10 most memorable moments of the World Cup quarter-finals

6. Higua-in!

Gonzalo Higuain had been a ghost so far in this World Cup, but against Belgium he took physical form. He scored the only goal of the game and almost added a second when he ripped a shot off the crossbar (more on that later).

Higuain managed to control a bouncing ball on the turn, finding the corner of the net behind Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. It was a tough finish because Angel di Maria’s pass took a slight deflection before coming to the Lazio striker.

It was Higuain’s first goal for his country since August 2013.

That in itself was cause for celebration.

7. Messi’s miss

Nerves in a World Cup quarter final can get the better of any player – even one of the best players in the world.

Lionel Messi proved that he is human after all, by failing to finish past Thibaut Courtois and add to his four-goal haul when through on goal.

Argentina were on the counter as Belgium threw men forward but Messi played his shot straight at Courtois. Some legends do have them!

8. Sabella’s comical fall

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella was overzealous in his response to forward Gonzalo Higuain hitting the bar against Belgium – leaning back too far in frustration and falling over.

Higuain had already put Argentina ahead after eight minutes with a fine turn and shot, but he went on a magnificent run before smashing a shot against the woodwork in the 65th minute.

Sabella reacted by closing his eyes and leaning back in frustration, but the 59-year-old lost his balance and ended up spinning and hurtling towards the dugout. He was caught by one of his backroom staff who prevented him from smashing into the plastic covering .

9. Van Gaal’s Krul call!

It was an unusual gamble reminiscent of Vincent Enyeama/Dele Aiyenugba swap during Enyimba’s CAF Champions League final triumph in 2004.

Louis van Gaal’s gamble paid off, too, after his change of goalkeepers earned the Netherlands a penalty shootout success over Costa Rica.

With the game goalless entering injury time at the end of extra time, Van Gaal removed Jasper Cillessen and sent on Tim Krul, who duly saved spot-kicks from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana to secure the Dutch a 4-3 victory on penalties and, with it, a semi-final date with Argentina in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

This was the first time at the World Cup that a goalkeeper came on as a sub solely for a penalty shootout.

Like Okey Emordi, like van Gaal!

10. Thrilling shootout

Celso Borges stepped up to take the first penalty and defied any idea of pressure, slotting it beyond the despairing grasp of Krul and into the back of the net. Robin van Persie made amends for his poor performance, as he beat Keylor Navas to make it 1-1.

Bryan Ruiz stepped up to the plate, with Krul playing mind games with the Costa Rica captain. The tactic paid off, as the Dutch keepers sprawled down to his left and turned the penalty round the post. Robben, who was easily one of the Dutch’s most dynamic players with Wesley Sneijder, sent Navas the wrong way to put Netherlands into the lead.

Sneijder, Christian Bolanos, and Dirk Kuyt all converted their respective penalties with calm, power and finesse to bring the score to 4-3.

Michael Umana, who needed to score to keep his team alive and pile on pressure for the Dutch, stepped up and sent his effort to his right. Krul dived well and clawed the relatively weak effort away to safety. Game over!