World Cup quarter-finals continue on Saturday with two more games. SkySports.com(SportingAlert.com) — World Cup quarter-finals action will continue on Saturday as Argentina take on Belgium and the Netherlands face Costa Rica in the second match.
All four teams are seeking to join Brazil and Germany in the semi-finals, with an eye on playing in the final not too far off the agenda.
Argentina will meet Belgium at 12 pm ET (13:00 local time) and the Netherlands take on Costa Rica at 4 pm ET (17:00 local time). Live streaming and TV channels coverage will be on ABC, Watch ABC, ESPN3.com, WatchESPN, Univision, STV Scotland, BBC Radio 5 Live, The ITV Player, UTV, ITV 1 UK, CBC Sports Live Streaming, BBC iPlayer, TalkSport Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live, ESPN Radio, SuperSport Streaming, beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD (Arabia), SuperSport 3, SBS One Australia, RTE Player, RTE 2, Canal 7 TV Publica, DeporTV, TyC Sports Argentina, DIRECTV Argentina, RTBF LiveCenter, La Deux, Canvas, Sporza Live Streaming, Repretel En Vivo, Teletica En Vivo, Repretel HD, Nederland 1, NOS Live Streaming, Sky Sport 5 NZ, TVNZ On-Demand, TV One, SKY GO.
Argentina v Belgium
In the opening game at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, Lionel Messi and Argentina will face Belgium with a place in the semi-finals at stake. Messi has been the star man so far for Argentina, and it took another bit of his magic to setup the goal that Angel Di Maria scored in the win over Switzerland in the round of 16.
However, several Argentina former players, including the legend Diego Maradona, voiced their concerns over the strain being put on the Barcelona forward to carry such a talented team, and called on the rest of his teammates to lift their games. The South Americans come into the game having won three of their prior four meetings with Belgium, with the Argentines scoring 10 of the 14 total goals scored.
They share one win each though in the two previous World Cup clashes. Speaking about talents, Belgium has one of the best group of individuals at this years tournament. After strolling through the group stages, the team finally showed why they are considered a real contender, with a dominating performance against the United States in the last 16 earlier this week.
On Saturday, Marc Wilmots side will be looking to make only there second World Cup semis. They defeated Spain on penalties to book a place into the last four in 1986 after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw.
Netherlands v Costa Rica
Meanwhile, in the second match at the Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, the Netherlands, beaten finalists from the 2010 World Cup tournament, take on Costa Rica, the cinderella team of the 2014 World Cup.
Holland, who had to battle hard to shake of Mexico with two late goals in their round of 16 clash, head into the game with injury concerns as captain and leading forward Robin van Persie and midfielder Wesley Sneijder are both nursing minor injuries.
No-nonsense midfielder Nigel de Jong is out for the rest of the tournament with a groin injury, which could see head coach Louis van Gaal making a few adjustments to his setup.
Bayern Munich forward Arjen Robben, who has been one of the spotlighted-players at this year’s tournament, will again have the eyes of the world on him, and indeed his actions on the pitch.
In the meantime, Costa Rica, who beat Greece on penalties in their last 16 game, also have injury worries, with goalkeeper Keylor Navas being troubled by a shoulder injury. He is expected to be fit, as the CONCACAF side, which is unbeaten in their four World Cup matches so far for the very first time, look to extend that run.
They will have to do so without defender Oscar Duarte, who will miss the game because of suspension, and Roy Miller is out with a foot problem.
This is the first time that the Netherlands and Costa Rica will meet.
