Higuain's early goal stands, Argentina reaches semis for first time since '90

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Gonzalo Higuain's first goal of this World Cup sent Argentina into the semifinals on Saturday with a 1-0 win over a disappointing

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Gonzalo Higuain's first goal of this World Cup sent Argentina into the semifinals on Saturday with a 1-0 win over a disappointing Belgium.

Argentina, which hadn't advanced past the World Cup quarterfinals since 1990, put in its best performance so far in the tournament, controlling the match after Higuain's eighth-minute goal. The Napoli striker fired home Angel Di Maria's deflected pass just inside the area, beating Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a low shot to the far corner of the net.

Higuain came close to making it 2-0 in the second half when his shot smashed into the crossbar. Lionel Messi missed a chance to score his fifth goal of the tournament in stoppage time when Courtois stopped his shot.

Belgium lacked the creativity to find a way past Argentina's defensive line, and created few clear chances apart from a pair of headers by Kevin Mirallas and Marouane Fellaini.

Argentina's next opponent will be the winner of the last quarterfinal between the Netherlands and Costa Rica, who were playing later Saturday in Salvador. Argentina was knocked out in the quarterfinals in the previous two World Cups, both times by Germany. The last time it reached the semifinal stage was 24 years ago in Italy, when Diego Maradona led the team to the final, which it lost 1-0 to West Germany.

On Saturday, Argentina never lost control even after Di Maria — the team's most influential player in Brazil aside from Messi — was substituted by Enzo Perez in the 33rd. The winger had appeared to hurt his right leg while taking a shot five minutes earlier.

Argentina took the lead when Di Maria picking up a pass from Messi, cut in from the right and tried to find fullback Pablo Zabaleta, but his pass bounced off Jan Vertonghen into Higuain's path. The Napoli striker avenged himself for a string of mediocre performances in Brazil and was Argentina's best player before being substituted by Fernando Gago in the 81st.

Here's how Argentina advanced:

Live Blog World Cup Quarterfinals: Argentina vs. Belgium

GALLERY: Shots from Belgium 2, USA 1

U.S. vs. Belgium

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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American teammates Matt Besler and Jermaine Jones challenge Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini in the first half.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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American goalkeeper Tim Howard is tested early on in the match against Belgium.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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Head coaches Jurgen Klinsmann and Belgium's Marc Wilmots greet each other before kickoff.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini and U.S. defender DaMarcus Beasley jockey for position as they chase after the ball.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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Belgium fans soak up the atmosphere prior to the game against the U.S.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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U.S. fans cheer during the game.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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United States' Fabian Johnson and Belgium's Daniel Van Buyten go up for a header.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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American defender Geoff Cameron tries to hold off Belgium's Eden Hazard.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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American goalie Tim Howard saves Belgian defender Vincent Kompany's shot in the second half.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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Tim Howard makes a save in extra time of the U.S.-Belgium Round of 16 match in the World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil. The American goalie made a total of 16 saves on the night, setting a new record for the most saves in recorded World Cup history.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne (#7) scores for his country in the first half of extra time, breaking the 0-0 deadlock.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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Belgium's Romelu Lukaku shoots and scores his country's second goal of extra time against the U.S.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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Belgian goalie Thibaut Courtois looks behind him as American substitute Julian Green's shot goes in to make the score 2-1.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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U.S. substitute Julian Green (#16) celebrates his extra time goal that made the score Belgium 2-1 United States. Unfortunately the U.S. couldn't capitalize on the momentum Green's goal created and eventually lost the game.

Belgium 2, U.S. 1

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American players console each other after the loss while Belgian players celebrate in the background.