2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ – News – Red Devils see off Brazil to reach semis
Belgium beat Brazil 2-1 in Kazan to set the first semi-final of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ in stone, and booking their return to the final four for the first time in three decades.
A Seleção seized control of the match in the first half, seeing Thiago Silva’s effort hit the post, as the Red Devils rode their luck while relying on the counter-attack. The Belgians were ahead against the run of play after Fernandinho, replacing the suspended Casemiro, deviated a flicked-on corner into his own net.
There was nothing fortunate about the European side’s second. Reminiscent of their on-the-break winner against Japan, Kevin De Bruyne polished off a flawless attack move with a sumptuously struck finish.
The South Americans tried to pile the pressure on their opponents again after half-time but a combination of the excellent Thibaut Courtois and feverish defending proved too much to break down. As the spurned chances stacked up, it was left to substitute Renato Augusto to head home a Coutinho cross to hand Brazil hope.
Belgium refused to fold, however, in the enthralling closing stages, ensuring Roberto Martinez's side reached the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time in their history.
A Seleção seized control of the match in the first half, seeing Thiago Silva’s effort hit the post, as the Red Devils rode their luck while relying on the counter-attack. The Belgians were ahead against the run of play after Fernandinho, replacing the suspended Casemiro, deviated a flicked-on corner into his own net.
There was nothing fortunate about the European side’s second. Reminiscent of their on-the-break winner against Japan, Kevin De Bruyne polished off a flawless attack move with a sumptuously struck finish.
The South Americans tried to pile the pressure on their opponents again after half-time but a combination of the excellent Thibaut Courtois and feverish defending proved too much to break down. As the spurned chances stacked up, it was left to substitute Renato Augusto to head home a Coutinho cross to hand Brazil hope.
Belgium refused to fold, however, in the enthralling closing stages, ensuring Roberto Martinez's side reached the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time in their history.
Brazil v Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium celebrates after scoring
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Renato Augusto of Brazil celebrates after scoring
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Renato Augusto of Brazil celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Renato Augusto of Brazil scores his team's first goal
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Renato Augusto of Brazil scores his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Renato Augusto of Brazil scores his team's first goal
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Renato Augusto of Brazil scores his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Vincent Kompany of Belgium celebrates his sides first goal,
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Vincent Kompany of Belgium celebrates his sides first goal, an own goal scored by Fernandinho of Brazil (not pictured) during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium battles for possession with Miranda
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium battles for possession with Miranda of Brazil during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Fernandinho of Brazil and Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Fernandinho of Brazil and Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium battle for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium scores his team's second goal
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium scores his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Neymar Jr of Brazil looks dejected following Belgium's first goal
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Neymar Jr of Brazil looks dejected following Belgium's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium challenge for the ball with Fernandinho and Paulinho
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium challenge for the ball with fernandinho and Paulinho of Brazil during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Fernandinho of Brazil scores an own goal for Belgium's first goal
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Fernandinho of Brazil scores an own goal for Belgium's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Roberto Martinez, Head coach of Belgium celebrates with Belgium assistant coach, Thierry Henry
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Roberto Martinez, Head coach of Belgium celebrates with Belgium assistant coach, Thierry Henry after their sides first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Fernandinho of Brazil scores an own goal for Belgium's
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Fernandinho of Brazil scores an own goal for Belgium's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Thiago Silva of Brazil watches as his attempt at goal hits the post as Thibaut Courtois of Belgium looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Thibaut Courtois of Belgium, Miranda of Brazil, and Toby Alderweireld Miranda
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Thibaut Courtois of Belgium, Miranda of Brazil, and Toby Alderweireld of Belgium look on as Brazil take a corner kick during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Brazil fans look dejected
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Brazil fans look dejected during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Fernandinho of Brazil battles for possession with Romelu Lukaku
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Fernandinho of Brazil battles for possession with Romelu Lukaku of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Neymar Jr of Brazil is challenged by Toby Alderweireld of Belgium
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Neymar Jr of Brazil is challenged by Toby Alderweireld of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Brazil v Belgium: Thiago Silva of Brazil watches as his attempt at goal hits the post as Thibaut Courtois
06 Jul 2018KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 06: Thiago Silva of Brazil watches as his attempt at goal hits the post as Thibaut Courtois of Belgium looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Team reporter analysis
Giancarlo Giampietro, Brazil [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
While Belgium took the lead with a combination of fortune and their attacking skill, the Brazilians were calmer in possession after half-time, played their game and stifled the Belgians. Nevertheless, A Seleção were simply not clinical enough in front of goal to convert their chances – and were not helped by a superb performance from Courtois.
Simon Massart, Belgium [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
It seemed written in the stars that Belgium would win. Everything simply fell into place as Courtois showed just how good a goalkeeper he is, while the Red Devils enjoyed crucial bits of luck in key moments. What’s more, nothing seemed to go Neymar’s way, as Brazil looked uncharacteristically uncertain in front of goal. The pain of Belgium’s defeat by the same opponents in the Round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup enhances the joy of reaching the semi-finals in Russia that little bit further.
Giancarlo Giampietro, Brazil [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
While Belgium took the lead with a combination of fortune and their attacking skill, the Brazilians were calmer in possession after half-time, played their game and stifled the Belgians. Nevertheless, A Seleção were simply not clinical enough in front of goal to convert their chances – and were not helped by a superb performance from Courtois.
Simon Massart, Belgium [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
It seemed written in the stars that Belgium would win. Everything simply fell into place as Courtois showed just how good a goalkeeper he is, while the Red Devils enjoyed crucial bits of luck in key moments. What’s more, nothing seemed to go Neymar’s way, as Brazil looked uncharacteristically uncertain in front of goal. The pain of Belgium’s defeat by the same opponents in the Round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup enhances the joy of reaching the semi-finals in Russia that little bit further.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Kevin De Bruyne delivered the corner that led to the own goal and scored the second himself, yet the Belgium playmaker also impressed with his energy and defensive efforts. A fine all-round performance.
The stat
100 - Kevin De Bruyne today became the 100th player to score at this World Cup (excluding own goals). The record of 116 different goalscorers was set at Brazil 2014.
What’s next?
France v Belgium - Semi-final, 10 July, Saint Petersburg
Kevin De Bruyne delivered the corner that led to the own goal and scored the second himself, yet the Belgium playmaker also impressed with his energy and defensive efforts. A fine all-round performance.
The stat
100 - Kevin De Bruyne today became the 100th player to score at this World Cup (excluding own goals). The record of 116 different goalscorers was set at Brazil 2014.
What’s next?
France v Belgium - Semi-final, 10 July, Saint Petersburg
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