Liverpool midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas will go head to head in a mouthwatering semi-final of the Olympics football competition at 2pm UK time today.

Mascherano helped Argentina to an extra time victory over Holland, while Lucas and Brazil overcame Cameroon 2-0 in their quarter-final.

With both players proving instrumental in their respective countries' march to the final four, this afternoon's battle in the middle of the field could well go a long way to determining which of the two nations will book their place in this weekend's final.

Stay tuned for full reaction to today's game on Liverpoolfc.tv later today.

If you were to select an ideal group of semifinalists, you'd probably want a healthy dose of the tournament's big guns along with an overachieving team that has played the role of ultimate party crasher.

On that basis, the four teams that have reached the semifinals of the men's Olympic soccer tournament are as absorbing a quartet as you'll find. In Argentina and Brazil, you have two teams who were on everyone's list of favorites. Nigeria was also tipped as a team to watch prior to the competition's start. Then there is Belgium, which ignored its curfew and has decided to stick around a while longer.

2:34 PM
Categories: Beijing 2008, Javier Mascherano, lucas leiva, Olympic. Author: nik

There was joy for Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano as the duo helped Brazil and Argentina qualify for the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games while Ryan Babel was on target in Holland's 2-2 draw with the USA.

The Reds number 19, who played the full 90 minutes, put the Dutch 1-0 up against the USA, but they came back in the second half to lead 2-1 courtesy of goals from Sacha Kliestan and substitute Jozy Altidore. However, with almost the last kick of the game substitute Gerald Sibon levelled for the Dutch.

Meanwhile Lucas was in good form as he played the full 90 minutes in Brazil's 5-0 win over New Zealand. Ronaldinho scored twice, while Anderson, Alexandre Pato and Augusto Rafael Sobis were also on the mark.

Mascherano also played the full game as a 76th minute goal from Ezequiel Ivan Lavezzi saw off Australia.

Argentina and Brazil are next in action on Wednesday when Mascherano and co take on Serbia, while Lucas and his country face China. Both games kick-off at 12.45pm BST. Babel's Holland take on Japan at 10am BST.

10:48 AM
Categories: Javier Mascherano, lucas leiva, Olympic, Ryan Babel. Author: nik