FIFA World Cup 2014: Argentina advances to semi-finals

Quarter-finals clash between Argentina and Belgium at Estadio Nacional de Brasilia in Brasilia.
Argentina entered in their first World Cup semi-finals after 24 years gap. They will face Holland in the semi-finals. Gonzalo Higuain’s goal in the staring minutes advanced them to World Cup semi-finals. This was his first goal for the Argentina in this tournament. On the other side Belgium barely created any clear cut chances but not been able to convert their half chances into goal. Match ends with Argentina 1-0 Belgium.

Argentina coach Lejandro  Sabella said after the match that, “I feel he had a wonderful match.He sucks in three opponents to get the ball to team-mates. Every move he makes is a sign of hope to us and a danger to opponents. The influence he has on the pitch is decisive. A player like Messi receives the ball and almost never loses it. He draws three players. It’s water in the desert to us. Water in the desert .”

After being replaced in the 33rd minute due to thigh injury. He also added for Di Maria that, “The Real Madrid midfielder will undergo tests Sunday.We lost one player and hope it won’t be too much in the case of Angel.”
“He is vital to us, but the players played an excellent match from a tactical and strategic point of view: the idea of giving and not receiving in order to create a virtuous circle. We want more, but we lived up to the objective, which was to be a part of the final four of the best teams in the world.”

Tottenham Hotspur Jan Vertonghen said before the kick-off, “I think Messi has been outstanding so far in this tournament. He has been their main man. But if we defend like we did in our previous matches we will stop him.”

MATCH STATS:

Final scores :Argentina 1 (Higuain 8’):Belgium 0

Argentina (4-4-1-1): Romero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Basanta, Lavezzi (sub:Palacio, 71), Biglia, Mascherano, Di Maria (sub:Perez, 33), Messi, Higuain (sub:Gago, 81).

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois, Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen; Witsel, De Bruyne, Mirallas (sub:Mertens, 59), Fellaini, Hazard (sub:Chadli, 75), Origi (sub:Lukaku, 59).