Argentina in World Cup semis after 24 years

Higuain buried a shot into the corner of the net in the 8th minute to set up a semi-final clash against Netherlands.

BRASILIA:

Gonzalo Higuain’s superb early strike secured a nervy 1-0 win for Argentina against Belgium and sent the South Americans through to the last four of the World Cup for the first time in 24 years on Saturday.

Higuain buried a shot into the corner of the net in the eighth minute at the national stadium to set up a semi-final clash against 2010 runners-up the Netherlands or surprise package Costa Rica, who play later on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Higuain reacted brilliantly when an Angel Di Maria pass was deflected towards him off Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen. He swivelled and struck the ball first time as Argentina ended a run of being eliminated in the last eight at the two most recent editions of soccer’s global showpiece.

“I knew the goal was going to come and it came at an important time,” Higuain, who had not scored for his nation in six matches, said in a television interview.

“We were able to reach a semi-final which we haven’t achieved for many years. Now we need to play well and try and reach the final,” he added.

“We gave our all, it’s a World Cup, it doesn’t happen every day. There are two matches left to achieve this beautiful dream.”

Belgium, whose best World Cup run was in 1986 when they were knocked out by Diego Maradona’s Argentina in the semi-finals, had a couple of chances but otherwise offered little in attack despite sustained late pressure that set nerves among the thousands of Argentines thronging the giant arena jangling.


Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2014.