Belgium face Argentina in QFs

Argentina fans will swarm the Brazilian capital Brasilia to watch their team compete for a place in the World Cup semi-finals against Belgium. More than 70,000 descended on Sao Paulo for the last round win against Switzerland and the same figure is expected to cross the border and head for Brasilia.

All hopes are pinned upon Barcelona ace Lionel Messi, who has been influential in all of Argentina's World Cup clashes so far. His darting run late in extra-time opened the space for Angel di Maria to slot home the winning goal and send the South American fans into raptures.

Like Diego Maradona in 1986, Messi is the lynchpin of the team, the poster boy and the match-winner. He has scored four goals in four matches with the margin of victories for the Argentines extremely narrow.

But does Argentina rely too much on the four-time winner of FIFA's award for the best player on the planet? According to head coach Alejandro Sabella, the teamwork is more important than Messi's moments of individual brilliance.

"I believe that this is work that is done by the entire team," the coach said. "Obviously he (Messi) is the best player in the world but there is teamwork. It's a team that supports Messi, makes him stronger, makes him feel well.

"And therefore Messi performs as he's doing," Sabella said. "Four years ago he was criticized. Now we say we greatly depend on Messi. It is not easy."

Perhaps Sabella has a point. Many of Argentina's other players have performed strongly throughout the competition. Real Madrid's di Maria, for example, has continued his excellent year after winning the Champions League with the Spanish club, while suspended defender Marcos Rojo has shown some fine defensive and attacking qualities.

Regardless, however, Messi's contribution will have a significant say in how Argentina finish the 2014 World Cup. He'll need to break one losing streak, in any case, facing the outstanding Atletico Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian has kept seven clean sheets against Messi from Atletico-Barca encounters over the years.

We'll attack, says Wilmots

Belgium have squeezed through each round of fixtures with some unconvincing performances, only managing to score all of their goals after the 70th minute. Their last-16 game against the USA went into extra time, when the Red Devils took a two-goal lead only for Jürgen Klinsmann's side to hit back with a consolation goal.

But Belgium pounded their North American opponents with shots from all over the place. Tim Howard, the USA goalkeeper, was forced into 16 saves, while Belgium peppered his goal with 37 shots, the fourth-highest amount in World Cup since 1966.

With Kevin de Bruyne of Wolfsburg in attack, who created 10 chances, Belgium look potent opposition. Meanwhile, the return of Jan Vertonghen in defense has bolstered Marc Wilmots' options.

"We've studied them and we'll stick to our philosophy of going forward. We won't just defend," said Wilmots. "We play compact football and we don't leave a lot of space. We have to attack and defend together. It's all a matter of balance between attack and defence, but it's a quarter-final. We can write history. The players know this and we're going to play our own game."

Belgium have only reached the semi-finals once before, in 1986 against Argentina, who went on to win the tournament. The Red Devils have lived up to their dark-horse billing this year, reaching the quarters - but a strong test awaits Messi and co.

Best in three decades

Elsewhere, in Salvador, the Netherlands are continuing their quest to win a first World Cup, facing surprise package Costa Rica. Head coach Louis van Gaal has guided his team through the group phases and past a stubborn Mexico last week, with a core of homegrown youngsters - the youngest squad in Brazil - at the heart of the team. At the beginning of the tournament, the Dutch were not classed as tournament favourites, but the tide has changed in a few weeks.

"That is the biggest difference since we beat Spain. I've really seen the confidence grow as we finished top of our group. Mine is a team that will be fighting to stay in contention until the last minute at this World Cup and you will see the evidence of that in our next three matches. But that you already knew," he winked at reporters.

He continued when asked about his side's chances of reaching the final: "The issue is what our own objective is. Our goal was always to become world champions. We are a team that is difficult to beat. We are not a fantastic team but we are difficult to beat, and we have showed that and hope we can keep that up until the final."

With a record number of goals scored, the 2014 World Cup has been an absorbing spectacle. Favored teams like Spain and Italy have dropped out, while the underdogs have been able to produce some unbelievable upsets. Holland's experienced head coach, joining Manchester United in the summer, said this tournament is one of the best.

"It seems there is hardly any difference between the teams, and the eagerness to win is incredible," he said. "I think it's the best World Cup in the last 30 years."