Only one week remains in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the action on the pitch is gaining intensity as the tournament reaches the semi-finals. This is the fourth edition of our highlights feature.

Here are the major talking points from week 4.

1 Semi-finalists decided

The fourth week of action has confirmed four teams that will compete for a place in the World Cup finale. Host country Brazil, Germany, Argentina and the Netherlands had to stave off challenges from Colombia, France, Belgium and Costa Rica respectively to reach the semis. It must be said that this year’s World Cup has regained its sanity, as it is the top guns that have taken over the spotlight.

2 Spare a thought for Costa Rica and Colombia

Costa Rica and Colombia were arguably among the best teams at the tournament, and deserve recognition. Colombia defeated Uruguay and tested Brazil right down to the last minute in their quarter-final game to go down 2-1, all this done without talismanic striker Falcao. After topping the group of death, Costa Rica went the full distance to penalties against Greece and the Netherlands in the knockout stages, finally losing to the latter. We will definitely miss the fighting spirit of both teams; it was fun while it lasted.

3 Neymar’s horrific injury

Brazil versus Colombia was a cagey and subdued affair as physical challenges limited stars from both teams. The game had seen a total of 54 fouls and it reached a peak when Neymar received a challenge that would rule him out of the rest of the tournament. Colombian Juan Zuniga put a knee into the young Brazilian’s back to crack the third vertebrae on the vertebral column. The challenge has come under increased scrutiny with Brazil legend Ronaldo saying “the challenge was a very violent one”.

4 Tim Howard’s stellar performance

The United States of America might have been knocked out by Belgium in the quarter-finals last week but their goal keeper Tim Howard might have put in arguably the best performance by a shot stopper in this World Cup tournament. Howard registered a jaw-dropping 15 saves — which is a World Cup finals record – in a match that went into extra-time. The performance duly earned him the man of the match award.

5 David Luiz’s free kick

If you had randomly asked someone who would score the first direct free kick for Brazil at this World Cup finals, David Luiz would not have been the immediate guess. Well, from 35 yards Luiz stepped up to deliver one of the goals of the tournament thus far to earn the man of the match award. The ball swerved and dipped before getting past the goal keeper. At the end of the match he expressed, “I hit the ball at the right point, it is difficult for the goalkeeper and I am happy for the team.”