The group stages have concluded in one of the most exciting and high-scoring World Cups ever held, and the first batch of knockout games are underway.
Which Side Does FIFA 14 Predict To Win Netherlands vs Mexico Match?
As has been the case through the tournament, I have been simulating the fixtures using FIFA 14's World Cup mode, which is updated to reflect the form and performances of each squad. The simulations for Colombia vs Uruguay and Brazil vs Chile both predicted the correct winner--though the wrong game went to penalties.
I simulated the result for Netherlands vs Mexico, which is currently underway, and have now moved on to the second match between Costa Rica and Greece. It's a surprise that either team made it to this stage of the tournament, particularly Costa Rica. The Central American side qualified through one of the toughest groups in the tournament featuring three World Cup winning nations, but came out on top through some great performances.
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That's why the 1-0 Greece win predicted by the sim is surprising--and a bit disappointing for this Cinderella run. The Greeks squeaked through their group with some underwhelming performances, but FIFA 14 thinks they will come out on top again today through its solid defensive style and hit-and-run attack. Samaras scored just 6 minutes in, and his side was able to turtle up and defend for the rest of the match.
My simulation featured two AI-controlled sides on Legendary difficulty facing off against one another, using the squads expected to start the game. There may be one or two differences in the selections or the way the team lines up, but these were approximations that are as close to likely as possible. Tune in later at 4 p.m. ET to see how accurate FIFA 14's prediction is.