Lionel Messi’s Argentina stormed into the semifinals of the World Cup following a hiatus of 24 years after they edged past an off-colour Belgium 1-0 in the third quarterfinal at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia yesterday.
The difference between the two-time world champions and the country who has only ever played in one previous semifinal and that too against Argentina in 1986 was evident in the tactics and experience. Belgium never really threatened Argentina like they had done in their round of 16 clash against USA. The European side required something special to overcome a team who were backed on by a boisterous crowd of around 68,000, most of whom were supporting Argentina. Belgium were missing firepower upfront and were beaten accordingly.
Argentina’s intention was clear from the word go as Messi and Co’s wide angled run towards the Belgium goal provided Vincent Kompany’s men barely any time to settle down. The Albiceleste adopted a 4-4-2 formation and Belgium had to track back to thwart the runs of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel di Maria and, of course, the indomitable Messi.
Argentina made two changes at the back with Jose Maria Basanta replacing the suspended Marcos Rojo at left-back while veteran Martin Demichelis came in for Federico Fernandez at the middle of defence.
The Red Devils’ fort was breached in the seventh minute of the game by a rejuvenated Gonzalo Higuain. Messi launched one of his typical mesmerising runs in the right flank of midfield and tapped the ball forward to Di Maria with the outside part of his boot. Di Maria’s drive deflected off Jan Vertonghen’s feet and bounced in front of an unmarked Higuain who showed his craftsmanship to thump the ball into the far post.
Although Belgium had their share of possession in the following 20 minutes, they hardly tested goalkeeper Sergio Romero as Eden Hazard, Daniel Van Buyten and Divock Origi continuously lost possession at the edge of the Argentine D-box. Romero was not called into action until the 35th minute when he effortlessly parried away a 25-yarder from Kevin de Bruyne.
Despite being ahead, Argentina suddenly received a scare in the 37th minute when Di Maria pulled his hamstring after unleashing a fierce drive towards goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois which was blocked at the last moment by Kompany. Midfielder Enzo Perez replaced him but was unable to replicate Di Maria’s brilliant runs towards the Belgium territory.
Belgium’s best chance came their way in the 42nd minute when Vertonghen whipped in a cross from the left flank and Kevin Mirallas powered a neat header just wide of Romero’s right-hand post.
Meanwhile, Argentina decided to go slow and concentrated on keeping possession rather than trying something ambitious. Coach Alejandro Sabella was seen shouting at his charges as he directed them not to concede possession.
Higuain however had nobody apart from himself to blame in the 55th minute when he made his way through the Belgium defence and with only the helpless Courtois standing under the woodwork, the Napoli star fired a shot which, before going out, kissed the crosspiece.
Belgium coach Mark Wilmots inserted Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens in search of the equaliser but the much-talked about Belgian offence continued to fall short of the required standard. In the 75th minute, Eden Hazard, considered by many as one of the best players in the Belgian squad, made way for Nacer Chadli after a disappointing game by his standards.
In the 85th minute, De Bruyne’s 20-yard shot deflected inches wide of the side post while five minutes later Chadli placed the ball into the hands of Romero. In the final minutes of the game Messi came agonisingly close to his fifth goal of the tournament only to be denied by an onrushing Courtois. Axel Witsel’s volley in the very next minute was the Belgians’ final effort as they once again failed against the Argentines in the business stage of the tournament.
