FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Belgium Stun Favorites Brazil To Go Through
Kevin De Bruyne’s stunner and a Fernandinho own goal sent Belgium into the semi-finals at the expense of five-time winners Brazil.
Belgium will now face France in the semifinals of the world cup after beating Brazil 2-1 in Kazan.
Tite’s men, were soundly beaten by third-ranked Belgium. This thanks to a pair of goals from Fernandinho (own goal). In addition to Kevin De Bruyne before the break at the Kazan Arena. Despite the Selecao mounting a second-half fightback, they truly missed Casemira who was suspended.
Fernandinho scored an own goal from a Belgium corner to send the Red Devils ahead. Romelu Lukaku’s marauding run from his own half and well-timed pass set De Bruyne up. De Bruyne then took a cracker of a shot into the bottom left corner leaving Brazil goalkeeper Alisson with no chance.
Second Half:
Brazil could find no answer until a 76th-minute header reply from Renato Augusto. With star man Neymar virtually anonymous other than three poor attempts to win a penalty, there was nothing more. Although referee Milorad Mazic perhaps should have pointed to the spot when Vincent Kompany dived in on Gabriel Jesus.
Neymar did finally come to life in injury time. He went on to forcing a brilliant save from Thibaut Courtois with a curling shot from outside the area. However, it was not enough to sustain his team’s challenge. Early corners from the game in favor of Brazil could have provided a lift if not for tame efforts from both Thiago Silva and Paulinho.
Courtois made comfortable saves from Philippe Coutinho and Willian as Brazil, playing in the quarter-finals for the seventh straight World Cup, rallied.
Tite introduced Roberto Firmino for Willian at the break. after which he took of G. Jesus for Douglas Costa. Brazil’s third change yielded a goal three minutes and 14 seconds after his introduction, Augusto gliding between two static Belgium defenders to nod a flicked header past Courtois from a sublime Coutinho cross.
Coutinho’s first-time shot flew wide before the world’s most expensive player sent an absolute stunner onto goal only to be stopped by an astonishing fingertip save by Courtois.
But Belgium held on and progressed into a World Cup semi-final against France on Tuesday.
