Ranking the World Cup Semifinalists

#2: Belgium

Belgium score the winner against Japan

After winning all three of their group games, Belgium came up against the Japanese in their round of 16 tie. Coming into the 2nd half goalless, a 10 minute Japanese blitz left the Belgians 2 goals down and with time running out. Bringing in Fellaini to add some height and physicality to the game, the Belgians seemingly turned the corner and went on to equalise via 2 headers, with their height difference over the Japanese ultimately paying dividends. With the game seemingly set to go to extra time, the Belgians won the ball back off a Japanese corner and had the final say, scoring the winner in injury time via a sweeping counter-attacking move, completing one of the best comebacks the World Cup has seen.

If the Belgians display was uncertain in that game, they were just as good in their quarter-final tie with hosts Brazil, sending the runaway favourites home after brilliant performances from everyone across the pitch. Roberto Martinez and this Belgian side showcased in the match that they are very much ready to change up their tactics at a moments notice and do whatever it takes to beat whoever it is in front of them. Set to come up against the excellent French in the semi-finals, the Belgians will surely draw a world of confidence from their previous result and think that they can go all the way now.