Argentina's Javier Mascherano celebrates his team's goal (scored by Gonzalo Higuain), as they defeated Belgium 1-0 to advance to the world cup semi-finals - photo Jamie Squire/Getty Images
By Patrick R. Anderson
Two more hurdles.
Two-time World Cup Champions Argentina, thanks to an early 8th minute goal from Gonzalo Higuain, beat highly rated Belgium 1-0 at the Estadio Nacional Garrincha in Brasilia on Saturday, to book their ticket to Wednesday's second semi-final of the 20th FIFA World Cup Championship.
Playing in front of 68,551 fans, more than the 68,009 capacity, Argentina was always in control of the match, with Belgium presenting no real scoring threat on a consistent basis.
The only goal came from the genius of Lionel Messi yet again, who started the move in the centre circle, dribbled and passed wide right to Ezequiel Lavezzi, who passed into the penalty box where a deflection sent the ball into Higuain's direction and his one time right footed volley from about 13 yards was enough for Argentina.
Although Argentina statistically had 51 percent possession, it did appear to be more dominant.
The Netherlands will face Argentina on Wednesday after an epic battle with cinderalla team Costa Rica of CONCACAF at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador in front of 51,179 people.
The match failed to produce any goals after regulation and extra time, with both goalkeepers, Jasper Cillessen of the Netherlands and Keylor Navas of Costa Rica making brilliant saves to keep their teams in the match. And when the keepers were beaten, shots were crashing off the crossbars.
But onto the penalties the teams went and the biggest move was made by Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal. He substituted his top goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul of Newcastle United. Krul is renowned as a penalty shot blocker.
Celso Borges got things going. Costa Rica 1. Then Robin Van Persie levelled things to make it Costa Rica 1, Netherlands 1. Then Tim Krul came into play. Bryan Ruiz went to his left, and Krul made the first stop. Costa Rica 1 of 2. Arjen Robben made no mistake to make it Costa Rica 1 of 2, and Netherlands 2 of 2. Geancarlo Gonzalez and Christian Bolanos kicked scoring penalties for Costa Rica, and so too did Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt. After 4-penalties each, it was Costa Rica 3, Netherlands 4.
Up stepped Michael Umana with the 5th kick to keep Costa Rica in the shootout. But his kick to the left was parried by Krul, and the Dutchmen won the penalty kicks 4-3 and took their place in Wednesday's semi-final against Argentina.
The 20th World Cup takes its third break and resumes on Tuesday with semi-final #1, Brazil versus Germany, followed on Wednesday by semi-final #2, Argentina versus The Netherlands.
HITZ92FM will have LIVE commentary of the matches, while TVJ will have the best pregame, halftime and postgame shows starting at 10am.
All feeds
