While dark horse Belgium supporters are out in full force, it would be the heavily favored Argentina team going through on just one goal early in the match. Netherlands and Costa Rica would see regular and extra time goalless, leading to a penalty kick shootout, with the Dutch narrowly winning.
Argentina v Belgium, 1-0
As Independent UK stated Lionel Messi could very well win the game on his own, and with four goals under his belt this tournament, he very well may have had too. But it would actually come from an early deflection off a Belgium player that Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuaín would find the back of the net off a volley at the 8th minute. Argentina would hold on to possession for much of the half, breaking down Belgium’s chance to get anything going. Going in the locker room 1-0, Argentina would also pay a price in seeing Ángel Di María go off with an injury.
Belgium’s struggle would continue in the second half, with chances coming but meeting with an impenetrable defense and goalkeeper. Argentina would also have chances to take a 2 goal lead, and very well could have with Messi going one-on-one with Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois, but was unable to get past the charging goalie.
Argentina move on the semifinals for their first time since 1990, where the 1986 defending world champions lost to Germany in the final.
Netherlands v Costa Rica, 0-0, PK, 4-3
Goalless through the first half, Costa Rica hold off on favorites Holland, with several chances on either side. Telegraph UK had a simulator that showed the Oranje in a 3-0 slaughter, but both coming in as underdogs, it was still anyone’s game.
With chances and shots fired from either side, the second half ends just as it began, with neither side able to reach the back of the net. All would seem relatively quiet in extra-time until the last few minutes when both sides couldn’t make it past the oppositions goalkeepers. Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas has already tied American Tim Howard’s record of 16 saves in a single game, before heading into a penalty shootout.
Netherlands would move forward early in with both first shots made, and Costa Rica with one in, and one stopped. Netherlands keeper would stop another goal, with Holland taking down the Central Americans 4-3.
The final four of the competition are set with host country, without star Neymar, to play Germany on Tuesday July 8. With a very narrow win, the Netherlands move on to the semifinal and face Argentina on Wednesday July 9. Winners of both games move on to fight for the world champion title on July 13.