World Cup - Higuain ends drought to fire Argentina into semis.

           

.                        Higuaín celebra con Di María el tanto de Argentina

Gonzalo Higuain ended his own personal goal hell to fire Argentina into their first World Cup semi final in 24 years courtesy of a 1-0 win over Belgium in Brasilia.

The Napoli striker spun on a deflected Angel Di Maria pass to volley a sensational shot into the corner on eight minutes after some lovely approach play by Lionel Messi.

It ended a 528-minute drought for the forward and ensured La Albiceleste's three-match losing run at the quarter-final stage finally came to an end. 
                                                                                                        

Argentina carved out the better openings but were dealt a blow just past the half hour when Di Maria limped off injured after seeing a goalbound shot blocked.
It left more focus on Messi but the diminutive forward stepped up to the task, fizzing a free kick inches over the bar on an afternoon when he equalled Diego Maradona's haul of 91 caps for his country.
Belgium did have opportunities as the match wore on with Kevin Mirallas planting a free header agonisingly wide while at the other end Higuain clipped the bar after a probing run and shot.
Marouane Fellaini then nodded over when well placed and Kevin De Bruyne saw a shot deflect wide but the Red Devils couldn't launch another late rally and Argentina prevailed, despite a last-gasp Messi miss, to set up a last four encounter with Holland or Costa Rica.

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