Mexican and U.S. soccer fans suffered heartache this week after both teams made dignified exits from the 2014 World Cup round of 16. 

On Sunday, Mexico were leading 1-0 and just two minutes from beating Holland and advancing into the quarter finals  when the Dutch conjured up a last-minute tying goal. Amazingly, Holland added a second three minutes later in added-on time thanks to a dubious penalty call by the Portuguese referee.  The foul by captain Rafael Marquez on Arjen Robben was bitterly disputed by pundits after the game, with the Dutch striker being labeled a cheat for apparently diving deliberately to earn his team a penalty kick.

The United States-Belgium on Tuesday game finished 0-0 in regular time, largely thanks to a heroic performance by goalkeeper Tim Howard. The Belgians managed to scramble a winner in overtime, dumping a brave Team USA from a competition that finally caught the imaginations of millions of sports fans back home.

The eight quarter final games are Germany vs. France, Brazil vs. Colombia, Argentina vs. Belgium, Holland vs. Costa Rica.  They will be played Friday, July 4, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Saturday, July 5, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Semi finals are scheduled for Tuesday. July 8, 3 p.m. and Wednesday, July 9, 3 p.m. The final will be played in Rio de  Janeiro on Sunday, July 13, at 2 p.m.