itsbeautifuloutside

Match Report

I like Argentina, now. I didn't when they beat the Netherlands in the 1978 final, but since then I think the xenophobia shown in this country after the Falklands war and then the 'hand of god' incident made me favour them. I once bought an Argentina shirt for training when the younger members of my team started going on about the 'Argies' around the 2002 World Cup when England were due to play them. I also like the fact that they wear stripes, which, despite what others may say, I think look like proper football shirts (but each to their own).

The Estadio Nacional in Brasilia looked really good on the TV, with it's steep looking stands, although the crowd being raised up at pitch side was a little odd looking.

Demichelis came into the Argentine defence, and for Belgium Origi was once again preferred to Lukaku, and Mirallas started.

Belgium started off on the front foot, taking the game to Argentina, but Argentina looked like they could step up and attack at any moment, and when they did they looked dangerous, Di Maria had a good chance and soon after, Higuain found himself on his own on the penalty spot with the ball, but couldn't get his feet sorted out and the chance was gone. All this in the first 5 minutes.

On 7 minutes Higuain spun and shot from the edge of the area as the ball bounced towards him and smashed it into the corner of the net. It was a fantastic goal which came from Kompany moving up field and losing the ball in the centre circle, Messi picked it up and did what he does best, he kept the ball and played a simple but effective pass to a team mate. Di Maria was actually trying to pass to Zabaleta who was running on the outside, but the ball took a defection off a Belgian defender, bounced to Higuain and his first time shot was brilliant.

The goal seemed to spur Belgium on but although they had a lot of the ball they lacked a quality final pass or shot. It was 25 minutes before they tested Romaro in the Argentine goal.

I love watching Messi, there's no fancy showing off, his play is effortlessly brilliant. Sadly the game isn't as captivating as a whole.

Around the 30 minute mark Di Maria had to go off, he seemed to have strained a thigh muscle shooting a couple of minutes earlier. He was replaced by Perez. Di Maria may not have been in the blistering form he showed for Real Madrid over the last season, but he does a lot of work and always carries a threat.

Close to the end of the first half Messi won a free kick on the edge of the area, but he hit it over the bar. Surprisingly Messi for once lost the ball in midfield and Belgium attacked, Mirallas came very close to equalising with a near post header.

We were watching this game round at my parents' house, and tea was served during half time. Although I'd eaten mine by the time the second half kicked off, my 16 month old niece was still throwing food at me, including chips she's nicked from my mum's plate, so I was a little distracted.

Belgium dared to have a bit of possession and forayed into Argentina's half, but it wasn't long before the South Americans took over again and Higuain had a shot defected past the near post. The next time Belgium made it up to the Argentina penalty area they lost the ball and Argentina broke, Higuain received the ball and ran at the defence, he nutmegged Kompany but saw his shot hit the bar.

With half an hour to go Lukaku replaced Origi, and Mertens came on for an unhappy looking Merallas. It seemed to spur Belgium on and Fellaini went close with a header. Belgium then had their best spell with a prolonged period of possession, but very few chances.

The game got a bit scrappy, niggly fouls and hurried shots, and not a lot of quality.

With ten minutes to go Higuain went off to a standing ovation. Argentina were happy sitting back and letting Belgium have the ball. Apart from a couple of chances and a goal mouth scramble, they didn't really take advantage.

In added on time, Belgium could, and maybe should have equalised and then Messi should have made it 2-0 after he broke and was one on one with the keeper. Neither happened and it ended 1-0. Argentina deserved the win but it wasn't the best game, and although Messi can win them games, and could take them to the World Cup the way Maradona did in 1986, they will miss Di Maria if he isn't fit enough for the semi-final.

OneBeat