Higuain fired Argentina ahead after eight minutes with a right-foot shot on the turn from the edge of the area that gave keeper Thibaut Courtois no chance, while Messi constantly teased the Belgium defence and went close with a free kick.
Belgium's best effort came midway through the first period when midfielder Kevin De Bruyne let fly from 25 metres, stinging the hands of Sergio Romero, and Kevin Mirallas's diving header flashed just wide of the post before the break.
(Writing by Ken Ferris; editing by Ed Osmond)
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