TEAM NEWS
Argentina left-back Marcos Rojo serves a one-game ban, with Jose Basanta expected to deputise for him.
Sergio Aguero has returned to light training following a thigh problem but is unlikely to start, while Rodrigo Palacio could replace Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Belgium welcome back midfielder Steven Defour, who has completed a one-game suspension following his red card against South Korea.
Thomas Vermaelen should be available after a hamstring problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again - advice both Argentina and Belgium heeded as they belatedly booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with extra-time victories.
Belgium's tie with the USA would surely have been settled inside 90 minutes but for an inspirational performance from American goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made 15 saves - a tournament record.
Argentina's frustration was more of their own making as they laboured to victory against Switzerland. All four of their wins in Brazil have been by a single-goal margin, and once again they were indebted to a piece of Lionel Messi magic.
Although the Argentine captain could not get on the score sheet for a fourth successive game, it was his incisive break and inch-perfect pass which allowed Angel Di Maria to net the winner.
Messi will win his 91st cap against Belgium, equalling the total number of appearances made by Diego Maradona, and this match invites obvious comparisons between the two men.
One of Maradona's finest moments for La Albiceleste came against Belgium in the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup, when he scored a brilliant solo goal.
Belgium were also the opposition when he was captured in an iconic photo at the 1982 World Cup, closely shadowed by no fewer than six opposition players.
The current Belgium squad recognise similar tactics may be required to stop Messi, according to Jan Vertonghen.
"We have to stand together as team. If Messi gets past one of us, then there must a second and third player ready to stop him," says the Tottenham defender.
Yet it is unlikely to be all one-way traffic in Brasilia, with Belgium boasting plenty of attacking talent capable of unsettling the Argentine backline.
Midfielder Axel Witsel feels taking on more attack-minded opponents could suit his team.
"I expect Argentina to look to dictate the play," he said. "Hopefully that gives us room to infiltrate and our players can profit from the gaps they offer. "
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Argentina have won three of their previous four encounters with Belgium.
- The two World Cup meetings have produced a win apiece.
- Belgium won 1-0 in a group game at Barcelona's Camp Nou at the 1982 World Cup. Four years later Argentina won a semi-final 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
- That match at Mexico '86 is the most recent game between the sides.
Argentina
- Argentina have been eliminated in their last three World Cup quarter-finals. They lost to Germany in 2010 and Netherlands in 1998, also bowing out to the Germans in 2006 after a penalty shoot-out.
- Excluding shoot-outs, Argentina have not won a World Cup quarter-final since defeating England 2-1 in 1986.
- They have averaged 64.3% possession so far at this tournament, the highest ratio of any side prior to the quarter-finals.
- Lionel Messi has scored or assisted five of Argentina's seven goals at the 2014 World Cup. Three of his four goals have been scored from outside the penalty area.
- Argentina are unbeaten in the last 25 games in which Messi has featured (W18, D7).
- Victory against the Swiss in the last round was the first World Cup match Argentina have won in the month of July since beating the same opponents in 1966 (excludes penalty shoot-outs).
Belgium
- This is only the second time Belgium have reached the World Cup quarter-finals. They beat Spain on penalties to advance to the last four in 1986 after a 1-1 draw in Puebla.
- The Belgians have had more shots at this World Cup (83, including blocked efforts) than any other side prior to the quarter-finals.
- All six of their goals in Brazil have been scored from the 70th minute onwards, with four of those strikes netted by substitutes.
- Belgium are unbeaten in the 21 games in which goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has played for them.
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