#Match Report: Brazil 1-2 Belgium, Red Devils equal 32-year record by reaching World Cup semis

Summary

Neymar failed to come up with the goods as Brazil crashed out of the 2018 World Cup at the Quarterfinal stage after being roundly beaten by Belgium at the Kazan Arena on Friday night. Against most expectations, the South Americans were outplayed by a confident Belgian side and they failed to come back from a two-goal first half deficit. Belgium had the better of the opening 45 minutes when Fernandinho who is started for the suspended Casemiro turned Eden Hazard’s corner into his own net for Belgium’s opener. The hard-working Romelu Lukaku broke after a Brazilian corner to set up Kevin De Bruyne for the second of the game, a wonderfully drilled shot past goalkeeper Allison. Brazil managed a few chances of their own, notably Thiago Silva’s miss at the near post off a corner.

Coutinho and Firminho also missed chances as Brazil toiled to come back into contention. A flurry of substitutions from Coach Tite gave the Brazilians a lifeline when substitute Renato Augusto pull a goal back. But that was as good as it got for the five-time champions. The Red Devil’s victory sees them reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1986, and only the second time overall, where they will face 1998 Winners France.

Moments

8′ Missed Chance! Corner for Brazil is swung into the box and clanks off Thiago Silva’s thigh, six yards out, and loops off the post

13′ OWN GOAL! Brazil 0-1 Belgium. Hazard’s corner is whipped to the near-post and flies into the Brazilian net off Fernandinho’s arm.

20′ Philippe Coutinho shoots from outside the box, but Thibaut Courtois has it under control

31′ GOAL! Brazil 0-2 Belgium. Lukaku breaks and romps down the middle, rolls a pass right to De Bruyne, who takes a stride and launches a low screamer into the bottom left!

37′ Attempt saved. Coutinho shoots from typical range outside the box, but it is saved.

41′ Attempt saved. Kevin De Bruyne freekick from outside the box is tipped over the bar by Allison.

42′ Attempt saved. Vincent Kompany backheels from inside the six yard box off Nacer Chadli’s corner kick.

51′ Missed! Marcelo delivers a low fizzer through the six-yard box that Roberto Firmino could not poke home from a promising position.

62′ De Bruyne feeds Hazard on the left and Hazard enters the area and fires a low shot across Alisson and out for a goal kick.

76′ GOAL! Brazil 1-2 Belgium Coutinho spots Augusto’s run in the area, loops a gorgeous, perfectly weighted cross which Augusto guides his header into the bottom right, out of Courtois’ reach.