Higuaín Scores Winner For Argentina, Belgium Done

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Argentina faced Belgium today for the third quarter-final of the World Cup.  Both teams won in extra-time by a one goal margin; Argentina beating Switzerland 1-0 and Belgium beating the United States 2-1.  Against the United States Belgium were able to control possession and fire a birage of shots throughout the match.  However today against Argentina, Belgium struggled to get the offense clicking and only produced one shot on target.

Argentina scored early in the match thanks in part to some good fortune.  Di María intended to play a pass to Zabaleta making an overlap run, but the ball came off Vertonghen and deflected conveniently for Higuaín.  Taking the shot first-time out of the air, Higuaín scored the only goal of the first-half (8').

Argentina took a blow later in the half when Di María came out with an injury.  He took a shot that was blocked and came away holding his thigh.  He received some treatment and tried to continue, but quickly realized he was not fit.  Enzo Perez replaced Di María and Argentina's offense definitely lost a dimension.

Belgium made changes as the match went on and brought in Romelu Lukaku who was a positive substitute against the United States.  Argentina's defense held strong though and did not allow and clear chances for Belgium late in the game.

The Netherlands and Costa Rica play later today to determine who Argentina face in the semi-finals.  Costa Rica are the under-dogs, but teams from the Americas have been good this World Cup.

Belgium Top Russia With Late Goal

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Two late goals saved Belgium from defeat in their first match against Algeria.  Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens came in off the bench and each scored in the last twenty minutes to take the win away from Algeria.  Today against Russia, Fellaini and Mertens were in the starting line-up for Belgium.

Russia ended their first match in a 1-1 draw against South Korea.  Alexander Kerzhakov scored the equalizer for Russia, but started today's match on the bench.  Aleksandr Kokorin was the starting forward for Russia who struggled to impact the game.  Kokorin only had one real chance to score coming late in the first-half.  A header right in front of the Belgium goal was sent wide of the post and Kokorin did not see much of the ball after that.

Romelu Lukaku was again the starting forward for Belgium and again he was less than impressive.  Shortly after half-time he was replaced by Divock Origi and Belgium benefited from the change for a second straight match.  On a counter-attack Origi played Eden Hazard behind the Russian back line.  Hazard was able to turn the corner and played a return pass to Origi who scored with a first-time shot (88').

Some criticism must be made of the Russian coach Fabio Capello after today's match.  Russia was getting nothing out of forward Kokorin but he played the entire match.  Capello did make three changes in the match, but two of them were bringing in forwards Dzagoev and Kerzhakov with less then ten minutes left in the match.  With almost no time to get into the game it is not surprising Russia could not produce an equalizer.

Winning the first two games, Belgium have earned enough points to reach the knock-out round.  Belgium has a ton of talent, but so far they have no been able to really play as a team.  They have been able to get away with it so far, though the competition will only get better outside the group stage.