Belgium won 2-1 over Brazil in the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals at Kazan Arena Stadium on Saturday (7/7). Belgium coach Roberto Martinez made a change in the starter by playing Nacer Chadli, the hero of victory over Japan in the last 16.
While Brazil is without Casemiro because of yellow card acculumation, Fernandinho was choose to be replacement. Marcelo who initialy doubted to appear also played.
Duel star-studded team was immediately fierce from the beginning. Belgium winger Kevin De Bruyne created the first chance for his team but failed.
Brazil also had time to give a threat to the Belgium defense. Thiago Silva thriller utilize football corner Neymar in the eight minute hit the goalpost.
Belgium could finally break the deadlock to excel first in the 13th minute. The corner of Nacer Chadli wrongly anticipated by Fernandinho. The ball that is on the arm Fernandinho just go into the goalkeeper Alisson.
In the 31st minute Belgum added advantage through De Bruyne’s kick. Utilizing a counterattack, Romelu Lukaku who got the ball doing a solo run to the Brazil area.
Lukaku immediately pass the ball to De Bruyne who is free on the right side. Without compromise, the Manchester City player was immediately fired hard from outside the penalty box to the right side of the goal that can not be reached Alisson Becker.
Behind two goals to make Brazil immediately locked the Belgium defense in the second round. It’s just that the effort has not produced results. Belgian back line is still tough enough to dispel Brazil invasion.
The five-times world champion’s pressure put Roberto Firmino into the second half and narrowly missed out on a late bait for Marcelo in the 51st minute. Brazil also did not get a penaly after Gabriel Jesus dropped Vincent Kompany in the 55th minute. After seeing VAR, the referee decided not to give a penalty for Brazil.
Do not want to fall asleep, Belgium seeks to increase advantage. It’s just Eden Hazard kick in the 62nd minute strayed thin on the left goalpost Alisson.
Brazil finally succeeded in minimizing the position through substitute Renato Augusto in the 76th minute. Augusto scored with a header using Philippe Coutinho’s bait.
Despite having several scoring chances, Brazil is also not able to equalize. Until the referee blew the long whistle marking the end of the game, the score remained 2-1 for Belgium’s victory.
In the semifinals held at St Stadium Petersburg, Wednesday (11/7) Belgium will face France who beat Uruguay 2-0.
Composition of Players
Brazil (4-2-3-1): 1-Alisson Becker; 12-Marcelo Vieira, 3-Joao Miranda, 2-Thiago Silva, 22-Fagner; 15-Paulinho (8-Renato Augusto 73 ‘), 17-Fernandinho, 19-Willian (20-Roberto Firmino 46’); 11-Philippe Coutinho, 10-Neymar; 9-Gabriel Jesus (7-Douglas Costa 58 ‘).
Coach: Tite.
Belgium (3-4-3): 1-Thibaut Courtois; 2-Toby Alderweireld, 4-Vincent Kompany, 5-Jan Vertonghen; 15-Thomas Meunier, 8-Marouane Fellaini, 6-Axel Witsel, 22-Nacer Chadli (3-Thomas Vermaelen 83 ‘); 10-Eden Hazard, 7-Kevin De Bruyne, 9-Romelu Lukaku (17-Youri Tielemans 87 ‘).
Coach: Roberto Martinez.
Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia)
