There are no fairy tales at the World Cup.

After Costa Rica’s dramatic exit against the Dutch in Salvador we are left with the usual suspects to sort out who takes this World Cup home.

Between them Brazil, Germany and Argentina have won the title 10 times.

The Netherlands have been to the final on three occasions without claiming the prize. How Johan Cryuff’s 1974 team, which played like rock stars, ended up empty handed remains a national mystery for the Oranje.

Maybe, after coach Louis van Gaal’s touchline alchemy and ‘keeper Tim Krul’s penalty kick heroics against Los Ticos, this is finally their time to be the headline act.

Super sub Tim Krul and supercoach Louis van Gaal. Photo: Getty

What this World Cup has reinforced is that despite the promise of a new age in the sport, the old empires still rule.

Once again the Europeans and South Americans are left alone to claim the prize. 

The so called Asian Century may have arrived elsewhere, but in footballing terms it is dragging the chain. Asia was the only confederation not to have a team reach the last 16. Despite the pride many took in the Socceroos’ campaign, football in our region remains the poor relation.

When the legendary Roger Milla’s Lions of Cameroon charmed the world at Italia ’90, it seemed only a matter of time before the dawn of Africa’s footballing golden age. Nearly a quarter of a century on, we’re still waiting.

For Brazil, hopes of victory over Germany in their semi final took a battering the moment Neymar did against Colombia.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team had been built around the Barcelona Man’s artistry. Curiously, his absence seems to have liberated the nation from the crushing burden of expectation.

A nation despairs as Neymar is collected by Colombia’s Juan Camilo Zuniga. Photo: Getty.

Throughout the campaign the Brazilian team psychologist has been working overtime with a squad who seem to be carrying the dreams of the nation like they were walking with a piano on their back up Sugarloaf Mountain.

The absence of defender and captain Tiago Silva due to suspension only adds to the sense of resignation for the locals. They are no longer expected to win and win handsomely.

Which probably means they will. Expect the unexpected. It’s that kind of country.

For Joachim Loew’s Germany, this has been a no fuss campaign punctuated by the odd flourish.

Like they did to Australia in 2010, The Germans announced themselves in the opening fixture with a stunning performance, this time against Portugal.

The German approach to this campaign is encapsulated by the goal that won their quarter final against France: Toni Kroos’ perfectly weighted free kick, Mats Hummels’ outmuscling of his marker and placing a perfectly weighted head in the top corner.

German power and precision and its finest. Will it be enough against Brazil?

Toni Kroos displays German power and precision. Photo: Getty

For Argentina, Lionel Messi remains the heartbeat of the nation.

Messi is attempting to reprise Diego Maradona’s all conquering 1986 campaign by leading Argentina back to the promised land.

The diminutive playmaker remains capable of deciding things on a whim, though he is finding the suffocating attention of his opponents a tougher task with each passing game.

Fortunately for him, striker Gonzalo Higuian announced himself as a suitable support act with his magic first-time strike against Belgium and his muscular performance throughout that quarter final.

Messi can’t do it on his own. Maybe now he won’t have to.

For the Oranje this is about finally claiming a seat at the big table. With Robben, Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder all firing anything seems possible. After Van Gaal’s substitution masterstroke destiny may be calling.

Then again, Cruyff’s rock stars thought the same thing in 1974.

Simply being good enough isn’t enough at the World Cup.

That’s one lesson everyone who has made it this far has surely learned.