Higuain puts Argentina up 1-0 against Belgium at halftime in World Cup quarterfinals

Argentina's Lionel Messi, center, is challenged by Belgium's Axel Witsel, right, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Argentina and Belgium at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (The Associated Press)

Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, left, celebrates with Angel di Maria, center, and Lionel Messi after he scored the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Argentina and Belgium at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (The Associated Press)

Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goal of this World Cup to give Argentina a 1-0 halftime lead over Belgium in their quarterfinal on Saturday.

Higuain fired home Angel Di Maria's deflected pass just inside the area in the eighth minute, beating Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a low shot to the far corner of the net.

Belgium took over possession after the goal but couldn't find a way past the Argentina's defensive line, bolstered by central midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia.

Argentina substituted Angel Di Maria with Enzo Perez in the 33rd. The winger appeared to hurt his right leg while taking a shot five minutes earlier.

Argentina and Belgium hadn't met in the World Cup since the former won their semifinal match 2-0 in 1986.