What made the Selecao so vulnerable on the counter-attack was the absence of their brilliant defensive midfielder Casemiro (due to a suspension). Brazil weren’t significantly troubled by Mexico’s counters in the Round of 16 (when Casemiro played) but were ruthlessly exposed by Belgium’s. Some of that has to do with Belgium’s superior talent, but one can’t shake off the feeling that Brazil wouldn’t have been so vulnerable with Casemiro in the side.
Statistics bear this out – in the Mexico game, Casemiro made six tackles and three clearances. Against Belgium, his replacement Fernandinho only made one tackle (though he did have more interceptions). It is no coincidence that since Casemiro has become a regular starter for Real Madrid, the team has won three Champions League titles. With him and Fernandinho, Brazil have two of the world’s best defensive midfielders