Brasilia’s famed sense of order is likely to be swept away today as Argentina’s vast army of supporters descend on the capital. About
100,000 of them are estimated to have shown up in Sao Paulo for the defeat of Switzerland on Tuesday. That the Belgians, too, will be outnumbered this time goes without saying but whether they will be outgunned is another thing.
To date, Argentina have appeared to be holding just one ace. Lionel Messi has excelled and it is just as well for Alejandro Sabella's side might well have been leading a mass exodus of their countrymen back out of Brazil by now had the 27-year-old not taken a succession of games by the scruff of the neck at key moments.
His goals have been absolutely critical to the group wins they achieved and against the Swiss it was left to the Barcelona forward to set up the decisive strike. Stars like him have hauled teams like his to the title before but it's dangerous to depend on it and really some of his supporting cast could do with lending a hand. Gonzalo Higuaín, in particular, has been poor and if Sergio Aguero does not return from injury to start then Ezequiel Lavezzi needs to make more of an impact while the team's back four will have to tighten things up a little against a Belgian line up that contains its own fair share of creative talent.
Collective strength
Marc Wilmots
has been bullish about his side’s prospects, insisting that he would always take the collective strength of his own group over the standout skills of a Messi but his difficulty is that he is more dependent on everyone contributing and, so far, some of his preferred starting XI have blown hot and cold.
Romelu Lukaku is a prime example but the striker's extra-time goal against the United States might herald a return to form and prompt a recall to the starting line up. Wilmots, in any case, will have his hand strengthened due to the fitness of Thomas Vermaelen while Steven Defour is available again after suspension but remains less likely to start.
The coach will be acutely aware of the need to maintain focus and discipline at the back, both of which crumbled as the team tired late on against the Americans, who had three or four clear cut chances to score after having halved the Belgian lead. The Arsenal defender should be a big help on that front.
The Belgians created an awful lot of chances themselves against the US with many coming from the attacking end of midfield where Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne have grown into the tournament nicely. The pair will both pose a significant threat to the an Argentine defence that is flattered somewhat by its goals against tally.
