WORLD CUP MATCH REPORT: Argentina 1 Belgium 0
Argentina finally brought their World Cup quarter-final hoodoo to an end as they beat Belgium to reach the last four thanks to Gonzalo Higuain's early goal.
Higuain struck after eight minutes to give his side an early lead and despite second-half Belgium pressure – it was Argentina that progressed.
Argentina hadn't won any of their last four World Cup quarter-finals outright, going through on penalties against Yugoslavia in 1990 and being eliminated in 1998 by the Netherlands, 2006 on penalties versus Germany and 2010 also against the Germans.
But in a repeat of the 1986 World Cup semi-final with Belgium, where Diego Maradona scored twice as Argentina won 2-0, Lionel Messi and co saw off their European rivals.
Argentina had won only six of their previous 19 World Cup games against European opposition but in the heat of Brazil their progression never looked in doubt.
Argentina couldn't have asked for a better start to their last eight-contest as they went ahead after only eight minutes.
All of the talk before the game had been about the Argentineans being a one man team.
Star attacker Lionel Messi was involved in the build-up to the goal but it was Napoli striker Higuain who found the net.
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany needlessly gave the ball away in midfield, Messi dodged a couple of tackles, before finding Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria.
The Madrid man attempted to find Messi but the ball ricocheted into Higuain, who spun and volleyed past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - the Athletico Madrid stopper had previously been unbeaten in his last 21 international games.
It took Belgium 20 minutes to get going and suddenly the feel of the game changed as the European side dominated territory and possessions, forcing a series of corners – sadly all were poorly delivered by former Chelsea man Kevin De Bruyne.
On 26 minutes Belgium enjoyed their first chance of the game, De Bruyne testing Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero from distance but it was comfortably dealt with.
Argentina were now operating on the break and on the half hour Messi found De Maria with a delicious ball but the winger saw his shot blocked by Kompany as he cut back in – minutes later the Real Madrid man then limped off injured.
Belgium were the architects of their own downfall on 39 minutes as they needlessly bundled Messi over on the edge of their own penalty box – fortunately for them the little Argentinean was unable to take advantage and fired his free-kick over the bar.
Belgium seemed to be getting closer and closer to leveling and on 41 minutes Everton winger Kevin Mirallas saw his header fly inches wide of the near post.
Argentina were quickest out of the blocks after the break – Higuain driving into the box and cutting inside but he was unfortunate to see his goalbound shot deflected agonizingly wide of the post with the Belgian goalkeeper beaten.
While Messi sparkled for Argentina; Belgium's main man Eden Hazard was anonymous in the opening 50 minutes – he was booked on 52 minutes for a nasty challenge that could have been red.
It was Argentina again who came closest to scoring on 54 minutes – Higuain went on a lung busting run past multiple Belgian defenders, nicked the ball past Kompany but his effort, despite beating Courtois, crashed against the woodwork and went over.
Belgium created their first opening after the break as a great ball in from Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen was met on the run by Marouane Fellaini but the Manchester United midfielder could only direct his 60th minute header over the bar.
Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay was fortunate not to divert the ball into his own net on 65 minutes as he got a toe on a De Bruyne cross – he was relieved to see Romero grasp the ball at his near post.
The introduction of Romelu Lukaku ignited Belgium and his presence alone created an opening for De Bruyne but the midfielder was left frustrated as his shot deflected wide.
Tottenham winger Nacer Chadli had a late chance from a corner but the winger was crowded out from a tight angle on 89 minutes as Argentina survived.
Messi had a chance to seal the game three minutes into stoppage time but the Argentinean was frustrated one-on-one with Courtois.
Argentina suffered a nervy final few minutes as Belgium poured forward in search of an equaliser but the South Americans held firm despite considerable late pressure. Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Basanta, Biglia, Mascherano, Lavezzi (Palacio 71), Messi, Di Maria (Perez 33), Higuain (Gago 81).
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Federico Fernandez, Alvarez, Aguero, Andujar.Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Witsel, Mirallas (Mertens 59), De Bruyne, Hazard (Chadli 75), Origi (Lukaku 59).
Subs: Mignolet, Vermaelen, Defour, Lombaerts, Dembele, Januzaj, Ciman, Bossut.Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy).
