Argentina, Belgium extra-time winners

02 กรกฎาคม 2557

It was 120 minutes of high tension in both matches before Argentina and Belgium were able to claim the last World Cup quarter-final places over Switzerland and the United States respectively.

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Argentina's midfielder Angel Di Maria (L) scores past Switzerland's goalkeeper Diego Benaglio (yellow) in the second half of extra time during a Round of 16 football match between Argentina and Switzerland at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA

Argentina, Belgium claim last eight World Cup places

SAO PAULO, Brazil, AFP – Lionel Messi rescued Argentina once more to help sink Switzerland as the United States' fairytale World Cup run came to an end against Belgium here Tuesday.

Messi set up the winner for Angel Di Maria two minutes from the end of extra-time to give the South Americans a 1-0 win against the Swiss.

The Argentines will now face Belgium in the quarter-finals in Brasilia on Saturday after they defeated the United States 2-1 after another extra-time duel.

A phenomenal goalkeeping performance from Tim Howard kept the Belgians at bay to leave the game scoreless after 90 minutes. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186497/index.html)

But the introduction of England-based forward Romelu Lukaku tipped the game in Belgium's favour.

Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (2nd R) shoots past US goalkeeper Tim Howard (R) to score the 1-0 during a Round of 16 football match between Belgium and USA at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE

The powerful Chelsea striker's run set up the first for Kevin De Bruyne on 93 minutes, before he then latched on to a long ball and thumped an unstoppable shot past Howard for the second.

That appeared to have settled the game but Jurgen Klinsmann's Americans came roaring back.

A superb volleyed goal from 19-year-old substitute Julian Green on 107 minutes set up a frantic finale.

US midfielder Julian Green controls to score past Belgium's defender Toby Alderweireld during the second half of extra-time. AFP PHOTO/ FRANCISCO LEONG

Only a fantastic save by Thibaut Courtois denied Clint Dempsey what would have been a wonderfully worked equaliser from a quick free-kick as Belgium hung on.

The victory takes Belgium into their first World Cup quarter-final for 28 years, when they reached the last four in Mexico only to be knocked out by Diego Maradona's Argentina.

US sports fans have taken to soccer in a big way as their team has been very competitive in this World Cup. Yesterday was a day of tension, excitement and ultimately disappointment for these fans at a viewing party at Veteran's Park in Redondo Beach, California as Belgium won in extra time, 2 - 1. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck

Earlier, Argentina captain Messi bagged his fourth man-of-the-match award in as many games after saving his team once more at Sao Paulo's Corinthians Arena. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186503/index.html)

Di Maria's strike in the 118th minute after a surging counter-attack launched by Messi settled a gritty duel just when penalties seemed a certainty.

The result was cruel on Switzerland, who looked to have done enough to take the game to a shoot-out with a disciplined defensive display that Argentina rarely looked like threatening.

But with two minutes left, Swiss fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner was caught in possession near halfway.
Messi accelerated clear, and after hurdling Fabian Schar's attempt to bring him down, slipped a pass to
Di Maria who swept the winner past Diego Benaglio.

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi (C) controls the ball next to Switzerland's midfielder and captain Goekhan Inler (L) and Switzerland's midfielder Gelson Fernandes in the second half of extra time. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Switzerland almost hit back with a dramatic equaliser but Blerim Dzemaili's downward header cannoned off the foot of the upright. The ball rebounded off him and just past the post.

Messi later admitted his side had been affected by nerves as the tension of the occasion got to his team.

"Suffering, suffering that's what I felt, but now we know we can go through times like this," said Messi.

"Just like everyone else, I imagine, at times I was nervous because we couldn't score a goal and any mistake would have put us out of the World Cup," Messi said.

The victories for Argentina and Belgium meant that all eight winners of the first round groups reached the quarter finals for the first time.

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