How the referee called a foul on Higuain will forever be a mystery, my strong impression was that Neuer handled the ball outside the penalty box. Neuer should have been yellow carded and a free kick awarded to Argentina.

○ Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain Injury - Watch
Germany's Manuel Neuer Foul Argentina Forward (Video+Photos)

In the Brazil v Netherlands match, the referee also made poor calls. The early foul on Arjen Robben was outside the box and the defender should have been red-carded. The second Dutch goal, the right winger was off-side before he crossed the ball into the goal area. The foul by Dutch defender Blind should have been a penalty, the same with the foul on Robben later in the game. The Brazilians should have been eliminated by Columbia, it was an awful weak side. Best defense of this World Cup was the Argentinian side, the Dutch reached their max of their ability (FIFA ranking nr. 15).

Neuer played the ball and then collided with Higuain afterwards. There was no blind leap, he was intent on the ball at all times. This is perfectly legitimate. The entire basis of a lot of outfield tackles is that, once you have played the ball, any consequence of momentum from getting the ball is out of your control.

Schumacher made no such effort. He leapt at Batiston rather than made any attempt to play the ball, such was his intent that, when he jumped, he turned in mid-air to ensure injury was the only possible intent and result.

It's all the difference in the world.

As for the Kramer injury, I'm pretty sure that the Argentinian meant to hit the player with his shoulder, you could see him drop it prior to contact. But I doubt he intended or wanted such an injury. You just want to fire a warning shot just to intimidate, not brain the opponent and take them out. Which takes us back to Schumacher.

keep to the Fen Causeway