Argentina in first World Cup semifinal in 24 years

                              It took twenty-four years, but Argentina have finally made it to their first World Cup semifinal since Italia 1990 after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Belgium at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia today 5/07/2014.

                            

Argentina and Belgium clashed in the third quarterfinal of this year’s World Cup with the South Americans looking to go one better than in their two previous appearances in 2006 and 2010 where they fell to the Germans at that same stage. The Belgians however were making their first quarterfinal appearance since 1986 when they made the semifinals and eventually finished fourth. It would be the South Americans who dominated the early possession with the Europeans having to defend for long periods. It wouldn’t take long for Argentina to take the lead though as a great ball played into the Belgian penalty area by Messi found Higuain who’s one time shot  from the top of the area beat Courtois in the Belgian goal to make the score 1-0 to Argentina in as early as the 8^th minute. It was the first time in the tournament that Belgium had found themselves trailing. Belgium would win a corner in the 14^th minute but the opportunity was wasted and the Argentine lead was preserved. Belgium would then get a chance to level the scores as a shot from De Bruyne in the 26^th minute forced Romero in the Argentine goal to make a save. In the 33^rd minute Argentina was forced to make a substitution as Perez replaced the injured Di Maria. In the 38^th minute Argentina won a free kick in the Belgian half as Messi went down just outside the penalty area under a challenge from Fellaini. His ensuing effort went just wide and the score line remained at 1-0. Belgium then had a great opportunity to get back in the game as a great cross played in the Argentine penalty area by Vertonghen was brilliantly headed by Mirallas whose effort just missed the near post. It would be the best chance for the Europeans in the half as the Argentines held on to their 1-0 lead at the interval.

At the resumption Argentina would win an early free kick, but Messi’s effort was squandered and the Belgians survived. The South Americans would then win their second corner, but a cross from Lavezzi would go a begging.  Eden Hazard would soon find himself in the referee’s book following a challenge from Higuain.  Another corner for Argentina would soon find Higuain who rattled the Belgian cross bar and Belgium survived once more. Marc Wilmots would soon make a switch in an effort to revive the fortunes of his Belgian side as he brought on Lukaku for Origi and Mertens for Mirallas.  In the 68^th minute Alderweireld was yellow-carded following a challenge on Biglia. A few minutes later Argentina would make another substitution as Palacio replaced Lavezzi. Belgium would then make another substitution as Chadli replaced Hazard in the 76^th minute. Gago would then replace Higuain in the 81^st minute as Argentina looked to preserve their lead. Belgium would still continue to battle on though as they forced a corner in the 85^th minute. But Lukaku was adjudged to be in an offside position and the Argentines survived the pressure. Belgium would then win a late corner but Romero in the Argentina goal came to his team’s aid. There was still time for the Belgians to get back in the game as the fourth official signaled five minutes of time to be added on. Messi then had a golden opportunity to seal Argentina’s place in the semis but Courtois denied the striker. In the end the South Americans held on for the win and their first trip to the semifinals since 1990.