World Cup

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Attendance: 68,551

World Cup | Quarter-Finals

Jul 5, 2014 at 5pm UK

Argentina
1-0
Belgium

Higuain (8')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Half-Time Report: Gonzalo Higuain fires Argentina in front against Belgium

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor

Published: July 5 2014 | 17:47

Last updated: July 5 2014 | 17:57

Gonzalo Higuain gives Argentina a half-time lead in their World Cup quarter-final against Belgium in Brasilia.

Gonzalo Higuain has given Argentina a half-time lead in their World Cup quarter-final against Belgium in Brasilia.

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain scores the opening goal of the 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Belgium in Brasilia on July 5, 2014 © AFP

The Napoli man instinctively finished a bouncing ball on the turn after Angel di Maria's pass had taken a slight deflection and popped his way in the eighth minute.

It was Higuain's first goal for his country since August 2013.

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain celebrates with teammates Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi and Lucas Biglia after scoring the opening goal against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final in Brasilia on July 5, 2014 © Getty Images

Belgium were largely restricted to long-range efforts in the first half, the best of which came from Chelsea's Kevin de Bruyne in the 25th minute when he stung the palms of Sergio Romero.

Everton winger Kevin Mirallas had the Red Devils' best chance of the first half, meeting a vicious cross from Jan Vertonghen and steering his header a yard wide of the post.

Although in front, Argentina lost one of their key players when Di Maria had to be substituted with an injury in the 33rd minute.

Lionel Messi almost made it two just before half time when a free kick from just outside the area whizzed over the crossbar.

Follow the second-half action on Sports Mole with our minute-by-minute updates here.