Prior to the game, Brazil had the best defensive record alongside Uruguay coming into the last 8 having conceded only one goal. But much like their Latin American rivals, that one goal came from a set-piece header, against Switzerland during the opening fixture.
Steven Zuber rose high enough to nudge the ball home from near point-blank range after being unmarked in the box. Today, two such moments of defensive lapse cost them the match, and also the World Cup.
Nacer Chadli’s corner in the 13th minute came off Fernandinho’s elbow as he misjudged the ball’s trajectory and Brazil then conceded a second from another set-piece; this time from one of their own. A failed clearance saw Marouane Fellaini heading the ball toward the path of Lukaku, who then ran almost half the length of the field by himself to launch a counter-attack before releasing de Bruyne on the right to kill the move off.
Brazil have been exposed in such situations earlier in the competition too, most notably against Serbia who did manage to ruffle feathers despite never really capitalising on their poor defending from set-pieces. But Belgium are a better side than Serbia and pounced upon their frailties to deliver a knockout blow to World Cup’s darling team.