Matchday 5 of the Brazil World Cup continues this evening as four sides square up for the right to join Brazil and Germany in the semi-finals. First up, Argentina take on Belgium in the 5pm showdown before Holland and underdogs Costa Rica go head-to-head in the 9pm kick-off:
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Garay, Demichelis, Basanta; Mascherano, Biglia, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain, Lavezzi
Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vertonghen;Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne; Mirallas, Origi, Hazard
In the later match, Louis Van Gaal’s men are seeking a fifth straight victory to take them into the last four. The Dutch have racked up 12 goals on their way to the quarter-finals and, with three strikes apiece, front two Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben have netted half their nation’s goals, with the latter also chipping in with an assist. Van Persie will be expected to retain his starting berth in spite of a poor showing against Mexico last time around, whilst Daley Blind’s Fantasy owners will be looking for the Ajax man to add to his current tally of three assists – if Nigel de Jong fails to recover from injury, Blind is expected to start in central midfield this evening.
The Costa Ricans have already shown they are no pushovers though. Back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Italy helped clinch Group D and with just two goals conceded over the tournament so far, Keylor Navas has been an inspiration between the posts for Jorge Luis Pinto’s side. Having scored each of his side’s last two goals, Bryan Ruiz is the main threat from the underdogs, though Joel Campbell, with a goal and assist to his name, and left winger Christian Bolanos, with a pair of assists, could also be key in providing an upset.
10 years, 4 months agodifferential: Lavezzi