World Cup: Belgium knocks out Brazil

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil have been eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium at the quarter-final stage, falling to a 2-1 defeat in Friday’s gripping clash at the Kazan Stadium.
Belgium stunned their opponents by taking a two-goal lead into the interval after Kevin De Bruyne brilliantly added to a Fernandinho own goal.
The Red Devils were able to see things through for just a second-ever appearance in the semis, despite being made to hold on in the final 15 minutes following a consolation header from Renato Augusto.
While five-time winners Brazil will head back home, prolonging their wait for glory on the world stage to at least 20 years, Belgium now have a semi-final against France – victorious against Uruguay earlier today – to look forward to in St Petersburg next Tuesday.
Eden Hazard’s left-sided corner dipped towards the front post and Fernandinho got a telling touch of the ball with his arm to help it past Alisson.
Philippe Coutinho cut inside in trademark style to test Thibaut Courtois for the first time, before Marcelo did likewise as Brazil attempted to exploit their opponents down the left wing.
Belgium, eliminated by South American opposition in their last two tournament participations, were holding their own, however, and they doubled their advantage with half an hour played.
If the first goal had a slice of fortune about it, the second was pure skill as De Bruyne arrowed a 25-yarder out of Alisson’s reach following some good build-up play from Romelu Lukaku.
A smart near-post flick from Vincent Kompany had to be dealt with at the end of the first half, and De Bruyne came close to a second from a well saved free kick, with the Red Devils looks good value for their lead.
On came Roberto Firmino for Willian midway through, and the centre-forward so nearly carried on from where he left off against Mexico by getting the smallest of touches to Marcelo’s cross, but not enough to divert it over the line.
Referee Milorad Mazic was then at the centre of the action, rightly booking Neymar for trying to force contact from Fellaini inside the box, before waving a penalty appeal from Gabriel Jesus.
VAR was consulted but despite Kompany clearly making some contact with his Manchester City clubmate, the Serbian referee was not asked to review the decision.
Hazard then shot wide at the end of a counter at one end, while substitute Douglas Costa did slightly better by forcing a save from Courtois down low at the other.
Augusto’s introduction gave the Selecao renewed vigour, though, taking the Beijing Guoan midfielder a little over two minutes to leave his mark on the game with a fine header.
Coutinho’s lofted pass over the top was latched on to by Augusto, who got between two defenders and sent the ball out of Courtois’ reach into the bottom corner.
Coutinho’s curled shot was heading for the back of the net, only for Courtois to get a touch to the ball at full stretch deep into added time, prolonging Belgium’s dream run in Russia.