Argentina sweep in to World Cup semi-finals as they break Belgian hearts in Brazil

Argentina sweep in to World Cup semi-finals as they break Belgian hearts in Brazil

Much-fancied Argentina booked their place in the semi-finals tonight after beating Belgium in the last 16.

The South Americans scored early thanks to a sweetly struck volley by striker Gonzalo Higuain and held on for victory at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.

It sets up a final-four clash with either the Netherlands or Costa Rica who meet tonight in the last of the World Cup's quarter finals.

The victory came despite a scathing verbal attack by Argentina great Diego Maradona, who accused his national side of having 'no idea'.

Sweetly struck: Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain unleashes a volley to take his side into the lead in the quarter final with Belgium

Sweetly struck: Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain unleashes a volley to take his side into the lead in the quarter final with Belgium


Couple of devils: Belgium's fans pose for the cameras before the quarter-final

Argentina limped past Switzerland in the last 16 after overcoming Ottmar Hitzfeld's team 1-0 in extra-time and faced even tougher European opponents tonight.Belgium had overcame a stubborn USA side to advance to their first quarter-final since 1986 but needed a massive improvement on their poor finishing from that 2-1 extra-time victory to progress past one of the pre-tournamant favourites.But Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring after just eight minutes tonight when he swept a volley past Belgium's keeper Thibaut Courtois following swift footwork by Lionel Messi.His superb strike was enough to send his side through to the last four for the first time in 24 years.