Higuain wins it for Argentina, Krul saves the day for Holland

Argentina and the Netherlands will play in second semi-final with Germany and Brazil competing in first one

Gonzalo Higuain found form at the right time striking the winner as Argentina beat Belgium to make it to World Cup semi-final after 24 years as Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul saved two penalties in the tie-breaker to take his team to the last four with a 4-3 win over Costa Rica.

Argentina and the Netherlands will play in the second semi-final with Germany and Brazil competing in the first semi-final.

Higuain's powerful angular volley in the eighth minute sealed the match in Albiceleste's favour as thy set up a semi-final date with 'Oranje' brigade who had a difficult time in getting past a dogged Costa Rica.

Winger Wesley Sneijder was twice denied by the horizontal but the Dutchman held their nerves during the tie-break as their four senior players, skipper Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt all found the target.

Newcastle United goalkeeper Krul, who came in place of regular keeper Jasper Cillessen, anticipated correctly as he dived to left to save the shots from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana.

The Netherlands' Manchester United bound manager Louis van Gaal's masterstroke worked brilliantly as Krul was introduced in the last minute of extra time and hardly got the feel of the ball.

In the first match, having been off-colour during the group stages, Higuain finally showed his class as he was quick to react to a pass from Angel De Maria finishing off with a powerful angular volley from the top of the box beating a fully stretched Thibaur Courtois.

The early strike did help Argentina a lot as they were in firm control during the first half an hour as the European 'Red Devils' made some efforts in the final quarter of the first half.

Argentina could have gone ahead in the 13th minute when forward Ezequiel Lavezzi took a crack at goal but was saved by the Belgium defence.