Argentina held on to an early solitary goal scored in the 8 th minute by Higuain in sending the Red Devils home. For understandable reasons Argentina playing it safe preserved their energy for later matches of the contest in their search of third World Cup title.
Belgium however lacked imagination, lacked initiative and finished their otherwise successive mission with 0-1 defeat. In the dying minutes of the match Messi set free missed an opportunity failing to extend his goal tally. Playing with a hand brake Argentina got the result to take them safely to semifinal.
Argentina won three of their four encounters with Belgium, scoring 10 goals and conceding four. In the World Cup, they had one win each: Belgium were victors in the group stages of the 1982 edition (1-0) while Argentina won 2-0 in the semi-finals four years later thanks to a Diego Maradona brace.
Since the start of the 2010 World Cup, Argentina have won eight of their nine games in the competition, their only defeat coming in the quarter finals of the 2010 edition against Germany (0-4).
Argentina has won six of their last 19 World Cup games against European sides at the World Cup. It’s the third time in a row that Argentina has reached the quarter finals of the World Cup.
However, the Albiceleste have never gone further than the quarter finals since they reached the final in 1990. Argentina haven’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 (1-2 v Netherlands), 2006 (on penalties v Germany) and 2010 (0-4 v Germany
Argentina limped into the quarter-finals clinging to the coattails of Lionel Messi. He is their greatest strength, winning them four games near-single-handedly, but also their greatest vice: They relied on him far too much.
For Argentina it was a slow, cumbersome route to the quarter-finals, but is it truly possible to sniff at four wins in a row. While Argentina continued to underwhelm in search of their feet, it genuinely feels as though Belgium are moving through the gears. They're the clear form side of the tie, and that should translate into the early play.
The Red Devils haven't had a man to rely on solely as yet with Romelu Lukakuunderwhelming and Eden Hazard only impressing in spurts, but Divock Origi's impressive cameos appear to have coaxed the best out of Belgium's forward-thinking playing.
Belgium faced three successive low blocks during the group stage, restricting their movement and forcing them to think outside the box in terms of winning substitutions. But the USA gave them space to operate, and Argentina, via their inherent attacking tendencies through Di Maria, Messi and Co., will also open the pitch out.
The Red Devils may have flattered to deceive so far, but whenever the slightest portion of space has opened up, they've utilised it superbly. There's a chance this game is end-to-end, and Belgium have more in-form difference-makers in the final third than Argentina do.
First Half:
A very open match with teams raiding rival territories kicked off the match with electrifying speed. Over the first minutes attacks and counter attacks made the proceeding lively. Argentina took early lead in the very 8 Th minute and this time off all people through Higuain when Di Maria set him free (1-0).
Higuain looked much better in this match than the entire world cup. Perhaps this goal will give him spark. Spurred by early success Argentina tried to press the button in search of another goal. But Belgium did not sit deep and counter attacked whenever possible with Witsel, Fellani, Mirallas and De Bruyne working the buildup.
The early goal paved the way for Messi play a little bit subdued role with Di Maria and Higuain taking more initiatives relieving little Master sit deep and organize moves from own half . In 26 th minute De Bruyne tested Romero with a long drive. In counter attack Messi tried a solo dash but his impressive run failed to break the Belgian defence .Attacks and counter attack enlivened the match.
Di Maria picked in the 30 th minute an injury and Sabella promptly replaced him with Enzo Perez. This is what Scholari should have done in case of Neymar after Brazil scored the second goal. The tempo and momentum died down a little bit over the last quarter of the first half.
In 39 th minute Argentina got a free kick in a business area on the penalty area. A sizzling Messi free kick missed the target. A half time the Higuain goal separated the two sides. Argentina started well and got the early goal. But Belgian contested on equal footing. Belgians by no means looked nervous or out of place.
A pretty even contest. This match already witnessed better quality of football than the other two quarter finals played the previous day. The teams showed more urgency and purpose though after taking the lead Argentina was not taking additional risks after the Di Maria injury.
Argentina controlled the pace. They forced Belgium to play wide opening their territory. Messi moved from deep and was always on the lookout for creating opportunity for Higuain and co. Losing Di Maria impacted on the attacking partnership of Messi as Di Maria was doing all the penetrative dash early on.
Second Half:
Second half followed the pattern with Belgium attacking and Argentina only going for occasional counter attacks after defending doggedly. Messi engineered attacks had greater punch but Belgian attacks lacked bite. In 53 rd munte Higuain got a ball in the mid field made a quick solo run deep into Belgian territory but shot wide Higuain was looking better and better as the match was progressing.
But happy with solitary goal lead Argentina seemed was playing with hands brake on. A Fellani header in 60 th minute off a De Bruyne cross sailed over the bar. Belgians stepped up the tepmpo in desperate search of equalizer with 30 minutes left of the match.
But what is required to score against a superior side was just missing from Belgium .Lukaku coming in for Mirallas started threatening the Argentine defence. Argentina strategy at this stage of the game was not understood. Instead of siting deep and risking equalizer Argentina could press a bit and kill the match with a second goal. Belgians attack lacked coordination. In 75 th Minute an attempt missed.
By Dries Mertens (Belgium) right from outside the box just missed the target from a direct free kick. Another attempt a minute later blocked. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) from outside the box was also blocked.
Argentinian strategy to getting an early goal and defending worked as Belgium with lack of coordinated actions did not look like scoring. Argentina played safe winning yet another match went into the semi-final getting the result. Di Maria injury may create some concern as Aguero is still out of action reducing fabulous four to only two.
Argentina: S. Romero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, E. Garay, J. Basanta, E. Lavezzi ( Palaco) , Mascherano, L. Biglia, di María ( Perez) , L. Messi and G. Higuaín.( Gago)
Belgium: Courtois, Toby, Van Buyten, V. Kompany, Vertonghen,De Bruyne, A Witsel, Fellani , Miralas ( Mertens) ,Hazard and Oirgi.( Lukaku)
** Argentina confirm semi-final
BDST: 2149 HRS, JUL 05, 2014
