Relieved goal hero Higuain takes pressure off Messi

Argentina 1 Belgium 0

Higuain played his best match of the tournament, scoring the goal, hitting the crossbar and threatening on a number of other occasions.

It was a timely response, especially as some critics, such as Diego Maradona, had been questioning his value to the team and highlighting the fact the Napoli striker had yet to score.

Higuain had been a doubt for the tournament after picking up an ankle injury playing club football in Italy.

The 26-year-old said: “It’s not been an easy situation for me. I very nearly didn’t make it to the World Cup at all, but fortunately everything has worked out and I’ve been able to get that goal.”

Higuain’s performance showed he has suffered no ill-effects from the injury, not least with one fabulous run from the halfway line which saw him nutmeg Vincent Kompany before striking a fierce shot which clipped the crossbar.

That sort of confident display will be vital for the semi-final against Holland in Sao Paulo on Wednesday — especially if Messi continues to play in a deeper, midfield role. Messi was still hugely effective, but he admitted the extra running came at a cost.

“It was a different position and I had to run more than usual so I was a little tired, but we are playing as a team,” the Barcelona forward said.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella praised Messi’s contribution in a midfield role.

He said “I felt he played a wonderful match. That a player like Messi almost never loses the ball is water in the desert — he gives us that water in the desert.”

Sabella may have to plan for the rest of the tournament without Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, who limped out of the match with a thigh problem.

He said: “Angel has a problem in his right thigh and will have some tests and we will see, he is one of the key figures for us.”

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots labelled Argentina as “ordinary” and accused the referee, Nicola Rizzoli of Italy, of giving Lionel Messi an easy ride.

The Belgium coach said: “We were not impressed by the Argentinians.

“Every time something happens with Messi the referee gives him a free-kick.”

ARGENTINA: Romero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Basanta, Biglia, Mascherano, Lavezzi (Palacio 71), Messi, Di Maria (Perez 33), Higuain (Gago 81).

BELGIUM: Courtois, Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Witsel, Mirallas (Mertens 59), De Bruyne, Hazard (Chadli 75), Origi (Lukaku 59).

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy).