In the early hours of Sunday morning, dedicated Argentina fans gathered in Sydney as their team prepared to face Belgium in Brasilia, Brazil.
Fans were confident from the outset telling SBS, "There's no if, we're going to win. I know it sounds arrogant but we're going to win."
Belgium supporters also joined the party and were hoping that history wouldn't repeat itself telling SBS, "Against Argentina, the last time we played them we lost in '86. This will never happen again."
It took Argentina just 8 minutes to land the first blow and from there Belgium struggled to create any chances.
The defeat marks the first competitive game Belgium have lost under Marc Wilmots since he took over as coach in 2012.
Belgium fans were left disappointed but hopeful after the final score, one nil.
"We're sad, but I dunno. Maybe in another four years, we'll do even better," one fan told SBS.
Netherlands v Costa Rica
Later in the morning, scores of Dutch fans gathered in Sydney to watch the tense quarter-final showdown.
Fans watched on as substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul saved two penalties in a dramatic shoot-out as the Netherlands edged Costa Rica 4-3 to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
After a goalless 120 minutes, the towering Newcastle United custodian came on at the end of extra time and saved spot kicks from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana to win the quarter-final for the Dutch.
The thrilling shoot-out came after a match in which goalkeeping also featured strongly when the Dutch hit the woodwork three times and were repeatedly denied by Navas.
Extra-time began for the sixth time this World Cup and Navas rescued Costa Rica again when he turned away Ron Vlaar's header before needing treatment after a clash with Kuyt.
At the end, however, Navas could not stop any of the four Dutch penalties. Argentina will now face off against the Netherlands in the semi-finals. Germany will go head-to-head with Brazil.
Share
