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90' |
|
Endgame Summary:
A great result for Argentina. The early goal by Higuaín ended up being the only thing separating the two sides. A great run by Belgium was ended by a tournament favorite who will face off in the semifinals for a right to play for the trophy. A great effort from the Belgium side but they just couldn't find a way through. De Bruyne and Lukaku both made chances for their side but Messi and his side showed they were superior. The next match will be just as exciting! |
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90' |
|
Full-Time |
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90' |
|
Witsel with just about the equalizer! After Lukaku's cross gets deflected, Witsel takes a strike that sails over the crossbar. |
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90' |
|
Plenty of time-wasting strategies by Argentina. It might not be in the cards for the trailing side. |
|
90' |
|
Five minutes left for an equalizer, or perhaps a double for Argentina! |
|
88' |
|
Fellaini with a great play but cannot manage to find anyone in the box. Argentina has dropped back deep and allowed Belgium to play balls into the box. They just aren't finding anything. |
|
86' |
|
A poor corner from De Bruyne really, Belgium is running of out time. Six offsides calls for Belgium to Argentina's one. That's been the difference in the chances created. |
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85' |
|
De Bruyne just about with the equalizer! The ball falls to his foot and rips a shot towards the box. Belgium has a corner now. This is one of their last real chances! |
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83' |
|
Just about a second goal for Argentina, Messi whips a pass into the box and it just can't connect with anyone. Belgium are trying to press forward once again with desperation. |
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81' |
|
Higuaín gets a stark applause as he comes off. The goal-scorer will be satisfied if this lead holds for his side. |
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81' |
|
Substitution (in) Argentina -> Fernando Gago |
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81' |
|
Substitution (out) Argentina -> Gonzalo Higuaín |
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79' |
|
Just about ten minutes left in the match and the early Argentina lead is holding. This just looks like Argentina's day. |
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76' |
|
Eden Hazard coming off. After a disappointing match, he's been sent off for Chadli. Maybe this will be the change Belgium need. |
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75' |
|
Substitution (in) Belgium -> Nacer Chadli |
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75' |
|
Substitution (out) Belgium -> Eden Hazard |
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75' |
|
Lucas Biglia (Argentina) is shown a yellow card
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|
74' |
|
Argentina are still holding on. They have manages to keep things together even as Belgium are pressing. They'll have to hold on for another fifteen minutes. |
|
71' |
|
Substitution (in) Argentina -> Rodrigo Palacio |
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71' |
|
Substitution (out) Argentina -> Ezequiel Lavezzi |
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70' |
|
It's amazing, every time Messi touches the ball, Belgium rushes towards him deliberately. He has made his presence known in the match. Still time for a Belgium strike. |
|
68' |
|
Toby Alderweireld (Belgium) is shown a yellow card
A synical challenge by Alderwald, just a bit high. Argentina on the reset. |
|
67' |
|
There's been plenty of possession for Belgium in this second half and the crowd is starting to make some noise to support the Argentinians. |
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64' |
|
Time is starting to be an enemy for the trailing team. They're still looking for something in this one. |
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62' |
|
Another decent chance from Fellaini who tries to head the pass on to his team but the linesmen had his flag up for offside. Argentina look susceptible. |
|
61' |
|
Just about an equalizer from Marouane Fellaini! The direction of the ball could be a bit better but it was paced excellently. That was a chance! |
|
60' |
|
Mertens and Lukaku make their way onto the pitch, they'll try to make his presence known in the next thirty minutes. |
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60' |
|
Substitution (in) Belgium -> Dries Mertens |
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60' |
|
Substitution (out) Belgium -> Kevin Mirallas |
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59' |
|
Substitution (in) Belgium -> Romelu Lukaku |
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59' |
|
Substitution (out) Belgium -> Divock Origi |
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57' |
|
The Belgium side has managed to stay in striking distance despite a number of chances for Argentina. A change is about to come for the losing side. |
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55' |
|
Higuaín just misses the second goal of the match! He manages to play the ball through Kompany's legs and only has Courtois to beat. The striker's second shot grazes over the upper cross bar. |
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54' |
|
For just about five minutes Argentina have attacked but finally, Courtois starts the counter attack for Belgium. |
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53' |
|
Eden Hazard (Belgium) is shown a yellow card
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52' |
|
A cross from Lavezzi just misses everyone in the box. He puts a gorgeous cross in but can't find anyone in the box. La Albiceleste are continuing to press forward and Belgium look a bit under pressure. |
|
51' |
|
Argentina's counter was cut out by the Belgium defense but the leading side are still pressing forward after a quick throw in. |
|
50' |
|
Here comes Belgium with the first attack of the second half. Vertonghen finds a bit of space but the pass is deflected out of bounds. |
|
48' |
|
La Albiceleste had a chance after a decent free kick was taken by Messi but he fails to connect with anyone in the middle of the box. |
|
47' |
|
A quick start from Argentina! They've already begun to buildup in the midfield reminiscent of the beginning of the first half. |
|
46' |
|
Second Half begins |
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45' |
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Halftime Summary:
After just eight minutes, Argentina was up in the match. The lead has held up until halftime. Although Belgium have not played poorly, they have not had enough to get through. Argentina had plenty of chances to double their lead but La Albiceleste couldn't find the right spot. Belgium may have to find some new inspiration by way of their bench, which has scored four of their six World Cup goals to this point. They will need something in the second half if they want to continue their finals aspirations. |
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45' |
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Half-Time |
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45' |
|
Not enough inspiration from Hazard to try and play a pass through and there are just a few more seconds left until the halftime whistle. |
|
45' |
|
Just two minutes of extra time and Belgium are trying to find a way through! |
|
44' |
|
Belgium tried to build up just before the half but Argentina manages to prevent the pass from getting through. Now Argentina is back on possession and pressing. |
|
42' |
|
Just a fraction off for Kevin Mirallas! After a set piece, Mirallas gets his head to the pass and launches it towards the goal. Romero is safe because the header was just wide of the post. |
|
40' |
|
Messi lines up a great free kick that sails over the wall and just misses the upper right corner. Belgium were probably holding their breath. |
|
38' |
|
Argentina are trying to press forward now after Belgium were on the ball for a few moments. Their buildup has started from the right flank and Messi finally draws a penalty on the edge of the penalty area. |
|
35' |
|
A battle in the midfield but Belgium are continuing to press forward but they just haven't found the right pass into the box. Hazard has done little on the ball so far, they just need a bit more. |
|
33' |
|
Substitution (in) Argentina -> Enzo Pérez |
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33' |
|
Substitution (out) Argentina -> Ángel Di María |
|
32' |
|
Despite the fast start, it looks like La Albiceleste are subject to a equalizer. Unfortunate for Ángel Di María, who after trying to continue playing, has come off the pitch. |
|
31' |
|
After a short break, the winger is coming back on to the pitch. He was a bit shaken up bit looks like he can continue. |
|
29' |
|
But Argentina strike back quickly, Di María finds space behind the Belgium line, cuts back into the left of the box and rips a shot towards Courtois. Kompany gets a leg in front of the shot but now the Argentinian striker is on the pitch, injured. |
|
28' |
|
Another great shot from De Bruyne! This time Romero gets in front of it but had the deflection fallen to his teammates, they may have equalized. |
|
26' |
|
Belgium have still pressed on and are making lots of progress. After a fast start, Argentina seems to have slowed their attack and have looked a bit vulnerable. |
|
22' |
|
A good flick on from Di María that just misses his teammate in the box. There would have been plenty of space for his team had the ball reached him. |
|
21' |
|
Eden Hazard tried his best to split two defenders and gets brought down, the whistle isn't blown but it's his first real touch on the ball. |
|
19' |
|
After a hard start from Argentina, Belgium have found their way into the match well but are still behind so far. They are still pressing forward and making Argentina defend well. |
|
17' |
|
A great cross from Jan Vertonghen that makes the Argentina back line work but they clear the ball for a corner. |
|
16' |
|
Very little is going well for Belgium right now but they've found their way back on the ball. They are building up again. |
|
14' |
|
The first chance for Belgium! De Bruyne rips a shot from about 20 yards but the left footed shot. The midfielder can't really challenge Romero. |
|
12' |
|
What a great start from Argentina! But Belgium are still trying to find a way forward. The perfect strike from Higuaín is the only difference in the match. |
|
10' |
|
The tempo of the match has sped up since the goal. Belgium are going to have to look to get back in the match very quickly. The pro Argentina crowd has erupted since the Higuaín goal! |
|
8' |
|
Goooal for Argentina, 1:0 by Gonzalo Higuaín
A quick goal from Belgium! Messi does a bit of magic with the ball in midfield and the ball ends up on Higuan's foot. Courtois had no chance to get in front of the right-footed shot. Argentina are quickly up. |
|
6' |
|
The Belgium side have done a lot of defending in the beginning phases of the match. The favorites are continuing to play well as to this point but they still haven't found a way through. |
|
4' |
|
And Messi and his squad are still on the move. Di Maria cut to his left and ripped a shot towards the goal but Belgium manages to win a deflection. A solid start for the Argentines. |
|
3' |
|
Argentina have started well and Messi delivered a great pass to Lavezzi but Belgium manages to cut out the cross. They are still on the attack. |
|
1' |
|
And the ball is rolling on the pitch! |
|
1' |
|
Kick-Off |
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|
|
Nicola Rizzoli and his Italian companions are going to try and keep the match clean. |
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|
|
Whether the Brasil side will cheer for Argentina is left to be known. The two sides have plenty of scorn for each other but there has been plenty of hope that Argentina and Brasil would face off in the final match. Just a few minutes left to see who will get through the semifinals. South American and Europe face off in this quarterfinal match! |
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The winner of today's match will face off against the winner of Costa Rica-Netherlands later today for a chance to play in the semifinals. Argentina entered the tournament with plenty of support and plenty of promise, regardless of their recent form, they are still favored in the competition. Belgium will have to prove they deserve to play on beyond this weekend against a truly respected opponent. |
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|
|
Despite all their success in the World Cup, Argentina has not made it past the quarterfinals since 1990 when they lost in the finals to West Germany. If this team is to advance, they will have to play a complete match against a very young, but talented Belgium team. Look for the Argentinians to come out with plenty of inspired play early to try and set the pace of play. |
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After an exciting match against the United States, Belgium are prepared for yet another test but this one might be a bigger challenge than Belgium. Perhaps Adnan Lukaku will impose his powerful form over the game to take control as he did against the Americans. Argentina's defense will have to stay focused or they could be exposed. |
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Argentina have survived to this point, thanks largely to Lionel Messi. The diminutive striker will surely provide plenty of inspiration for his side tonight. Belgium have, thus far, lived up to their high expectations for themselves but there seems to be another gear they could reach against Argentina. Eden Hazard still hasn't shown the form he had for Chelsea but that could change today. |
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Today is the last day of quarter finals matches. The first match of the day is Argentina and Belgium shortly. Stay tuned here for constant updates on the exciting game! |
