Showing posts with label messi. Show all posts
Madrid halt Barcelona progress in El Clasico
Real Madrid defeat Barcelona 3-1 in season's first El Classico
- Barcelona's front-3 combined within 3 minutes to fire the first goal.
- Neymar opened the scoring for Barca with a superd goal in the 3rd minute thanks to a brilliant cross by Louis Suarez who looked great in the first half but rusty in the 2nd& ultimately was substituted in the 69th minute.
- Ronaldo leveled with style in the 34th minute thanks to Gerrard Pique who appeared to slip and accidentally conceded a penalty.
- Madrid went 2-1 ahead in the 50th minute with a bullet-header from defender Pepe on Toni Kroos' well crafted corner kick.
- Barcelona left themselves dangerously open at the back in an attempt to equalize but it backfired into a team move for Real as Iniesta played in to Ronaldo who connected with James Rodriguez to find Benzema for a through-ball. Benzema thus, sealing the victory for Real Madrid in the 61st minute with the scoreline reading 3-1.
- Lionel Messi missed several chances mainly due to being bogged down by too many Madrid defenders.
- Luka Modric & Toni Kroos controlled the pace in the Midfield.
- Iker Casillas had a superb game and answered his critics who questioned his place in the Madrid side.
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Messi, Ronaldo brace up for Champions League Record
Star Players gear up for Champions League all-time Goal scorer Record
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| Image Courtesy: goal.com |
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| Image Courtesy: goal.com |
Its Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo once again, for what appears to be about the 3843732839244th time in the last decade, this time both of the greats gunning up for all-time scoring record in the Champions League.
The duo are inseparable rivals of the decade like any other sport has had in the past, Muhammad Ali & Joe Frazier in Boxing, Bjorn Borg & John McEnroe in Tennis, these two thrive due to each other, its almost as if they are parasites feeding of each others brilliance, trying to one-up each other on every step of their careers.
Currently the Portuguese captain Ronaldo has 69 goals in his account while Messi sits on 68.
Its just a matter of 'when' rather than 'if' the all-time scoring record of 71 goals held by Spaniard Raul will be surpassed.
The degree of competitiveness can be measured from the last 5 years since Ronaldo came to Madrid, he has netted 54 goals in 53 Champions league appearances whereas Messi scored 51 times in 55 matches.
Prior to this move, Ronaldo had scored only 15 goals in 52 appearances for Man Utd & Messi scored 17 goals in his 35 games for Barca.
It is quite evident that these two legends need each other. Ronaldo & Messi are destined to chase each other in the hunt for more trophies, achievements, records & goals till they finally hang up their boots.
One thing is for sure, barring any injuries, the mark for most goals scored by a player in Champions League is set be exchanged multiple times between the two of them for seasons to come.
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Barcelona rattled by PSG in Champions League
PSG defeat Barcelona 3-2 in an epic contest
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| David Luiz celebrates after scoring. |
"This is the best win of my life", said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG President.
Luiz put his name on the score-sheet in the 10th minute, but the early advantage was equalized by Lionel Messi in the 12th minute. Verratti snuck in through the poor Barcelona defence in the 26th minute to put PSG ahead again.
But it was midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who showed some finishing skills to give PSG a 3-1 lead in the 54th minute but Brazilian star Forward Neymar Jr scored for Barcelona just 2 minutes later, making it 3-2.
After that, Barcelona tried and tried to equalize & same themselves from embarrassment but luck was not on their side.
Meanwhile, Messi scored his 68th Champions League goal & 402nd career goal, just 3 behind all-time leader Raul Gonzalez.
Related:
Liverpool Hammered by West Ham
Man Utd Humiliated again, this time by Leicester
Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid 4-2
Swansea shock Man Utd in Premier League Opener
Ronaldo jokes expressing thoughts about Messi might put him in Jail
Messi didn't deserve Golden Ball, feels Ronaldo
Portuguese Captain Cristiano Ronaldo thinks that rival footballer Lionel Messi didn’t deserve to win the World Cup 2014 Golden Ball award this summer after the Real Madrid star joked he would be sent to prison if he gave his real opinion.
The Argentina Captain beat World Cup winner Thomas Muller & Colombia's revelation James Rodriguez to the award after scoring 4 goals at the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil & carrying Argentina to the final, which they ultimately lost to Germany.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona revealed that he thought FIFA’s decision to award Messi with the Golden Ball was based on commercial & emotional reasons, Ronaldo has now hinted that the Barcelona star did not do enough during football's greatest competition to win the Golden Ball.
“If I said everything that I think, I would be in prison,” said Ronaldo, who picked up UEFA's Player of the Year award this week, when asked about his thoughts on whether his rival had earned the award.
“Everyone can see, make their own judgements, the people in the world of football are intelligent.
“It would be a very interesting question for him. I cannot be honest about it.”
The rivalry between these two superstars has been active for over half a decade now, with the Ronaldo getting one over on Messi in the Ballon d'Or earlier this year after losing out to the him for 4 consecutive years.
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Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid 4-2
Stoke stun Champs Man City
Related:
Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid 4-2
Stoke stun Champs Man City
Neymar to return with Suarez
Strikers expected to play alongside for the first time
Brazilian star striker Neymar has been cleared to play for the first time since suffering a broken vertebra in his back during the 2-1 victory against Colombia in the QuarterFinal of World Cup when Barcelona play Mexican side Club Leon on Monday.
Neymar could play for the first time with the club's new signing Luis Suarez as he is expected to make his Barcelona debut after being cleared to play in friendly matches last week by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, upholding the 4-month ban from competitive games.
Neymar missed out Brazil's further World Cup campaign which consisted of the disastrous 7-1 semi-final drubbing by Germany & the 3-0 loss to the Netherlands in the 3rd place play-off on home soil after suffering the injury when he was kneed in the back by Juan Camilo Zuniga.
However, the 22-year-old revealed that had the impact of Zuniga's knee been centimetres higher, he could have been left paralyzed.
Argentine sensation Lionel Messi is also likely to get his first outing since the heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final to Germany on Monday as the Catalan Club finalize their pre-season build up to the start of La Liga when they host Elche on Sunday.
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Lionel Messi almost joined Arsenal
Madrid: Some leading sports websites are claiming that Lionel Messi was interested in a transfer to English Premier League club Arsenal before signing an extension with the Catalan giants in May 2014.
The 27-year-old was locked in contract extension talks with Barcelona & reportedly bonus payments was a cause for concern for both parties.
Leading Spanish website Vozpopuli claimed that Messi had asked Barca teammate & former Arsenal midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, who joined Chelsea in the summer, to talk to his agent Darren Dein about a move to the London based club.
Messi has a buy-out clause approximately around a whopping 197 m Pounds & the Argentine player earns a massive 16 m pounds a year in wages.
Germany on top of FIFA Rankings
Germany on Top of Football World
Paris: Germany's victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup has seen them climb to the top of FIFA's world rankings for the first time in about 20 years.
The latest list witnesses Germany moving up to 1st place on back of their 1-0 defeat of Argentina at Maracana.
Meanwhile Messi's Argentina are placed 2nd (an improvement of three places) with the Netherlands leaping 12 places up to 3rd after their impressive World Cup 3rd place finish.
The James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia have moved up to 4th (+4), ahead of Belgium (+6) and Uruguay while devastated & disappointed Brazil dropped 4 spots to 7th.
Costa Rica's remarkable world cup campaign was rewarded with a jump of 12 places to 16th.
England's first round drubbing resulted in dropping 10 places to 20th.
Former World Champions Spain fell 7 spots to their new, less than impressive placing, of 8th with Switzerland and France (+7) completing the top 10.
Latest Rankings:
1. Germany (+1)
2. Argentina (+3)
3. Netherlands (+12)
4. Colombia (+4)
5. Belgium (+6)
6. Uruguay (+1)
7. Brazil (-4)
8. Spain (-7)
9. Switzerland (-3)
10. France (+7)
11. Portugal (-7)
12. Chile (+2)
13. Greece (-1)
14. Italy (-5)
15. USA (-2)
16. Costa Rica (+12)
17. Croatia (+1)
18. Mexico (+2)
19. Bosnia and Hercegovina (+2)
20. England (-10)
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Messi on cover of FIFA 15
Lionel Messi will be gracing the cover of EA Sports' FIFA 15, and it will be the 3rd consecutive year the Argentine great has graced the front of a soccer video game, and the 7th overall.
Messi, who bagged the World Cup 2014 Golden Ball as the tournament's best player despite the fact that he could not save Argentina from losing in the final of FIFA World Cup, appeared on the cover of FIFA 13 & FIFA 14. He was also the cover star for Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer from 2009 to 2011.
Messi, argueably the best player in the world, scored 28 goals for FC Barcelona this season & then 4 in the World Cup.
FIFA 15, scheduled to be launched on Sept. 23 for PS3, PS4, Windows PC, Xbox 360 & Xbox One, is trying to implement the new "emotional intelligence" to create more real lifelike reactions in the players. FIFA 15 will have more advanced ball physics and team tactics.
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Messi gets Golden Ball
Lionel Messi has won the Fifa Golden Ball as the best player of World Cup 2014.
Messi, who won four man of the match awards throughout the tournament but did not influence the final against Germany in Rio de Janeiro in the way that he would have liked, was chosen from a 10-player list of candidates who were announced on the eve of the final, with seven of the nominees coming from the finalists, Argentina and Germany.
His man of the match performances came early in the competition against Switzerland, Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Aside from Messi, Argentina had two nominees – Ángel di María and Javier Mascherano. Germany provided four candidates: Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Müller.
via: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/lionel-messi-golden-ball-award-world-cup
FIFA WORLD CUP 2014: GERMANY CROWNED CHAMPIONS
Germany 1 - 0 Argentina
Germany is the winner of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, lifting the Trophy for the 4th time in history after narrowly defeating Argentina 1-0 courtesy of an extra-time goal by Mario Gotze at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
The substitute, Goetze, settled the contest that was in the balance from the first minute till the last with a finish of amazing composure given the circumstances, pressure & surroundings. His strike proved the difference, with Argentina unable to respond in what little time remaining, which added another star to the Europeans' crest following their triumphs in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
Though Germany very much contained Messi in the 1st half, the superstar caused alarm before the break when he galloped along the right touchline & to the near post before being crowded out by a combination of defence & goalkeeper. However, at the other end, composed play by Miroslav Klose set up Kroos for a shot that was simple for Romero.
There was still time in an ecstatic period for defender Benedikt Howedes to thunder a header from Kroos’ accurate corner against Argentina’s right post, with Muller ruled offside as he attempted a rebound from close range.
The pace from the outset of the extra time was relentless; Schurrle smacked straight at the keeper, Aguero looked for a colleague from the left at the conclusion of a counter-attack & saw none, while substitute Rodrigo Palacio looped the ball over Neuer but lost control after taking down a fine Marcos Rojo inswinger in space.
Then, with only 7 minutes of the 120 remaining, the decisive moment arrived. Schurrle fought past 3 Argentina defenders on the left flank, drawing Sabella’s charges out of shape & clipping over them to Gotze. The 22-year-old’s technique was exquisite, cushioning the ball on his chest and volleying at an awkward height, finding the far corner of the net to write his name into German and World Cup football history books.
via: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255959/match=300186501/match-report.html
Related:
Messi gets Golden Ball
German Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Wins Golden Glove
James Rodriguez wins Golden Boot
Pogba wins Young Player Award
Related:
Messi gets Golden Ball
German Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Wins Golden Glove
James Rodriguez wins Golden Boot
Pogba wins Young Player Award
Germany vs Argentina: a Clash of Cohesion & Individual Brilliance
FIFA World Cup 2014, Brazil: Final
Germany vs Argentina
The conditions are favourable for Germany to win their fourth World Cup, to join Italy as second only to Brazil, and complete the transformation to a new style of play and a new future.
They cruised through what can scarcely be called a match against Brazil, able to save energy after the fifth goal at the 29-minute mark; they’ve had one additional day to recover, not usually a considerable advantage, but certainly so this time when wedded to the pair of extra-time impositions faced by Argentina.
Consider also that Angel Di Maria is probably out or, at best, to play at less than maximum readiness, and this is a final that Germany have been given, and have taken, every advantage to win.
Their progress mirrors very closely that of Spain four years ago, whereby the nucleus – at least six players and probably seven by the end of the game – plays together at Bayern Munich, and has been winning together over the past three years, making them a more complete team from 2010.
They are able to control games much better when playing the "Bayern way", and have crossed the threshold of success in club football, which as Spain demonstrated can be transferred to the international game.
All one needs is a core of the team who know each other so intimately, and are so confident in any situation having faced it all before, that the Die Mannschaft becomes less a national team than a club team.
This is the essence of the challenge the new century has thrown Australia, the central tenet being that cohesion, understanding and familiarity are the most vital characteristics for success.
But this final is not all about Germany – far from it. The Argentinians have heeded the same lessons.
Of the semi-final triumph on penalties against the Dutch, six players won the World Youth Cup in 2005, including Lionel Messi, a further three in 2007.
This is an Argentine generation built by the great Jose Pekerman, who took Colombia further than expected despite the absence of Falcao. It too represents more a club team than a national one.
In the white corner, the finalist has been built by an entirely new vision of youth development, an investment in coaching and programs probably unprecedented in the history of the game over the past 14 years, youth international football – six players in the starting 11 have won the 2009 under-21 European championships – and finally the Bayern finishing school, under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
In the blue and white stripes, ladies and gentlemen, we have players who know each other intimately from the under-20 and Olympic level, and who later graduated to the greatest clubs in the world.
There are both international and club relationships on the field. Messi and Javier Mascherano play together at FC Barcelona. Gonzalo Higuain and Di Maria previously played for Real Madrid.
More than half the players in both sides are in a World Cup final seven years or less after winning a major youth title, and the vast majority have experienced considerable European club success.
Quality and cohesion – two virtues in abundance on both sides.
Following a dismal return for Asian teams in Brazil, it is clear that for the region to compete with these critical success factors, we need solutions that lead to far, far higher investment that equates to quality competition, and the only solution is for a pan-Asian super league.
This would deliver the broadcast rights capable of eventually competing and exceeding that of big European competitions, and begin to draw talent enough to provide this part of the world with its own champions league-level competition.
We are the most populous, we have the fastest escalating resources while Europe struggles economically, and our path must be to band together for the good of one another, and the continent’s football future.
But, back to the final.
All this analysis is, of course, perfectly logical, but ignores one thing – the presence of individual greatness. This is what Germany lack.
This final is, therefore, going to be won by the most complete and cohesive team, Bayern Munich essentially, or by a team of lesser quality but with the finest individual in the world.
This is what makes the anticipation so sweet. The world wants to know whether the great Messi can overcome the strongest national team at this moment, whether his genius can deliver his passionate countrymen to the holy land, as Diego Maradona did in 1986.
The stage is thus set for an almighty encounter, and we can ask for no more.
One man being talked about as among the greatest who ever pulled on the boots, working beneath the shadow of probably the best who ever played, Maradona, with one realistic chance remaining in his third World Cup, in South America, with a stadium full of blue and white.
The lessons for Australia, and Asia, will be debated in coming days and months, but for now a historic moment is upon us.
One man will deliver his team and his nation, or the opposing country will take another step closer to challenging Brazil for supremacy.
If Germany win, they will probably win another in four years’ time and the power dynamics will have altered.
If Argentina win, we will witness the coronation of a football god.
We hold our breath.
FIFA announces Golden Ball candidates
adidas Golden Ball candidates announced
As a memorable 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ draws to a close, FIFA has officially announced the names of the ten players in the running for the adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to the competition’s most outstanding performer.
- Angel Di Maria (Argentina)In providing Lionel Messi with the best possible support, Di Maria has led the Albicelesteattack with distinction, posing a constant menace to opposing defences with his long-range shooting, mazy dribbling and finishing skills, which he showcased with a well-taken winner against Switzerland in the Round of 16.
- Mats Hummels (Germany)The Borussia Dortmund centre-half has attracted much praise for his solid displays at the heart of the German defence. As if that were not enough, Hummels has also impressed at the other end of the pitch, rising high to score against Portugal in the group phase and head home the winner against France in the quarter-finals.
- Toni Kroos (Germany)
Kroos ran the show as Die Mannschaft swept aside hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals, dominating the midfield and posing a constant threat with his passing and shooting, which brought him two goals – all in a day’s work for this most consistent of performers.
- Philipp Lahm (Germany)The Germany captain began the tournament in midfield before seamlessly making the switch to the right-back slot, without it undermining his performance levels or his considerable influence on Joachim Low’s side.
- Javier Mascherano (Argentina)Though their much-vaunted attack attracts most of the headlines, Argentina have also been solid in defence, a large part of the credit for which must go to Mascherano for his tireless work in providing the Albiceleste rearguard with essential protection.
- Mats Hummels (Germany)The Borussia Dortmund centre-half has attracted much praise for his solid displays at the heart of the German defence. As if that were not enough, Hummels has also impressed at the other end of the pitch, rising high to score against Portugal in the group phase and head home the winner against France in the quarter-finals.
- Toni Kroos (Germany)
Kroos ran the show as Die Mannschaft swept aside hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals, dominating the midfield and posing a constant threat with his passing and shooting, which brought him two goals – all in a day’s work for this most consistent of performers.
- Philipp Lahm (Germany)The Germany captain began the tournament in midfield before seamlessly making the switch to the right-back slot, without it undermining his performance levels or his considerable influence on Joachim Low’s side.
- Javier Mascherano (Argentina)Though their much-vaunted attack attracts most of the headlines, Argentina have also been solid in defence, a large part of the credit for which must go to Mascherano for his tireless work in providing the Albiceleste rearguard with essential protection.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi added to his FIFA World Cup goal tally with some lethal finishing in each of Argentina’s three group matches in Brazil. Though yet to find the back of the net in the knockout rounds, he has remained an influential figure for his side.
- Thomas Muller (Germany)
In opening his campaign with a hat-trick against Portugal, Muller picked up where he left off at South Africa 2010, where he collected the adidas Golden Boot. His performances since have underlined his status as the spearhead of Germany’s deadly front line.
- Neymar (Brazil)
Though only 22, the livewire forward ably shouldered the huge responsibility of leading A Seleção. Neymar was his side’s stand-out performer with four goals before an unfortunate injury ended his tournament in the quarter-finals.
- Arjen Robben (Netherlands)The flying Dutch wide man has been in peerless form since putting defending champions Spain to the sword in his side’s opening match. His incisive runs from deep have been a feature of the tournament.
Messi added to his FIFA World Cup goal tally with some lethal finishing in each of Argentina’s three group matches in Brazil. Though yet to find the back of the net in the knockout rounds, he has remained an influential figure for his side.
- Thomas Muller (Germany)
In opening his campaign with a hat-trick against Portugal, Muller picked up where he left off at South Africa 2010, where he collected the adidas Golden Boot. His performances since have underlined his status as the spearhead of Germany’s deadly front line.
- Neymar (Brazil)
Though only 22, the livewire forward ably shouldered the huge responsibility of leading A Seleção. Neymar was his side’s stand-out performer with four goals before an unfortunate injury ended his tournament in the quarter-finals.
- Arjen Robben (Netherlands)The flying Dutch wide man has been in peerless form since putting defending champions Spain to the sword in his side’s opening match. His incisive runs from deep have been a feature of the tournament.
- James Rodriguez (Colombia)Recognised as a huge talent heading into the competition, the gifted Rodriguez has since proved his ability to rise to the big occasion. His haul of six goals in five outings was a major reason why Los Cafeteros broke new ground in reaching the last eight for the first time.
The winners of the adidas Golden Ball, Silver Ball and Bronze Ball will all be announced after Sunday’s Final.
source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=adidas-golden-ball-candidates-announced-2403393.html
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FIFA World Cup 2014: Neymar Thankful He's Not in a Wheelchair Now
Neymar Jr Injury
Brazil star striker Neymar cried as he recalled the injury, saying "God blessed" him and prevented a more serious injury. Neymar had to stop talking for several seconds, lowering his head and putting a hand in front of his eyes.
Brasilia, Brazil: Neymar became emotional when talking Thursday about the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, saying that if the knee to his back had been slightly more to one side he "could be in a wheelchair" right now.
The Brazil striker cried as he recalled the injury, saying "God blessed" him and prevented a more serious injury. Neymar had to stop talking for several seconds, lowering his head and putting a hand in front of his eyes.
"It's difficult to talk about a move that (happened) in such an important moment of my career," he said.
Neymar fractured his third vertebra when defender Juan Camilo Zuniga hit him from behind in a challenge late in the quarterfinal match against Colombia.
"If it had been 2 centimeters to the center...," he said, struggling to stay composed. "I could be in a wheelchair."
The 22-year-old striker complained about Zuniga's challenge, although he said the Colombian called to apologize.
"I don't know if he was trying to hurt me, but if you understand football you know that it was not a normal challenge," Neymar said. "I can't protect myself when I'm not facing the play. The only thing that can protect me from someone coming from behind are the rules. I couldn't protect myself and I ended getting hurt."
Neymar had been recovering at home but returned to the team's training camp on Thursday. He will travel with the squad to Brasilia to support them in the third-place match against the Netherlands on Saturday.
Neymar said the injury led to "the worst week of his life," one that culminated - in his absence - with Brazil's 7-1 thrashing by Germany in the semifinals. He said he didn't know how to explain what happened, and that it would be "unfair for this group" to be remembered by that result alone.
"It would have been all right to lose, but not like this. It was unbelievable, inexplicable," Neymar said. "I don't have the words to explain what happened."
He said the loss was "part of football," and that he thought Brazil had the potential to rebound and win the next World Cup.
"We can't lower our heads," he said. "It will hurt for a long time, but better days will come."
He wished luck to Germany and Argentina in Sunday's final, but said he hopes the South Americans will come out on top. He plays at Barcelona with Argentina stars Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano.
"I'm not cheering for Argentina, I'm cheering for my teammates," he said.
Neymar said that it would be good for football to have Messi winning a world title.
"He deserves to be a world champion," he said. "I'm Messi Football Club."
Louis van Gaal Reveals reason behind Semifinal Loss
Argentina vs Netherlands
"I asked two players ahead of Vlaar to take the first penalty," van Gaal said.
"They refused. Vlaar in my view was our best player. Unfortunately he didn't score," he added.
"Our penalties against Costa Rica were incredible. That should have given us confidence," said van Gaal.
"You have to maximise the first penalty shot,"
Van Gaal said he would have brought in Tim Krul, the replacement goalkeeper , who faced the penalties shootout & starred in victory against Costa Rica, to take over from regular goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
"But I had already used my 3 substitutes at that time."
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Romero takes Argentina to Final
FIFA World Cup 2014: Argentina vs Netherlands
Sergio Romero inspired Argentina to a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands on penalties and FIFA World Cup Final for the first time since 1990.
After 120 goalless minutes in Sao Paulo, the 27-year-old Romero repelled Ron Vlaar’s spot-kick before making a stunning save from Wesley Sneijder to send the Argentines into a showdown with Germany at the Maracana for the Trophy.
The first half was a very tense, chance-shy affair. Messi had Argentina’s best opportunity, with a centrally-positioned free-kick from the edge of the box, but he curled it straight into the hands of the Netherlands' goalkeeper Jasper Callisen.
Ezequiel Gonzalez bravely ducked his head between flying boots from a corner, but the he was unable to keep his effort down, while the sliding Ron Vlaar did well to intercept a low Ezequiel Lavezzi cross before Gonzalo Higuain could pounce on the chance.
The Netherlands, however, struggled to get the ball to danger man Arjen Robben and failed to force Sergio Romero into a save before the half-time.
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Orange and blue collide in second Semi Final
FIFA World Cup 2014: Netherlands vs Argentina
MATCHDAY PREVIEW – The second semi-final at Brazil 2014 features another tussle for supremacy between Europe and South America, with the Netherlands and Argentina renewing acquaintances in Sao Paulo. The two teams most famously contested the Final in 1978, when Argentina won 3-1 after extra time to record their only success in four FIFA World Cup™ meetings with the Oranje.
Their hopes of posting a second could well depend on Lionel Messi, who has driven the team forward in Brazil and regularly made the difference, with a haul of four goals and one assist so far. Performing a different role than he does for Barcelona, Messi pulls the strings for La Albiceleste thanks to his exceptional ball protection, devastating bursts of speed and precision passing.
If he does, Van Gaal will be hoping his team can retain their attacking edge. Seven different players have found the net for the Netherlands at Brazil 2014, and two of them have hit a trio of goals – including the in-form Arjen Robben.
He will have to make do without injured lieutenant Angel Di Maria, but the player whose absence will arguably be felt most is Nigel de Jong. Missing his favourite midfield enforcer, Louis van Gaal could be tempted to change his system, deploying a pair of holding players to keep Messi quiet.
The Bayern Munich winger has been caught offside 21 times overall, but he is never afraid to try his luck in front of goal and brings energy and intensity to the forward line. That said, it would be short-sighted for either side to focus on Messi and Robben alone, with the likes of Robin van Persie and Gonzalo Higuain having already shown their pedigree in Brazil.
Higuain puts Argentina into semis
An eighth minute half volley from Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain proved to be enough for Argentina to reach the semi-finals of Brazil 2014 at the expense of Belgium side who failed to fire in Brasilia.
He capitalised on an error from Belgium skipper Vincent Kompany to put La Albicelesteahead with their first shot on target.
The Belgium captain lost possession in the middle of the Belgium half and Lionel Messi capitalised, finding Angel Di Maria on the right. The Real Madrid man earned a slice of luck as his attempted pass to Pablo Zabaleta deflected off Jan Vertonghen and into the path of Gonzalo Higuain who volleyed home.
The remainder of the first half was open affair, played at an extremely high tempo as Argentina’s front three of Higuain, Messi and Di Maria constantly looked to counter against an opposition looking to force an equaliser. However, the South Americans flow was interrupted when Di Maria went off with a thigh injury after firing a shot towards goal.
The change made Sabella’s side ever-more reliant on Messi and the Barcelona star almost provided Argentina’s second when he blazed a free-kick just over the bar after being fouled by Marouane Fellaini on the edge of the box.
Belgium’s best chance of the half came just before the break when Vertonghen’s inswinging cross from the left was headed narrowly wide by Kevin Mirallas.
The South Americans created the first chance of the second half when Higuain kept the ball in play and hit a low drive towards goal. The ball ricocheted off the heel of Daniel van Buyten and out for a corner.
Higuain should have made it two when he forced Kompany into another error, allowing him a clear run on goal. The Real Madrid man just had Courtois to beat, but clipped the crossbar with his effort.
Wilmots made a double substitution on the hour mark with Romelu Lukaku and Mertens replacing Divock Origi and Mirallas. Yet it was two of their original starting 11 who combined to go close. Fellaini outjumped Basanta in the box and headed Vertonghen’s superb cross narrowly wide.
Argentina were given a scare when Ezequeil Garay almost diverted Kevin De Bryune’s low ball into his own net, but Sergio Romero was alert to the danger.
A committed defensive display, plus the efforts of defensive midfielders Lucas Biglia and Javier Mascherano limited Les Diables Rouges’ to a handful of half chances as their hopes of emulating their showing at Mexico 1986 ebbed away.
Indeed it was a quick break from Messi which almost produced the game's second goal in added time, but Courtois stood his ground superbly to keep his record of clean sheets intact against the Barcelona man.
And so Argentina reached the semi-finals, with another single goal win enough just as it had been in their four previous encounters at Brazil 2014. They now face the winners of Netherlands-Costa Rica in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
FIFA World Cup: Beware of Belgium, Argentina Coach Sabella Warns his Team
: Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has advised his players to beware the manifold strengths of a "powerful" Belgium team when the two sides clash in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
Heavily dependent on star man Lionel Messi, Argentina have laboured in Brazil so far, but victory over Marc Wilmot's Belgium in Brasilia will see them reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.
Belgium cannot match Argentina's World Cup pedigree, having made the last four only once -- in 1986, when they lost to Argentina -- but they boast a squad packed with famous names from the Premier League and La Liga. (Also read: Rent a crowd? Belgium count on support from Brazilians against Argentina)
"Belgium have a very good team," Sabella told his pre-match media conference at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium on Friday. (Will extreme dependence on Messi hurt Argentina?)
"They have a sort of 'golden generation', as occasionally happens. I remember the World Cup in 1982, when they also had a golden generation and they beat Argentina 1-0 in the group phase.
"Now, they have a lot of players who play in the English and Spanish leagues. They're a powerful team. We'll have to be careful when we don't have the ball and try to make things happen when we do.
"They're a team made up of great individuals who work very well as a team."
Sabella emphasised the strength of a defence that has conceded only two goals in the tournament to date.
"They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world," he said of Thibaut Courtois.
"The right-back (Toby Alderweireld) plays for Atletico Madrid, one centre-back plays for Manchester City (Vincent Kompany), one for Bayern Munich (Daniel Van Buyten), and the left-back plays for Tottenham Hotspur (Jan Vertonghen). I don't need to say anymore."
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