'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Belgium emerged victorious in their 2018 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal encounter against Brazil at the Kazan Arena to ensure their qualification to the last four of the competition for the first time since 1986. Roberto Martinez tweaked his style heading into this crunch game and the gamble paid off handsomely for the Red Devils, who certainly looked the part against the Selecao on the night.
It took Belgium just 13 minutes to break the deadlock when Fernandinho horrifyingly scored into his own net after a well-worked set-piece routine. Brazil were pegged back after conceding the early goal and Belgium quickly forced the initiative on the Selecao by establishing their authority on the game through swift counter-attacking moves.
Kevin De Bruyne extended their lead in the 31st minute when the Manchester City midfielder unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the area to beat Alisson after Romelu Lukaku had conjured a daring run from midfield in one of Belgium's signature counter-attacks from the game.
Brazil dominated possession and continued to push forward only to be denied by the heroics of Thibaut Courtois in goal for Belgium. Renato Augusto pulled a goal back for the Selecao in the 76th minute, after coming off the bench, but it was a little too late to salvage something from the game.
The result now means that Belgium will face France in the first Semi-final of the competition while Brazil have now been eliminated by a European nation in each of the last four editions of the World Cup. Without further delay, let's take a closer look at the best and worst performers from this enthralling encounter at the Kazan Arena:
#5 Hit - Vincent Kompany (Belgium)
This game against Brazil was perhaps Vincent Kompany's biggest test yet after coming back from injury and he was a commanding presence at the back for Belgium on the night. The defender proved to be serious threat from set-pieces on numerous occasions and he even played a small yet significant part in the build-up to the Red Devils' first goal of the night, courtesy of Fernandinho's arm.
The Manchester City skipper looked very composed on the ball and was not shy of playing it out from the back. Kompany was a solid rock at the back for Belgium and has now answered his critics in emphatic fashion, following this resounding performance that will do his confidence a world of good.
#4 Flop - Fernandinho (Brazil)
The Manchester City midfielder was drafted into the starting line-up in place of the suspended Casemiro and he never looked like establishing any sort of balance in midfield for the Selecao. It all went horribly wrong for Fernandinho as early as in the 13th minute when a delivery into the box from a set-piece routine deflected off his arm into his own net, to give Belgium an early lead.
Fernandinho, who was making his first start of the tournament, never looked like recovering from the early blow and was completely dominated by the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel in midfield for Belgium. His passing was unusually sloppy at a few instances and it certainly added to his lack of confidence as the game progressed.
The midfielder's performance went on to further imply how important Casemiro is to the whole system that the Selecao thrive on.
#3 Hit - Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
The midfielder was quite easily the best outfield player on the pitch without the shadow of a doubt and played a crucial role in tearing apart Brazil in the first half. Kevin De Bruyne was deployed centrally in a free-role for the first time in this tournament and the aftermath was just too much to handle for his opponents.
The midfielder was duly supported by Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard on both sides and the trio combined to produce some of the best attacking football that was on offer.
De Bruyne also took the opportunity presented to him by Lukaku with much aplomb when he dispatched an unstoppable strike into the back of the net to extend Belgium's lead on the night. The midfielder continued to pull the strings for the Red Devils from midfield and transformed himself according to his team's requirements in the second half, tracking back whenever required.
#2 Flop - Gabriel Jesus (Brazil)
After all that talk about being the heir to Ronaldo's throne at Brazil, Gabriel Jesus' disappointing World Cup campaign comes to an abrupt end with the striker failing to find the back of the net even once during this tournament. The Manchester City man was cut out as a frustrating figure for the majority of the game and struggled against the sturdy defending from the Belgian defenders.
The Selecao's brightest prospect flattered to deceive at the biggest stage yet again and was taken off in the 58th minute after failing to score a single goal in 5 appearances in the tournament, to cap off a disappointing night for the youngster.
#1 Hit - Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Thibaut Courtois was arguably Belgium's best performer on the night and the shot-stopper did not crack under the pressure exerted by Brazil, as they tried to claw their way back into the game. The 26-year-old was at the top of his game and made a number a crucial saves to keep the Selecao at bay throughout the full ninety minutes of the encounter.
Courtois hardly put a foot wrong and was equal to the task on numerous occasions when Brazil threatened to get back into the game. The Chelsea goalkeeper has just a single year remaining in his current contract with the Blues and this performance will surely grab the attention of a number of potential suitors who will be keen on recruiting him, amidst persisting rumours regarding his future at the club.
Who do you think was the best player on the pitch tonight? Tell us in the comments below!
