World Cup 2018: Belgium produce masterclass to knock out Brazil with 2-1 win
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De Bruyne wonder strike doubles Belgium lead
Belgium produced a brilliant performance to knock five-time winners Brazil out of the World Cup and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1986.
Roberto Martinez's side turned on the style in Kazan to clock up their fifth straight win of the tournament and ensure the semi-finals will be contested by four European sides for the first time.
Brazil had conceded just one goal in their past four games in Russia but were behind early when Nacer Chadli's corner struck Fernandinho's arm and flew into the net, the 10th own goal of this World Cup.
Fernandinho's Manchester City team-mate Kevin de Bruyne doubled Belgium's lead with a sublime arrowed finish from 20 yards after Romelu Lukaku's powerful run.
In an entertaining and open game, Brazil hit the post when the match was goalless - Thiago Silva missing in front of a gaping net after Neymar's corner - before substitute Renato Augusto gave Brazil hope with a headed goal after Philippe Coutinho's delicious pass.
However, the South Americans became the latest heavyweight to depart the competition after holders Germany and other past winners Argentina, Spain and Uruguay.
Impressive Belgium will now face France, 2-0 winners over Uruguay earlier on Friday, in a semi-final in St Petersburg next Tuesday, 10 July (19:00 BST).
The other semi-final in Moscow on Wednesday 11 July will be contested between the winners of Saturday's quarter-finals featuring Sweden and England (15:00 BST) and Russia and Croatia (19:00 BST).
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How you rated the players
Relive the action as it happened
Golden generation finally comes of age
There is a steely determination about this Belgium side that they did not have four years ago when they narrowly lost a quarter-final to Argentina.
Eight of the starting 11 against Brazil also started that game in Brasilia in 2014 but this time there was no hard luck story for the Red Devils as they ruthlessly dispatched the most successful country in World Cup history.
Energy and belief is coursing through a Belgium team packed with Premier League winners, and many are starting to seriously ask whether this squad full of thirtysomethings is finally about to deliver.
If there was a touch of fortune about the first goal as the ball rolled off Fernandinho's arm and into the net, the second was beautifully crafted.
Lukaku has scored four times at this tournament but his run which lead to De Bruyne making it 2-0 was a sight to behold, the striker receiving the ball inside his own half before turning and embarking on a superb run.
On a glorious night in Belgium football history, there was one negative as defender Thomas Meunier picked up another booking and will be suspended against France.
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World Cup 2018: Fernandinho own goal puts Belgium in front against Brazil
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Brazil
1Alisson
22FagnerBooked at 90mins
2Thiago Silva
3Miranda
12Marcelo
15PaulinhoSubstituted forRenato Augustoat 73'minutes
17FernandinhoBooked at 85mins
11Coutinho
19WillianSubstituted forRoberto Firminoat 45'minutes
9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forDouglas Costaat 58'minutes
10Neymar
Substitutes
4Geromel
6Filipe Luís
7Douglas Costa
8Renato Augusto
13Marquinhos
16Cássio
18Fred
20Roberto Firmino
21Barcellos Freda
23Ederson
Belgium
1Courtois
15MeunierBooked at 71mins
2AlderweireldBooked at 47mins
4Kompany
5Vertonghen
8Fellaini
6Witsel
22ChadliSubstituted forVermaelenat 83'minutes
9LukakuSubstituted forTielemansat 87'minutes
7De Bruyne
10E Hazard
Substitutes
3Vermaelen
11Carrasco
12Mignolet
13Casteels
14Mertens
16T Hazard
17Tielemans
18Januzaj
19Dembélé
20Boyata
21Batshuayi
23Dendoncker
Referee:
Milorad Mazic
Attendance:
42,873
Match Stats
Home TeamBrazilAway TeamBelgium
Possession
Home59%
Away41%
Shots
Home27
Away9
Shots on Target
Home9
Away3
Corners
Home8
Away4
Fouls
Home14
Away16
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Brazil 1, Belgium 2.
Full TimePosted at 90'+6'
Second Half ends, Brazil 1, Belgium 2.
Posted at 90'+5'
Roberto Firmino (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+5'
Foul by Marouane Fellaini (Belgium).
Posted at 90'+5'
Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Miranda.
Posted at 90'+4'
Attempt missed. Roberto Firmino (Brazil) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Neymar with a cross following a corner.
Posted at 90'+4'
Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Thibaut Courtois.
Posted at 90'+4'
Attempt saved. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Douglas Costa.
Posted at 90'+3'
Hand ball by Eden Hazard (Belgium).
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Miranda (Brazil).
Posted at 90'+2'
Eden Hazard (Belgium) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 90'+2'
Attempt blocked. Coutinho (Brazil) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcelo.
BookingPosted at 90'
Fagner (Brazil) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90'
Foul by Fagner (Brazil).
Posted at 90'
Eden Hazard (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 87'
Substitution, Belgium. Youri Tielemans replaces Romelu Lukaku.
Posted at 86'
Foul by Miranda (Brazil).
Posted at 86'
Marouane Fellaini (Belgium) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 86'
Foul by Roberto Firmino (Brazil).
Posted at 86'
Axel Witsel (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
BookingPosted at 85'
Fernandinho (Brazil) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 85'
Foul by Fernandinho (Brazil).
Posted at 85'
Eden Hazard (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 84'
Attempt missed. Coutinho (Brazil) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Neymar.
Posted at 83'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
SubstitutionPosted at 83'
Substitution, Belgium. Thomas Vermaelen replaces Nacer Chadli because of an injury.
Posted at 81'
Delay in match Nacer Chadli (Belgium) because of an injury.
Posted at 81'
Attempt missed. Renato Augusto (Brazil) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Coutinho.
Posted at 79'
Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Nacer Chadli.
Posted at 78'
Attempt missed. Roberto Firmino (Brazil) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Neymar.
Goal!Posted at 76'
Goal! Brazil 1, Belgium 2. Renato Augusto (Brazil) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Coutinho with a through ball.
Posted at 75'
Attempt blocked. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 75'
Attempt saved. Douglas Costa (Brazil) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Roberto Firmino.
Posted at 73'
Coutinho (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 73'
Foul by Romelu Lukaku (Belgium).
SubstitutionPosted at 73'
Substitution, Brazil. Renato Augusto replaces Paulinho.
Posted at 71'
Attempt saved. Douglas Costa (Brazil) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fernandinho.
BookingPosted at 71'
Thomas Meunier (Belgium) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 71'
Neymar (Brazil) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 71'
Foul by Thomas Meunier (Belgium).
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Source: bbc.com
Source: bbc.com
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