Argentina beat Belgium to qualify for first semis in 24 years

Argentina are through to the World Cup semifinals for the first since 1990, after a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Brasilia.

The Albiceleste broke the deadlock early on, and managed to withstand everything the Red Devils threw at them. The two-time champions will play either the Netherlands or Costa Rica in the next round, while a disappointing Belgium are heading home.

It took less than eight minutes for Argentina to net the game’s only goal, with Gonzalo Higuain lashing an excellent volley inside Thibaut Courtois’ far post.

Belgium struggled to react to falling a goal behind, with Argentina successfully keeping them quiet with intense pressure inside their own half. It took 26 minutes before Belgium finally forced a save from Sergio Romero, who parried Kevin De Bruyne’s effort to safety.

Argentina continued to look threatening on the counter-attack, with Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria at the heart of all of their quick breaks. However, they lost the latter to a thigh injury just past the half-hour mark, just as Belgium began to look a little more dangerous in possession. They produced their best chance of the half in the 42nd minute, though Kevin Mirallas headed Jan Vertonghen’s cross just wide.

The second half kicked off with Argentina in the ascendancy once more.

Higuain’s low drive was narrowly deflected wide by Daniel van Buyten, before a cross from Ezequiel Lavezzi flashed dangerously across the face of Courtois’ goal. Fortunately for Belgium, no attackers were on hand to turn it in.

They had an even closer escape again minutes later, when a mazy dribble from the impressive Higuain saw him come face-to-face with the Belgian goalkeeper. However, the Lazio striker’s finish didn’t match the run, and his shot clipped the crossbar before going over. Belgium looked rattled, and struggled to get back into the game.

Belgium’s coach Marc Wilmots responded by throwing on attackers Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens, and within a minute they’d created their first chance of the half. Once again it originated on a deep cross from Vertonghen, though Marouane Fellaini’s powerful header cleared the bar.

Despite their late possession, Belgium failed to find an equalising goal, and would even have conceded late on were it not for a great Courtois save on Messi.

The Red Devils’ final chance fell to Axel Witsel in stoppage time, but his effort from distance went just over the crossbar.