QF3. Choking Hazard?

[Wouter D]

Neither Argentina nor Belgium have been really tested in the group phase, and both teams needed extra time to get past their round of 16 foes. Argentina seem to consist of Messi and ten also-rans, while the Belgian players take turns to be the hero. Will their collective be able to generate the first upset of this quarter finals, or will Argentina prevail? Will the so far underwhelming Eden Hazard finally show up today?

This could be a good one.

[Etienne]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Demichelis will start for Argentina.

[Jah Womble]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Not sure I'd dismiss Di Maria as an 'also ran', but he probably more than most of his team mates seriously needs to raise his game. They were very uninspiring against Switzerland - whereas Belgium finally cranked into gear a little against the Yanks. Who knows how this'll pan out. Hope Lio's hungry.

(Good 'threader', btw.)

[John Godot]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

The Brazilian support for Belgium is drowning out the Argentine support. Not bad.

[Logan Mountstuart]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Is the slow pace of this thread the result of Brazil sucking the life force out of everybody last night?

Kom op Belgie!

[John Godot]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

I know it's only 5 minutes in and this will jinx it but it's been pretty nice so far.

[Logan Mountstuart]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Far from a jinx, John Godot.

[Borracho]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Why did Courtois not even bother diving for that?

It all came from a terrible pass by Kompany in his own half.

[Jimski]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Very well struck, that goal.

[Reed John]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Keller just said Belgium has the advantage in set pieces because they're bigger. If that's all they've got, they're done.

[Jah Womble]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Courtois didn't dive for it because he didn't appear to anticipate a shot coming in at all. Good finish that, however.

[steveeeeeeeee]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Superb goal, that. Huguain's ability to pause and completely shift his body weight in a milisecond to strike the ball perfectly was really impressive. Most people would just fall over before even attempting the shot.

[anton pulisov]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

As they have done throughout this tournament, Belgium look like a collection of very good players with no plan at all.

You have to wonder how well they'd do with a Belgian Louis van Gaal.

[Tony C]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

I think I may have just seen the worst corner of 2014.

[Reed John]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Fellaini

[anton pulisov]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

38 corners for Belgium in this World Cup. No goals.

[Reed John]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

That would have been a good spot for a somersault throw.

[Jah Womble]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Was the winner vs Russia not the result of a corner?

Is the slow pace of this thread the result of Brazil sucking the life force out of everybody last night?

You're thinking of Germany or France, AFAIC. Brazil may well be distinctly average, but at least they occasionally displayed a modicum of passion.

[Tony C]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Selected Ambient Works 85-92 wrote: Why did Courtois not even bother diving for that?

It all came from a terrible pass by Kompany in his own half.

That aside, Kompany is having a very good game.

[Kurt Bafokeng]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

I don't think it was passion that lacked in last night's late match.

[N est à?]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Angel di Maria, yesterday.

[Geoffrey de Ste. Croix]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Watching Belgium this world cup, it appears that every player travelled separately to Brazil, all of them staying in different hotels. They make their own way to the games and meet up with each other 15 minutes before kick off with Wilmots giving a cursory tactics talk. After each match they all bugger off again to their individual hotels and don’t see each other until the next fixture.

[Jah Womble]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

Bread crate for Di Maria?

Great. Now Argentina will defend this lead like their lives depend on it for an hour.

[The Awesome Berbaslug!!!]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

This Fellaini thing isn't working out for Belgium at all

[statto99]

QF3. Choking Hazard?

With Di Mario going off I'm left with only one Argentinian (Basanta) standing from four selected (Gago and Fernandez were left out).