Higuaín Scores Winner For Argentina, Belgium Done

 1-0 

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

 1-0 

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.

Liverpool Win Merseyside Derby

 4-0 

Liverpool's attack was a non-stop onslaught today as the Reds hosted Everton in a Merseyside Derby.  Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge started at forward for Liverpool and together they gave Everton's defense all kinds of trouble.

Throughout the match Everton keeper Tim Howard had his hands full as Liverpool peppered the goal with shots.  Inevitably the goals came and captain Gerrard first found the net on a corner-kick.  Suarez delivered the corner-kick into the box and Gerrard won the header at the near-post to score (21').

Durring the corner-kick that put Liverpool ahead, Everton striker Romelu Lukaku went down with an injury.  Steven Naismith replaced Lukaku, but failed to make an impact on the match.

Daniel Sturridge then scored a pair of goals to stretch Liverpool's lead.  First Sturridge was played in-on-goal by a perfect pass from Coutihno.  The pass split two defenders and Sturridge had plenty of time to pick his spot (33').

Sturridge scored a second goal immediately after when Kolo Touré played him in-on-goal.  Touré smashed a ball forward from behind midfield that Sturridge was able to get onto and flick over keeper Howard coming off his line (35').

In the second-half Suarez added another goal to the Liverpool's tally with a terrific individual effort.  Suarez made a run with the ball from the midfield line all the way into Everton's box.  He finished with a confident left-footed shot to the back corner of the net (50').

Sturridge had a golden opportunity to complete the hat-trick when Liverpool won a Penalty.  Raheem Sterling made a run into the box and was fouled by Howard trying to stop the winger.  Sturridge missed the penalty over the crossbar though, and was soon taken out of the match.

Everton could not produce a goal by the end of the match as Liverpool won comfortably.  The Suarez-Sturridge tandem continues to fuel the offense for the Reds and today the defense was equally effective, keeping a clean-sheet.  Up next Liverpool face West Bromwich and Everton host Aston Villa in Premier League play.

Özil, Deulofeu Score in Arsenal-Everton Draw

 1-1 

League leaders Arsenal were back at the Emirats Stadium today as Everton came for the last match in the fifteenth round of the Premier League.  The Gunners won their last three league matches while Everton have gone unbeaten since early October.

Shots were scarce in the first-half and fouls outnumbered the shots 13-8.  Possession was heavily in favor of Everton, but the better chances went to Arsenal.  Only two shots tested keeper Tim Howard and the first-half ended scoreless.

It was obvious Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger was unhappy with his team as the second-half continued and he made all three changes at once replacing Cazorla, Ramsey, and Wilshere for Walcott, Rosicky, and Flamini with about twenty minutes remaining.

Everton boss Roberto Martínez also made changes to his squad, one proving to be an important change.  Just after Gerard Deulofeu entered the match Arsenal scored the first goal of the match.  Rosicky played a ball into the box that Walcott headed down for Giroud in front of goal.  Giroud completely whiffed his shot, but fortunately Mesut Özil was right behind him and finished from close range to break the dead-lock (80').

The late-goal was not a heart-breaker for Everton though, and the visitors responded moments later.  Substitute Deulofeu also benefited from a whiffed shot, Lukaku's attempted bike-kick, that set him up in front of goal.  Deulofeu did well to separate himself from defender Gibbs before scoring the equalizer (84').

The game ended in a 1-1 draw with each team earning one point.  Arsenal remain in first place and Everton stay just outside the top-four of the league standings.  Everton host Fulham next weekend while Arsenal travel to Italy for a Champions League match before a crucial league game at Manchester City.