Former Italy football manager Cesare Prandelli on Tuesday immediately put behind him the disappointment of his country’s first round exit from the World Cup, signing a two year deal with Istanbul giants Galatasaray worth at least 2.3 million euros a year.

Prior to the Netherland’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, Robin van Persie is still waiting for his first goal in a knockout match at a major international tournament.

Fuelled by decades of hurt, Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Arjen Robben’s Holland will carry competing motivations into Wednesday’s tantalising World Cup semi-final showdown at Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena.

Joachim Loew expects his Germany side to face a battle against tough-tackling Brazil when football’s titans clash in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final with the host nation desperate to win the title for injured superstar Neymar.

Brazil and Germany collide in a heavyweight clash of continental superpowers here Tuesday as the World Cup semi-finals get under way.