Wilmots urges Belgium to seize history chance

Belgium's coach Marc Wilmots speaks at a press conference at Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilila, some 1160 Km north-west of Rio de Janeiro, on July 4, 2014, ahead of their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil quarter final football match against Argentina on July 5. AFP
Belgium's coach Marc Wilmots speaks at a press conference at Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilila, some 1160 Km north-west of Rio de Janeiro, on July 4, 2014, ahead of their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil quarter final football match against Argentina on July 5. AFP

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots told his players that they can "write history" in Saturday's quarter-final against Argentina in Brasilia by going on the attack.

Belgium last reached the semi-finals in 1986, when they lost to Diego Maradona's Argentina, and with the last four now in sight, Wilmots has urged his players not to be inhibited by the occasion.

"We've studied their tactics and we'll stick to our style. We won't just defend," said Wilmots.

"We play compact football and we don't leave a lot of space. We have to attack and defend together.

"It's all a matter of balance between attack and defence, but it's a quarter-final. We can write history. The players know this and we're going to play our own game."