EUROPEAN rivals France and Germany will kick off the quarter final stage of the World Cup at Rio de Janeiro’s storied Maracana on Friday.

Germany and France will look to shrug off stumbling wins in the second round.

In the day’s other game, hosts Brazil will take on a resurgent Colombia at Fortaleza, with Brazil hoping to keep alive their quest for a sixth World Cup title and Colombia aiming to extend their best-ever run in football’s showcase event.

Friday’s action will be followed by two contests on Saturday — Argentina-Belgium and Netherlands-Costa Rica.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2014