FIFA World Cup 2014: Argentina 1-0 Belgium - Player Ratings

Gonzalo Higuaín scoring the all important goal against Belgium in the 3rd qurater final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

The third quarter final match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on 5 Jul, 2014 saw Argentina take on the golden generation of Belgium at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia Stadium.

The match ended in favour of the South American team as out of form Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuaín finally struck his first goal of the tournament and put his side ahead after just eight minutes on the clock with a superb controlled volley. Argentina now marches on to the semis with a 1-0 victory over The Red Devils from Europe.

We take a look at how the players performed for their respective camps.

Argentina (Formation: 4-2-3-1)

Sergio Romero (6/10): The 27 year old Monaco keeper had very little to do throughout the match as the Belgians lacked urgency even after conceding so early in the game. His first real test came when Kevin De Bruyne struck a ferocious shot to his right but he pared it away comfortably. His other important event in the match came up when his own team mate Ezequiel Garay intercepted a De Bruyne low cross but needed a quick reaction save from him to prevent the ball going back into his own net.

José María Basanta (7/10): The 30 year old veteran who plays his club football in Mexico was an important inclusion in Alejandro Sabella side for this game as he was replacing the impressive Marcos Rojo who was out due to suspension. Basanta justified his selection as he nullified the threat from Everton winger Kevin Mirallas. Although he looked a bit clumsy when the lanky Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini moved up in the later stages but he soon complemented to his teams high defensive line which led the opposition getting stuck in the offside trap 6 times.

Ezequiel Garay (7.5/10): Apart from mistiming a De Bruyne low cross to his own keeper, the former Benfica centre back led his defensive lines with example. Not only he provided timely cover to Martín Demichelis but was also strong in air throughout the game. The Belgian teenager Divock Origi had no impact in the game as a result of his organisation of the back four.

Martín Demichelis (6.5/10): Getting his first game at this tournament, the Manchester City defender did take some time to settle, but once he did, he commanded stability and played to pass rather than anxiously clearing the ball. Due to several English Premier League players playing in the opposition ranks, Sabella opted for him ahead of Federico Fernández who was a regular in his side until today and it did turn out to be a good decision.

Pablo Zabaleta (6/10): Slightly off his guard in this crucial encounter as Jan Vertonghen of Belgium often found a lot of space in Argentina’s right defensive flank. Zabaleta did manage to get the better off Eden Hazard but it had more to do with the latter being unimpressive in the entire tournament.

Lucas Biglia (7.5/10): While his midfield partner Javier Mascherano controlled the tempo of his side’s passing, the Lazio defensive midfielder destroyed the Belgians going forward. Coming into this game he had hardly played 20 minutes in 4 matches for Argentina. Mostly used as a substitute to waste time at the end to get crucial points for his team, Biglia in this game closed in the Belgians as quickly as he could and he did it without leaving his defensive line open.

Javier Mascherano (7.5/10): An understatement, if his importance is not recognised the same as Lionel Messi for the La Albiceleste in this tournament. His presence in the middle of the park forced De Bruyne to move to the wings and left Belgium with no creative play from the centre. Also, the way he moved to empty pockets when his team mates moved in oppositions half helped his side retaining the same structure throughout the game.

Ángel di María (2.5/10): Ran hard till the 33rd minute before picking up a knee injury. Almost scored the second goal for Argentina when Messi picked up his run but Vincent Kompany came to the rescue to block his shot.

Ezequiel Lavezzi (5.5/10): Had less impact from the left wing and was mostly seen providing defensive help to his full backs.

Lionel Messi (7.5/10): With 4 goals going into this game, the Barcelona centre forward seems to have finally found foot at the World Cup stage. Right from the start, Messi picked up players with key passes that could’ve found the net. Most notable passes by him were when he found Lavezzi in the 4th minute and then provided a glorious through ball after dissecting the heart of Belgian defence to di María in the 29th minute. He finally found his moment to go past the Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois in the stoppage time but failed to score as the goalie bravely came out of his line to make a good save.

Gonzalo Higuaín (8/10): Man of the match by far in this game. Higuaín looked a different player today and struck his first goal of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the 8th minute when an Ángel di María pass was deflected by Vertonghen and fell right into his path, which controlled superbly and volleyed it past the Belgian keeper. He had another chance in the second half, but failed to covert it after making a superb run and beating Kompany but finally ended up hitting the ball on the woodwork.

Substitutes

Enzo Pérez (3.5/10): The Benfica midefilder had his first glimpse of the World Cup when he replaced an injured di Maria in the 33rd minute but failed to grab the opportunity from both hands as he looked virtually absent in the attacking front but he did contribute to his team’s defensive duties.

Rodrigo Palacio (1.5/10): The Inter Milan forward was called in for an exhausted Lavezzi in the 71st minute of the game. Apart from rocketing a ball into the crowd, he made no significant contribution to the game.

Fernando Gago (1/10): Replaced Gonzalo Higuaín in the 81st minute to provide defensive cover to his team.

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Belgium (Formation: 4-2-3-1)

Thibaut Courtois (5/10): Failed to react to keep out Higuain's half volleyed effort in the eight minute of the game. All though he did deny Messi in the stoppage time, but the first goal was enough for Argentina to progress to the semis.

Toby Alderweireld (3.5/10): Had he moved up and ran hard to support Mirallas, his team would’ve exploited a lot more from the Argentine defence. Alderweireld had a disappointing game and just couldn’t set the tempo from wings and was also booked in the 69th minute of the game.

Vincent Kompany (5.5/10): Impressive throughout the game but it was his mistake when he gave away possession that ended in the path of Higuain who opened the scoring for the Argentine team. Another costly mistake could’ve resulted in another goal, but Higuain chose to shoot it on the cross bar.

Daniel Van Buyten (5/10): Much like Demichelis of Argentina he stayed in his on half and played as a ball playing defender. Decide to move up front in the dying stages of the game but failed to do anything of much importance for the Belgians.

Jan Vertonghen (7/10): The best full back on the pitch in this game. He crossed and pushed things for the Red Devils on the wings but sadly for his team Fellaini and Mirallas failed to convert the opportunities he laid in their path.

Marouane Fellaini (4/10): After a disastrous season with Manchester United, Fellaini continued the same horror show in this game. He ran without the ball to tackle his opposition and failed to create or covert anything substantial when he received the ball.

Eden Hazard (1.5/10): The Chelsea wonder kid literally had not even a single moment in the game. Oh yes he did! - he received a yellow card in the 53rd minute and was substituted in the 75th minute.

Kevin De Bruyne (6.5/10): The former Chelsea player fought hard and did stung the palms of the Argentine keeper Romero in the first half and almost saw his low cross going for an own goal when the Argentine defender Garay intercepted. The kid looks like Paul Scholes (for now just his face) and has a future.

Axel Witsel (5.5/10): As an individual he probably didn’t put a foot wrong but lacked confidence and couldn’t provide his team an extra cushion by continuously supplying the ball to his attacking players. He did hit a shot but was blocked in the Argentina defenders.

Kevin Mirallas (3/10): Except a header from a Vertonghen cross that went wide, he added no threat and was substituted in the 60th minute.

Divock Origi (2/10): Poor kid couldn’t repeat his good form in this game. He is less to be blamed as he was hardly supplied a good ball from his team.

Substitutes

Romelu Lukaku(2.5/10): Just added more physical presence in the Belgian team. He was brought in for Origi in the 59th minute to make an impact but just like the Lille striker he couldn’t do much.

Dries Mertens (1.5/10): Replaced Mirallas in the 60th minute, while he could only manage to take a disappointing freekick that went wide.

Nacer Chadli (1/10): Came in for Hazard in the 75th minute and continued his legacy of not contributing anything of substance.