ARGENTINA V BELGIUM

0' Third of four semifinal spots on the line here, and both teams needing extra time in the earlier round to earn their spot here today. Argentina are the heavy favorites here today. Belgium should be able to find opportunity in attack, but they'll have to finish much better than they did against the USA.

8' Dream start from Argentina, its a deflection off a pass that falls to Higuain who half volleys it into the side netting. Its a beautiful strike, and the Belgian keeper is caught staring in disbelief. The Belgians start well otherwise, but the Argentines finding a lot of open space on the counterattack.

30' Belgium continuing to play well, finding plenty of space in midfield, and even a few threatening shots on goal, but so far Argentina defending well, and looking dangerous on the counterattack themselves. Belgium doing what they have to do to get back in this game, and the counter is just a risk they have to take at the moment.

45' Still only the one goal at the half, but Belgium playing well, and certainly look capable of equalizing. Argentina doing a good job defending thus far, and seem content to sit back and strike on the counter. Should be more of the same in the second half.

70' Belgium still unable to crack the Argentine defense. Not without opportunity though, but so far Romero saving the shots he's needed to. Belgium have made a habit of scoring late though, and they'll certainly turn up the pressure here in the final minutes. Argentina haven't looked the strongest in defense, but they also look very dangerous on the counter. No reward in playing for goal differential though, and Belgium need a goal to keep their tournament on.

Final' Well its all over, the early goal enough to see Argentina through to their first semifinal since 1990. Plenty of drama in the final minutes, as Belgium turn on the attack, and Argentina for the most part content to sit back and defend. They were lucky a stray ball didn't ever find its way onto the foot of a Belgian striker. Messi nearly sealing it with a goal but a brilliant save by Courtois to keep his team in the game, and a few seconds later a brilliant last chance opportunity for Belgium but unable to score. Argentina deserve to win this one, playing the better match.