Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/341807
45 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 JULY 2014 SPORTTODAY Argentina 1. Sergio Romero, 4. Pablo Zabaleta, 15. Martin Demichelis, 2. Ezequiel Garay, 23. Jose Maria Basanta,6. Lucas Biglia, 14. Javier Mascherano, 22. Ezequiel Lavezzi 71', 10. Lionel Messi, 7. Angel di Maria 33', 9. Gonzalo Higuain 81' Subs 12. Agustin Orion, 3. Hugo Campagnaro., 5. Fernando Gago 81', 8. Enzo Perez 33', 11. Maxi Rodriguez, 13. Augusto Fern- andez, 17. Federico Fernandez, 18. Rodrigo Palacio 71', 19. Ricky Alvarez, 20. Sergio Aguero, 21. Mariano Andujar Belgium 1. Thibaut Courtois, 2. Toby Alder- weireld, 15. Daniel Van Buyten, 4. Vincent Kompany, 5. Jan Vertong- hen, 8. Marouane Fellaini, 6. Axel Witsel, 11. Kevin Mirallas 59', 7. Kevin De Bruyne, 10. Eden Hazard 75', 17. Divock Origi 59' Subs 12. Simon Mignolet, 3. Thomas Vermaelen, 9. Romelu Lukaku 59', 14. Dries Mertens 59', 16. Steven Defour, 18. Nicolas Lombaerts, 19. Mousa Dembele, 20. Adnan Januzaj, 22. Nacer Chadli 75', 23. Laurent Ciman, 13. Sammy Bossut Argentina reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990 with a 1-0 win over Belgium and another good performance from Lionel Messi in Brasilia on Saturday Argentina .............. 1 Belgium ................. 0 THE side coached by Alejandro Sabel- la were lucky to get on the right track early on, with a goal from Gonzalo Higuain just eight minutes into the game at the Estadio Nacional, and they generally appeared to have the match under control. Argentina made the most of the fact that Belgium left space at the back for Messi, Angel Di Maria before he went off injured and a revived Gonza- lo Higuain to move around in the danger zone. Eden Hazard underperformed for Belgium, although Marc Wilmots' men created some chances off crosses from Jan Vertonghen and Kevin De Bruyne. The winner of the Netherlands v Costa Rica in Saturday's later quarter- final will face Argentina in the semi- final. The decisive goal came as Messi tried to make a pass to Di Maria and the deflection off Belgium defender Vertonghen left the ball to Higuain. A great right-foot shot from the Na- poli striker appeared to take keeper Thibaut Courtois by surprise on the way to the net. Argentina continued to charge into Courtois' box regularly, while Bel- gium appeared harmless. Even Di Maria's exit from the pitch in the 33rd minute did not seem to destabilize the two-time world champions. The Real Madrid winger appeared to have suf- fered an injury to his right thigh and left his place to Enzo Perez. Higuain, who had come under fire for poor performances during the World Cup so far, was clearly moti- vated by his first goal in his last six matches with Argentina. He was very active, constantly moved behind the defence and kept Belgium's back line very busy to be deservedly named man of the match. Messi sent a free kick high in the 38th minute and a cross that closed in on the goal and prompted a deflec- tion from Courtois eight minutes into the second half. In the 54th minute, a good effort from Higuain hit the crossbar. Belgium coach Marc Wilmots tried to shake up his team on the hour, bringing on Romelu Lukaku to re- place Divock Origi after the 19-year- old striker - who became the youngest player to start a World Cup quarter- final since Pele - failed to have an im- pact on the game. A good header from Marouane Fel- laini off a Vertonghen cross went high and a low cross from Kevin De Bruyne was deflected towards goal by Argen- tina centre-back Ezequiel Garay, but Sergio Romero produced the required save. Courtois contained Messi's injury- time shot after a good run in extra time, and Belgium kept up the tension to the last, but Argentina defended resolutely to come out on top at the final whistle. Belgium's young side can be proud of their performances and achieve- ments in Brazil as a springboard for Euro 2016 and beyond but it is Argen- tina who can look forward to a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Argentina reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990 with a 1-0 win over Higuain goal sends Argentina into first semi-final since 1990 Gonzalo Higuain (R) of Argentina celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FIFA World Cup 2014 quarter final match between Argentina and Belgium. Photo by EPA/PETER POWELL Nacer Chadli of Belgium reacts at the end of the match. Photo by EPA/PETER POWELL