FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Brazil vs Belgium Preview
World Cup Quarter Finals continue on Friday with Brazil facing Belgium in the Kazan Arena at 2 pm ET. The five time winners will be looking to arrive at a record 12th semi final. In order to, they will have to get past an inspired Belgian squad who defeated Japan in the last-minute of extra time. The winner will book a meeting with the winner of France – Uruguay in a semi-final the following Tuesday.
Background And Team News
‘Seleção’ showed their strength in the last 16 with a convincing win over Mexico, Neymar and Firmino providing the goals. Unfortunately for the South Americans, Casemiro picked up his second yellow card effectively ruling him out against Belgium. In addition, right back Danilo is ruled out for the rest of the tournament with injury.
Coach Tite will not be overly concerned however with Marcelo returning to the lineup after experiencing a back spasm. Despite so many defensive changes, the Brazilian side has only conceded once. Filipe Luis deputized well in Marcelo’s absence and likewise Fernandinho is expected to sit in for the suspended Casemiro.
Top scorers for the team Neymar and Coutinho need to avoid picking up a card over the 90 minutes. All players begin with a clean slate in the semi-finals per FIFA regulations.
Belgium, described as being in their golden generation know this is their best opportunity to make history. Despite falling behind by 2 goals to Japan, they showed maturity and strength to win their quarter-final spot. ‘The Red Devils’ boast a squad full of talent but have yet to make anything of it.
Coach Roberto Martinez should utilize the same lineup used against Japan although midfielder Fellaini will be hoping for a start. The Manchester United man has been a reliable substitute for Martinez, impressing off the bench and scoring versus Japan. The tall player can be a ‘secret weapon’ of sorts against their South American opponents on Friday.
Additionally, Lukaku will be hoping to add to his goal tally against the Brazilians as the powerful striker finds himself in the race for the golden boot. Winger Adnan Januzaj, who scored the winning goal against England, is out with an unknown injury.
Predicted Lineups
Brazil: Alisson; Fagner, Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Fernandinho, Paulinho, Coutinho; Willian, Jesus, Neymar
Belgium: Courtois; Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Kompany; Meunier, De Bruyne, Witsel, Carrasco; Hazard, Mertens; Lukaku
Prediction
Historically, it seems near impossible to separate the two nations. Brazil have won 3 of the previous 4 meetings, but none of those meetings involved Belgium’s ‘golden generation’. The European’s are scoring heaps of goals, having netted 12 so far in tournament. Conversely, Brazil are not conceding goals, with defensive pair of Silva and Miranda looking near perfect.
Three of Belgium’s four previous World Cup losses were to South American opposition. Likewise, the Brazilian’s previous three eliminations were to European nations. Both teams are enjoying long winning streaks and both have key dangerous men in attack. For example, Neymar playing a part in 20 goals of a previous 19 matches. Similarly, Hazard has contributed to 19 goals in 18 previous outings for his nation.
In the end, it’s the Brazilians who have been slightly more impressive. While Tite’s men were dispatching of a tough Mexican team, Martinez’ squad needed a late brilliant counter attack after reversing their 2-0 deficit against Japan. A deficit that few can see Brazil ever finding themselves involved in. It’s their defensive grit that should take the tournament’s most successful nation through to the semi finals.
Brazil 3 – 2 Belgium
