KINGSTON, Jamaica – Argentina defeated Belgium 1-0 in a quarter final match Saturday that the South Americans controlled for much of its duration.

Gonzalo Higuan sent the Argentines ahead in the eighth minute knocking a deflected ball from Angel Di Maria.

However the Belgians were not out of the game and got a chance to equalise midway the first half when Sergio Romero was forced to parry a ferocious shot from outside the area, the rebound just missing an onrushing Belgium forward.

Lionel Messi proving a bother for the Belgians throughout, split the defence with a precision pass from half line as the first half wound down with Belgium captain Vinicent Kompany scrambling to stop Di Maria from scoring. Di Maria was later taken off with an injury.

Fighting back, a sharp header just missing the upright as the half drew to a close also gave the Belgians some hope.

On the resumption Higuan could have doubled Argentina’s lead but for blasting against the bar with clear chance on goal.

Later in the half Messi also missed an opportunity when he was stopped by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in a one-on-one.

Argentina will play the winner of the other quarter final between Netherlands and Costa Rica.