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Attendance: 68,551
Argentina national football team
World Cup | Quarter-Finals
Jul 5, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Belgium national football team

1-0

Higuain (8')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Argentina vs. Belgium

Sports Mole previews the World Cup quarter-final action between Argentina and Belgium at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia on Saturday.

Argentina take on Belgium on Saturday evening at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, with both sides looking to turn rather tame starts at the tournament into something a little more comprehensive.

The Argentines have yet to really get going in Brazil and have largely relied on the exploits of Lionel Messi, arguably still not at his best, and the input of standout efforts during games in which Alejandro Sabella's men have struggled to break teams down.

This might not be that much of a concern to the South Americans, who will believe they can improve in the more important stages, as the team were boosted by a resolute performance when they overcame Switzerland 1-0 on Tuesday.

Belgium have suffered a lot of the same problems as their opponents, with the Europeans playing more like a side of star individuals than a closely-knit unit. Much like the Argentines, though, they do still have the quality of players who are capable of turning a game on its head in a flash.

Testament to this was the late introduction of Romelu Lukaku as Belgium broke American hearts with a 2-1 extra-time win on Tuesday night. The Chelsea striker changed the tide of the game with brute strength and great awareness to take the game away from the USA.

Neither side have any major injury concerns ahead of the game, but eyes will be on the fluctuating form of Angel di Maria, who rescued his side's fortunes against the Swiss.

As for Belgium, it is expected that Lukaku will make the starting XI as they look to pull together as a side going into the final stages.

Recent form

Argentina: WWWWWW

Belgium: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Rojo, Mascherano, Fernandez, Garay, Lavezzi, Gago, Higuain, Messi, Di Maria

Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Witsel, van Buyten, Kompany, Mirallas, Fellaini, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Hazard

Sports Mole says: 2-1

See what the Sports Mole Sofa panel has to say about the encounter below.


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Germany's striker Miroslav Klose celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal against Argentina during the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal football match on July 3, 2010
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

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3 Mexico Mexico31114
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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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