World Cup 2014: Argentina v Belgium – in pictures

Belgium and Argentina fans enjoy the harmonious atmosphere inside the stadium Photograph: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

No prizes for guessing who these fans think is the greatest player Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

The teams line up inside a packed Mane Garrincha National Stadium Photograph: Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images

It is a positive start from Argentina, with Lionel Messi taking the game to the Belgians Photograph: Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images

The positive attitude pays off in the eighth minute when the ball breaks to Gonzalo Higuaín at the edge of the area and the striker produces a superb instinctive finish to sweep it first time into the bottom corner of the goal Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Thibaut Courtois had no chance to stop the ball rippling the back of the net Photograph: Pool/Reuters

Higuain makes sure everyone knows who has put Argentina ahead Photograph: Ballesteros/EPA

The Argentina fans celebrate their lead Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Axel Witsel comes off worst in this tussle with Lionel Messi Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Javier Mascherano gets the better of Kevin De Bruyne Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Lionel Messi dances through the Belgium defence on the edge of the box and after being kicked four times eventually goes down Photograph: Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images

The Belgium players appeal to referee Nicola Rizzoli but their pleas fall on deaf ears Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Messi gets up, dusts himself down and fires a fierce free-kick just wide of the target. It's 1-0 to Argentina when the teams go in at half-time Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Thibaut Courtois flicks the ball away before Martin Demichelis can get his head on it Photograph: Dominic Ebenbichler/Reuters

Just before the hour mark Gonzalo Higuain almost gets his, and Argentina's, second. He showed strength and skill to run past two defenders and then nutmegged Kompany! Courtois came out to try to stop him from crowning the run with a goal but the striker fired past him ... and out off the crossbar Photograph: Pool/Getty Images

The Belgian fans aren't enjoying this Photograph: Stephanie Lecocq/EPA

Jose Basanta focuses as he clears the ball Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

And Marouane Fellaini focuses as he heads clear Photograph: Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images

That's gotta hurt as Vincent Kompany and Lionel Messi tussle for the ball Photograph: Dennis Sabangan/EPA

Marouane Fellaini keeps the ball from Ezequiel Garay Photograph: Andre Chaco/Fotoarena/Corbis

During injury time Messi is all on his own as he scampers towards the Belgian goal He could seal victory but Courtois comes out, stays big and makes a great block Photograph: Juan Mabromata/AFP/Getty Images

The players celebrate Argentina's first World Cup semi-final in 24 years. Final score: Argentina 1-0 Belgium Photograph: Dominic Ebenbichler/Reuters