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UPDATE: The good news for the Belgians is that they kept Argentina’s Lionel Messi from scoring. The bad news is that they didn’t stop Gonzalo Higuain, whose goal just eight minutes into the match was enough for Argentina to win 1-0, and head to the semifinals to play the Netherlands on Wednesday.
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The quarterfinal match between Argentina and Belgium (12 PM ET/4 PM UTC) boils down to one word: Messi.
Belgium’s coach Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said that his team are not favorites against Argentina, but that “there is a lack of balance in their team,” referring to their reliance on Messi. Argentina admits that they perhaps lean on the star player a bit too much, but also acknowledge that he’s a huge asset, and a major part of their success so far. If Belgium can stop Messi, they’re through to the semifinals; if not, they’re on a flight home.
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