I’m still not entirely sure what to make of Argentina but they keep getting the job done and Belgium might well be their next victims at Brazil 2014.
It took 118 minutes for Lionel Messi to find a way through the Swiss defence in the Last 16, before setting up Angel Di Maria for the winner in extra-time, but Argentina were rarely troubled at the other end and were deserving winners.
That late goal took Argentina just two victories away from their first World Cup Final appearance since 1990 and in Messi possess the star of the show.
Argentina will surely be buoyed by Neymar’s unfortunate injury in Brazil’s quarter-final triumph over Colombia on Friday night, that saw the Barcelona playmaker ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, and the South American’s won’t be fazed by Belgium.
The winner of this tie will face the Netherlands or Costa Rica in the last four and, while the Dutch have impressed so far, that is certainly not a clash either side would be overly concerned with either.
USA were more than a match for the much vaunted Belgium in the second round and they were hanging on in extra-time; 30 minutes of the most pulsating football witnessed at this incredible tournament.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku saw Belgium surge clear of Jurgen Klinsmann’s men at the start of the additional period but they were immediately pegged back by Julian Green and the Europeans looked very nervous thereafter.
We’ve not seen the best of either of these sides at the finals yet but Belgium have not faced a test of this magnitude yet under coach Marc Wilmots and they could well be overawed.
Argentina have peaked too early at previous World Cup campaigns but there is certainly no danger of that happening this time around and they have exited at this stage in 1998, 2006, and 2010.
The last two losses came at the hands of Germany and Joachim Low’s men are potential finalists this time around in what would be a repeat of the hugely forgettable Italia ‘90 showpiece.
2pts Back Argentina (vs. Belgium) @ 11/10 (Bet 365)