Argentina have progressed to the Semi-Final of the 2014 World Cup after beating Belgium 1-0.
Estádio Nacional de Brasilia was packed out for this mouth-watering Quarter-Final match. With thousands of Argentinian fans hopeful that this year, could be their year for glory. The Belgian fans were also optimistic ahead of the clash, hoping that their talented young group of players could cause an upset on the biggest stage of all.
It didn't take long for Argentina to make their breakthrough. With just 8 minutes on the clock, Lionel Messi broke away inside Belgium's half. Dribbling past two Belgian tackles, Messi played in Di Maria - who's deflected pass found its way to Gonzalo Higuain. For a man who's been rather out of form so far this World Cup, Higuain finished superbly. Hammering the ball on the volley into Courtois' far left corner, leaving the Chelsea keeper absolutely no chance.
It was a reasonably quiet first half, with Argentina and Belgium both taking it in turns to dominate possession, but without any real penetration. 25 minutes in though Wolfsburg's De Bruyne gave Romero something to do. Striking the ball from 25 yards out and forcing the keeper to make a smart save to his right.
Moments later it was Argentina's turn to attack. With Lionel Messi turning provider again, slotting an inch-perfect pass into the advancing Di Maria. Left one-on-one with Kompany, Di Maria checked inside on his left and got his shot away. Kompany blocked well, but that was the least of Di Maria's concerns who fell to the floor in pain. Replays showing that Di Maria seemed to over-stretch his thigh, causing him some discomfort. The midfielder attempted to continue, but conceded defeat just minutes later and was replaced by Benfica's Enzo Perez.
It took until the final few minutes of the half for either side to cause anymore problems. Lionel Messi was kicked three times, on the edge of the area by Fellaini before he was forced to go down. From the resulting costless-kick, Messi fired just over the cross-bar.
Down the other end, Vertonghen ventured forward for the first time in the match and swung in an impressive cross - which found Kevin Mirallas. His diving header left Romero stranded but sailed just past the post.
With Argentina heading into half-time with the lead.
A more lively start to the second half with Higuain clearly showing some good signs of confidence. He picks the ball up in the final third and brilliantly nut-megs Vincent Kompany (which isn't easily done). With Higuain advancing towards goal, Courtois comeing out to meet him, Higuain saw his opportunity a struck a powerful shot - which cannoned off the cross-bar.
After 59 minutes, Marc Wilmots decided to change things around by bringing on Lukaku and Mertens for Origi and Mirallas. The change seemed to encourage Belgium to go on the attack with Vertonghen again getting down the left and delivering a brilliant cross which was met strongly by Fellaini. With the header going over the bar.
With 20 minutes remaining, Sabella decided to bring on Inter's Rodrigo Palacio for Lavezzi, who had worked tirelessly down the left.
Throughout the match, Belgium's attacks seemed half-hearted and were easily broken down by the Argentinian defence. With Garay and the highly experienced Demichelis forming an impressive partnership at the back.
Edin Hazard made way for Tottenham's Nacer Chadli 15 minutes from time. It was a really disappointing display from Hazard, who was rarely involved in the match, creating very little when he did appear.
With 10 minutes remaining, the match-winner Higuain was sacrificed as the more defensive minded Fernando Gago was introduced. A much more confident and consistant performance for Higuain. Creating a number of chances for his side, and more importantly, winning the match with his thunderous finish.
Then Zabaleta progressed down the right hand side for one of the first times in the match and delivered a deep cross into the area. Palacio was placed for the header at the far post, but the cross was inches too high for the Inter striker.
Five minutes for the end of regulation time saw Belgium begin to dominate the game. For the first time in the match, Belgium seized the inititive and pinned Argentina back in their own half for a sustained amount of pressure. First De Bruyne's deflected effort from the edge of the area was deflected marginally wide, with Romero left stranded. Then a corner from the right-hand side was poorly dealt with by Argentina. The ball bouncing around dangerously until Romero finally made it his own. Then came Lukaku, breaking costless inside the area, just managing to drag a pass back but cleared away brilliantly by Garay. Then from the resulting clearance, Witsel volley an effort narrowly over the bar.
Argentina hit Belgium on the counter then though, with Messi breaking away all on his own. Courtois was again off his line very quickly to block Messi's shot from close range. A good stop again from the man who managed to keep Messi out all season for Atletico Madrid.
But that was that! Argentina made it through the the five added minutes, and Belgium's late surge just wasn't quite enough in the end. Higuain's strike inside the first 10 minutes was enough to earn Argentina a place in the World Cup Semi-Final's for the first time in 24 years. It's the first time they've won a Quarter-Final match outright since England in 1986.
The Netherlands or Costa Rica will join up with Argentina in the Semi Final's, who are just two wins away from winning the greatest prize in world football.