2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Predicts Germany to Rise As Champions

Using the award-winning EA SPORTS™ football engine that drives EA SPORTS 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, EA was able to simulate the 2014 FIFA World Cup and test all 32 teams under the same conditions they will face in the weeks ahead in Brazil. It was determined that Germany will defeat Brazil 2-1 (ET) at the Estádio do Maracană on July 13 to win the country’s fourth FIFA World Cup, becoming the first European nation to win the FIFA World Cup on South American soil.

Four years ago, EA SPORTS accurately predicted that Spain would prevail as the tournament champions. Should fans disagree with the predicted result, they can make their own FIFA World Cup predictions using the new EA SPORTS FIFA World Cup interactive bracket available here. Alternatively, fans looking to follow the tournament can print the EA SPORTS 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ tournament bracket available here.

EA SPORTS 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, the officially licensed videogame of the World Cup, predicted the following outcomes:

• World Champion: Germany
• World Cup Final: Germany 2 Brazil 1 (extra-time)
• Golden Boot winner: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (Brazil), 6 goals
• Golden Ball winner: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
• Best Goal: Andrés Iniesta vs. England

In the EA SPORTS simulation, the Final itself was an epic battle as Brazil squared off against Germany in a repeat of the 2002 World Cup Finals. The Brazilian ‘samba boys’ got off to an impressive start, overwhelming Germany with their skill, speed and free-flowing football. The early pressure paid off as Neymar found space behind the German backline and beat Manuel Neuer one-on-one, making him the tournament’s top scorer in the process (6 goals). As the game continued, the resilient Germans settled down and began to find their rhythm. Late in the match, Per Mertesacker would equalize for Germany with a towering header from a well-delivered Mesut Özil corner. Brazilian dreams of a fairytale finish were crushed in extra-time when substitute Miroslav Klose reacted first to a loose ball and scored from close range, writing himself into the history books as the FIFA World Cup’s all-time top scorer (16 goals). With the win, Germany claimed their fourth World Cup.

Germany’s path to FIFA World Cup glory included a tight 2-1 quarter-final victory over Argentina and a 5-4 penalty shootout semi-final win over defending champions Spain. Brazil’s journey to the final included a come from behind 4-3 penalty shootout win against Uruguay and a 1-0 semi-final win over Portugal where a late Neymar goal was the difference.