Ugh. Chris Wondolowski, he’ll remember that miss for the rest of his life, and so will SportsCenter and most of the people skipping work to watch it. Clint Dempsey will wonder what he could have done with one more foot of space to notch a potential equalizer. Tim Howard publicly has already second-guessed how he missed that second goal.

For the second Cup in a row, the US are left begging in the Knock-out stages to a nation that doesn’t out-populate Texas. Ghana booted the US out in 2010 from the Knock-out round and also from the Group Stages in 2006 in a late heartbreaker. The US finally beats them, and now it’s Belgium, the smallest nation at the World Cup.

So, begrudgingly, we move forward. To only make picks when our favorite team is playing would be unsporting. So we bring the final eight teams to the table and see where the dominoes shake out.

Quarterfinals

Germany v. France 7/4 Noon
The Scoop: Germany needed to pull a rabbit out of its hat to beat tiny Algeria in extra time, where the game’s three goals were all scored. The Germans possibly were looking ahead to a matchup with France, which looked determined with a 2-0 win over Nigeria. No scoring in either match happened before the 79th minute.
Nick’s Pick is Germany 1-0. Germany made me nervous in the last game, but will do enough to get the win here.
Mike’s Pick is Germany 2-0. I see Germany scoring early, likely on a set piece by Thomas Muller, and adding a goal late from Miroslav Klose, who becomes the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer, passing Ronaldo of Brazil with 16 goals.

Brazil v. Colombia 7/4 4 p.m.
The Scoop: Brazil nearly were the second favorite to get knocked out, needing a penalty kick off the post by Chile to advance. The samba drums are still beating, but now with a little more caution. Colombia’s James Rodriguez continued to add zeroes his international checks, taking the World Cup lead with five goals after his double against Uruguay. There was no biting in the contest.
Nick’s Pick is Brazil 2-0. Still not picking against the home team.
Mike’s Pick is Brazil 3-2. This one will pick up if only because both teams play the same uptempo pace. Rodriguez will score again, but Brazil will have Newmar Jr. again dancing after a late game-winner.

Argentina v. Belgium 7/5 Noon
The Scoop: With all the attention given to Lionel Messi, Switzerland forgot to mark Angel Di Maria with just two minutes to go in extra time, moving the Argentines to the quarters. Messi had the assist on the play, and has shown throughout the tournament he is the finest in the world on the ball. Belgium outplayed the US for 91 minutes to open the game, the US for the final two minutes of regulation, then the Fighting Waffles scored twice and needed to hang on. Belgium has allowed just two goals this World Cup.
Nick’s Pick is Argentina 2-1. One of them has to win, might as well be the team with Messi.
Mike’s Pick is Argentina 2-0. Belgium showed they were vulnerable to counter-attacks from the US, and Argentina has the best on the planet led by Messi. They will get one on a counter and another late as the Fighting Chocolatiers show their weariness.

Netherlands v. Costa Rica 7/5 4 p.m.
The Scoop: The Dutch stole one against Mexico, 2-1, scoring both goals in the final six minutes, including an ultra-controversial penalty in the final minute. All is well for the orange, which look to reach the finals again after heartbreak in 2010 to Spain. Costa Rica continue to wear the Cindarella slippers, beating Greece on penalties.
Nick’s Pick is Costa Rica 2-2, advancing 3-2 on penalties. I’m sticking with Cinderella.
Mike’s Pick is Netherlands 2-0. Costa Rica is not Butler, and will not be able to escape against Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben, both of whom will score.

Semifinals

We both think Brazil v. Germany. Nick likes Germany to win this one 1-0 in extra time on a strike from Thomas Muller. Nick is not wavering from his original pick of Germany winning the whole thing. Mike is siding with the home-sided Brazilians, 2-1, with Neymar Jr. and Hulk scoring. Nick likes Argentina over Costa Rica 2-0, Messi gets a goal and steals the shoe from Cinderella. Mike likes Argentina over the Netherlands 2-1, Di Maria and Messi both score in the second half after Van Persie nets in the first half.

Finals

Nick has Germany v. Argentina and likes Germany to win it all for the fourth time. The Germans win 3-1, a championship 24 years in the making as the Germans look solid. Mike has Brazil v. Argentina and likes Brazil to hoist its sixth World Cup after a 3-2. Four goals in the first half has Brazil score all three, two from Neymar Jr. and one from Fred.