An own goal by Fernandhino and a stunner from Kevin De Bruyne proved enough to see Belgium through to the semi-finals with a 2-1 win against Brazil at the Kazan Arena.
A deserved 2-0 victory against Mexico saw Brazil land themselves in the quarter final while Belgium earned their place with a hard fought 3-2 comeback victory against the Japanese which made this fixture a mouth-watering encounter to witness.
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The opening minutes saw Belgium escape an early scare when a Neymar corner found the head of Thiago Silva who flicked the ball onto the up-right and straight into the grateful hands of Thibaut Courtois.
At the other end, Belgium won themselves a corner which caught the unlucky shoulder of Fernandinho and found its way into the back of the net for a Brazilian own goal which saw Belgium take the lead.
Brazil were now struggling as Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were making life difficult for the Brazilian back four. Brazil were sustaining enough possession in their attacking half but were unable to penetrate the Belgium defence which repelled any form of attack.
Belgium caught Brazil on the counter attack when Romelu Lukaku’s through ball found Kevin De Bruyne in open space. With limited options, De Bruyne opted for a shot from outside the box which bulleted past Alisson Becker into the bottom left corner to double the Belgium lead.
Brazil failed to find a response for the rest of the half while Belgium looked more and more promising with every attack.
Half Time – Brazil 0 – 2 Belgium
Brazil commenced the second half with all guns blazing as they looked to get one back at Belgium. Belgium showed potential in breaking out on the counter but Brazil ensured that the ball was retained in their attacking third.
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Brazil were dominating play with both fullbacks, Marcelo and Fagner engaged in supplementing the box with crosses. The Belgium defence coped well with Courtois having a stormer of a game but looked to be on the verge of breaking.
The Brazilians were finally able to break the dead lock when a lobbed pass from Philippe Coutinho found the substitute Renato Augusto who expertly headed the ball past the helpless Courtois into the back of the net to give Brazil a glimmer of hope.
Neymar and company continued their ultra-attacking play, now in search of an equaliser which was beckoning.
A sharp run from Neymar down the left wing saw him cut back and find Coutinho who skied the ball from point blank range to miss a golden opportunity while Augusto too missed a chance on the break from outside the box.
Thibaut Courtois came up with a brilliant save in stoppage time to deny Neymar who curled the ball into the top right corner.
Brazil sustained their attacking pressure but were unable to score by the end of the final whistle which saw Belgium through to the Semi Finals and Brazil knocked out of the tournament.
Full Time – Brazil 1 – 2 Belgium
Man of the Match – Kevin De Bruyne
Goal Scorers
Brazil – Renato Augusto 71’
Belgium – Fernandinho 13’ (OG), Kevin De Bruyne 31’
Bookings
Yellow Cards
Brazil – Fernandinho 85’, Fagner Conserva Lemos 90’
Belgium – Toby Alderweireld 47’, Thomas Meunier 70’
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