Argentina vs Belgium live scores, odds, results, teams – Soccer, Football FIFA World Cup 2014

Marcos Rojo is going to sit out this game for Argentina after receiving a one game ban, as La Albiceleste travel to the Brazil National Stadium to take on the Red Devils of Belgium. Jose Basanta is likely to take his place while in other news, Sergio Kun Aguero has returned to light training following a thigh injury he sustained earlier in the tournament.

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Rodrigo Palacio is in strong contention to replace Ezequiel Lavezzi. In the Belgian camp, Steven Defour has returned with his one-game suspension being served out following a red card picked up against South Korea. Thomas Vermaelen has recovered from his hamstring injury and should also be available for selection this evening. Tonight’s game is expected to be a close encounter, with both teams boasting plenty of world-class striking talent. Strangely, Belgium are the slight favourites to win this, having started life at the tournament as dark horses.

Belgium have looked more lively the last two games with the game against the USA in particular outlining exactly why Tim Howard is the ‘keeper of choice in the American camp. He in turn outlined how good the Belgian front line were, pulling off an incredible fifteen saves, which is the tournament record this year. Should the Albiceleste stopper Romero not be up to par tonight, it’s anyone’s guess what the final scoreline might be. Argentina for their part haven’t really looked convincing in front of goal, with the last four winning results being only by single goal margins. It was thanks to Messi again that Argentina managed to squeeze past Switzerland and edge them 1-0, his incisive cross-box pass allowing Angel Di Maria to slot the ball precisely past the outstretched arm of Diego Benaglio.

Messi has actually been compared to the great Maradona who lit up every stage he touched in the 80s. Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen said of the gifted striker: “We have to stand together as a team. If Messi gets past one of us, then there must a second and third player ready to stop him.” Messi and Argentina shouldn’t and probably won’t expect to have it all their own way this evening however, with Belgium boasting a lineup full of attacking talent and goalscoring prowess. Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel said of this evening’s game: “I expect Argentina to look to dictate the play,” he said. “Hopefully that gives us room to infiltrate and our players can profit from the gaps they offer.”

Argentina have run out victors in the last three encounters with Belgium, however the Red Devils’ team has only really come into contention over the last two or three years with such stars as Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen to name but a few. Up front they have the talent of Divock Origi, currently wanted by several Premier League clubs including the mighty Liverpool. Also on the roster is Everton’s Kevin Mirallas, and of course the awesomely talented Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea. Argentina will not expect this encounter to be a walkover, and neither should they.

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