Angel Di Maria's extra-time winner carried Argentina into the World Cup quarter-finals after an unconvincing display against Switzerland. The two-time champions pretty much dominated possession in a turgid last-sixteen tie, but were unable to break through until Di Maria swept in Lionel Messi's pass. It really was a sodding dreadful game, dear blog reader, easily the worst of this superb tournament and bringing to mind Switzerland's game at the same stage against Ukraine in 2006, quite possibly the worst match in the history of the World Cup. Bar none. As in that game, it seemed that Switzerland had decided to play for penalties but, thanks to Di Maria's last gasp winner, we will never get the chance to find out whether they've improved on their wretched from the twelve yard spot which they demonstrated in that tie eight years ago when they also played for penalties, achieved their aim and then, promptly, missed all of their spot kicks. One almost has to admire forward planning like that, dear blog reader. One hundred and twenty minutes of sheer boredom this time around was, at least, enlivened in the final few minutes after the goal as the Switzerland defender Blerim Dzemaili headed against the Argentina post then prodded wide as the seconds ticked away. Argentina will now face Belgium in the last eight on Saturday. It was a remarkable conclusion to a match which saw Argentina, rated among the favourites to win the World Cup, produce yet another distinctly average performance. Real Madrid winger Di Maria was wasteful in promising positions throughout but kept his composure when it mattered most, coolly sweeping an angled shot into the bottom corner after Messi's pass found him advancing into the area. About forty thousand noisy, sweaty Argentina fans were estimated to be inside the Arena de Sao Paulo and Di Maria's late intervention sparked wild celebrations between players and fans. But it was a heartbreaking end for Switzerland and particularly their veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, whose thirty one-year managerial career ended in such a cruel fashion. The sixty five-year-old German, who was twice voted World Coach of the Year, retires after winning nineteen major club trophies for Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund and Grasshoppers of Zurich. Argentina failed to find top form during the group stage as Messi's brilliance inspired them to three narrow victories against Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran and Nigeria. 
And, they failed to impress again as Switzerland, who progressed as Group E runners-up with wins against Ecuador and Honduras, frustrated them for long periods. Hitzfeld appeared to have instructed his defence to sit deep and crowd out Argentina's attacking players, which worked perfectly as the South Americans dominated possession but had few clear-cut chances to show for it. Messi was regularly deprived of space in the first half by a host of red shirts. The Swiss offered little forward threat themselves, focusing more on keeping their shape. But just before the half-hour mark, it was Hitzfeld's side who created the best chances of the opening forty five minutes. Xherdan Shaqiri's cute cutback found Granit Xhaka, whose drilled shot was palmed clear by Sergio Romero. And the Argentina keeper then sprang quickly to his feet to block Stephan Lichtsteiner's long-range shot seconds later. It might have served as a warning for Argentina - but they failed to take notice. Shaqiri pinched possession to pick out Josip Drmic but, as an indecisive Romero decided to stay close to his goalline, the Swiss striker's weak attempt to chip him was easily gathered by the Argentine. Although the South Americans began to move the ball more quickly after the interval, only Messi looked capable of unlocking Switzerland's sturdy defence. The Barcelona star sent a vicious volley dipping over the crossbar before jinking into the penalty area shortly after, forcing Diego Benaglio to push out his low shot. Switzerland barely moved the ball out of their own half in the final twenty minutes as Messi continued to orchestrate Argentina's best attacking moves. But neither side could find a late winner as the match went into extra time - the fourth of seven second-round ties to do so. The European side stuck rigidly to their game plan in the additional half-hour, refusing to become more adventurous as penalties approached - before Di Maria finally netted with Argentina's twenty eighth effort at goal. Benaglio joined the Swiss attack in a frantic final few minutes and his side came desperately close to saving themselves when an unmarked Dzemaili headed down onto the foot of a post from inside the six-yard box, before jabbing a leg instinctively at the rebound. There was still time for Shaqiri to hit a free-kick into the wall before Argentina's bid for a third World Cup progressed to a quarter-final in Brasilia on Saturday.
Belgium's so-called 'golden generation' earned the chance to live up to their billing as they reached a first World Cup quarter-final for twenty eight years with an extra-time win over the USA in Salvador. This was another brilliant and breathless occasion and Belgium walked away as deserving winners but only after a performance of incredible spirit and bravery from the Merkins. As it was, Kevin de Bruyne scored the goal that finally broke USA resistance in the second minute of extra time at Arena Fonte Nova. Substitute Romelu Lukaku fired in a second eleven minutes later to apparently end the contest. But, like Algeria the day before, the US would not go quietly into that dark night. From nowhere they found hope with a goal from substitute Julian Green, who volleyed brilliantly past Thibaut Courtois. Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey then both had chances to take the match to penalties but neither was able to convert and extend the USA's dream. That Jurgen Klinsmann's men survived so long owed everything to an outstanding goalkeeping performance by Tim Howard, who made a record number of saves in a World Cup match. In front of him, his team-mates were simply outclassed. Belgium will now play Argentina in a mouth-watering quarter-final in Brasilia on Saturday. On this evidence, they will take some beating. This was a battle of flair against function. Belgium, with their jet-heeled forwards and unquestioned technical superiority, against the organisation and energy of the United States.
Eden Hazard and Divock Origi were a pair of nuisances and their willingness to run at their opponents, and sheer athletic ability, caused the US problems throughout the one hundred and twenty minutes. Kevin De Bruyne scuffed two chances wide and sent a third straight at Howard as Klinsmann's side too often left themselves open to the counter-attack - Hazard, De Bruyne, Origi and Jan Vertonghen rampaged into wide open spaces in the US half. DaMarcus Beasley's vital interception then denied Marouane Felliani at the back post as Belgium took the game by the scruff of the neck. The US were reliant on Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey to create their best moments and the pair combined to test Courtois just before half-time. If the US had been second best in the first half, they hung on in the second. Belgium monopolised possession as the US dropped deeper and deeper. Toby Alderweireld was finding space down the right from where he delivered a cross that Origi headed onto the top of Howard's crossbar. Hazard went close with flick soon after, and the introduction of substitute Kevin Mirallas only reinforced Belgium's dominance. He scythed through the US defence, the ball running to Origi, whose shot was beaten away by Howard. Moments later, Howard was sprawling low to flick a shot away from Mirallas, his Everton team-mate, before Hazard drew another brilliant save. The veteran keeper was at it again soon after, tipping Origi's fierce shot over. Somehow, the US got over the line and into extra time - but the respite was brief. The introduction of Lukaku had an immediate impact. He burst down the right and although his cross-shot was blocked by Matt Besler, De Bruyne pounced on the loose ball, found a yard of space and shot unerringly into the far corner. De Bruyne then turned provider to find Chelsea striker, who turned the ball into the net with a brilliant finish at the near post. With the US apparently dead and buried, there was a twist in the tale. Green, on as a substitute, latched onto Bradley's floated pass and fired a stunning volley beyond Courtois with practically his first touch of the match. As late as it was, the US found new purpose. Jones poked just wide, before Dempsey found himself in possession eight yards out after a clever free-kick. The stadium held its breath but the American was denied by Courtois once more.
Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2014 World Cup with a groin injury. De Jong was forced off nine minutes into the last 16 game against Mexico on Sunday which they won 2-1. The Dutch face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals on Saturday, but will be without the AC Milan midfielder who had played all three of their group games.
And, they failed to impress again as Switzerland, who progressed as Group E runners-up with wins against Ecuador and Honduras, frustrated them for long periods. Hitzfeld appeared to have instructed his defence to sit deep and crowd out Argentina's attacking players, which worked perfectly as the South Americans dominated possession but had few clear-cut chances to show for it. Messi was regularly deprived of space in the first half by a host of red shirts. The Swiss offered little forward threat themselves, focusing more on keeping their shape. But just before the half-hour mark, it was Hitzfeld's side who created the best chances of the opening forty five minutes. Xherdan Shaqiri's cute cutback found Granit Xhaka, whose drilled shot was palmed clear by Sergio Romero. And the Argentina keeper then sprang quickly to his feet to block Stephan Lichtsteiner's long-range shot seconds later. It might have served as a warning for Argentina - but they failed to take notice. Shaqiri pinched possession to pick out Josip Drmic but, as an indecisive Romero decided to stay close to his goalline, the Swiss striker's weak attempt to chip him was easily gathered by the Argentine. Although the South Americans began to move the ball more quickly after the interval, only Messi looked capable of unlocking Switzerland's sturdy defence. The Barcelona star sent a vicious volley dipping over the crossbar before jinking into the penalty area shortly after, forcing Diego Benaglio to push out his low shot. Switzerland barely moved the ball out of their own half in the final twenty minutes as Messi continued to orchestrate Argentina's best attacking moves. But neither side could find a late winner as the match went into extra time - the fourth of seven second-round ties to do so. The European side stuck rigidly to their game plan in the additional half-hour, refusing to become more adventurous as penalties approached - before Di Maria finally netted with Argentina's twenty eighth effort at goal. Benaglio joined the Swiss attack in a frantic final few minutes and his side came desperately close to saving themselves when an unmarked Dzemaili headed down onto the foot of a post from inside the six-yard box, before jabbing a leg instinctively at the rebound. There was still time for Shaqiri to hit a free-kick into the wall before Argentina's bid for a third World Cup progressed to a quarter-final in Brasilia on Saturday. Belgium's so-called 'golden generation' earned the chance to live up to their billing as they reached a first World Cup quarter-final for twenty eight years with an extra-time win over the USA in Salvador. This was another brilliant and breathless occasion and Belgium walked away as deserving winners but only after a performance of incredible spirit and bravery from the Merkins. As it was, Kevin de Bruyne scored the goal that finally broke USA resistance in the second minute of extra time at Arena Fonte Nova. Substitute Romelu Lukaku fired in a second eleven minutes later to apparently end the contest. But, like Algeria the day before, the US would not go quietly into that dark night. From nowhere they found hope with a goal from substitute Julian Green, who volleyed brilliantly past Thibaut Courtois. Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey then both had chances to take the match to penalties but neither was able to convert and extend the USA's dream. That Jurgen Klinsmann's men survived so long owed everything to an outstanding goalkeeping performance by Tim Howard, who made a record number of saves in a World Cup match. In front of him, his team-mates were simply outclassed. Belgium will now play Argentina in a mouth-watering quarter-final in Brasilia on Saturday. On this evidence, they will take some beating. This was a battle of flair against function. Belgium, with their jet-heeled forwards and unquestioned technical superiority, against the organisation and energy of the United States.
Eden Hazard and Divock Origi were a pair of nuisances and their willingness to run at their opponents, and sheer athletic ability, caused the US problems throughout the one hundred and twenty minutes. Kevin De Bruyne scuffed two chances wide and sent a third straight at Howard as Klinsmann's side too often left themselves open to the counter-attack - Hazard, De Bruyne, Origi and Jan Vertonghen rampaged into wide open spaces in the US half. DaMarcus Beasley's vital interception then denied Marouane Felliani at the back post as Belgium took the game by the scruff of the neck. The US were reliant on Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey to create their best moments and the pair combined to test Courtois just before half-time. If the US had been second best in the first half, they hung on in the second. Belgium monopolised possession as the US dropped deeper and deeper. Toby Alderweireld was finding space down the right from where he delivered a cross that Origi headed onto the top of Howard's crossbar. Hazard went close with flick soon after, and the introduction of substitute Kevin Mirallas only reinforced Belgium's dominance. He scythed through the US defence, the ball running to Origi, whose shot was beaten away by Howard. Moments later, Howard was sprawling low to flick a shot away from Mirallas, his Everton team-mate, before Hazard drew another brilliant save. The veteran keeper was at it again soon after, tipping Origi's fierce shot over. Somehow, the US got over the line and into extra time - but the respite was brief. The introduction of Lukaku had an immediate impact. He burst down the right and although his cross-shot was blocked by Matt Besler, De Bruyne pounced on the loose ball, found a yard of space and shot unerringly into the far corner. De Bruyne then turned provider to find Chelsea striker, who turned the ball into the net with a brilliant finish at the near post. With the US apparently dead and buried, there was a twist in the tale. Green, on as a substitute, latched onto Bradley's floated pass and fired a stunning volley beyond Courtois with practically his first touch of the match. As late as it was, the US found new purpose. Jones poked just wide, before Dempsey found himself in possession eight yards out after a clever free-kick. The stadium held its breath but the American was denied by Courtois once more. Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2014 World Cup with a groin injury. De Jong was forced off nine minutes into the last 16 game against Mexico on Sunday which they won 2-1. The Dutch face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals on Saturday, but will be without the AC Milan midfielder who had played all three of their group games.
