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Brazil's quest for an elusive sixth World Cup crown came to a juddering stop following a 2-1 loss to a spirited Belgium side in Kazan, joining the likes of Germany and Argentina to have bitten the dust in this very place.
An own goal from Fernandinho at almost the opening quarter of an hour gave the Red Devils the lead, and after a dominant attacking spell, launched another counter-attack that saw Kevin de Bruyne round off the move in style to double the cushion.
The Selecao huffed and puffed after the break, and Renato Augusto pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining to inspire hope, but it was a mere false dawn as Brazil wasted numerous chances and eventually paid the price.
With one of the tournament favourites knocked out, Belgium are now set to take on France in a blockbuster semi-final on Tuesday. Here are three reasons why Brazil lost today:
#1 Fernandinho disasterclass in Casemiro's absence
The Real Madrid star was suspended from the clash for accumulation of cards and it was always going to be a big loss for Brazil. Casemiro is the fulcrum of the attack and the defence, whilst also bringing an innate balance into the side. He was too big for Fernandinho's britches and the Manchester City midfielder's struggles accentuated just that.
The tone for the evening was set after he inadvertently elbowed Nacer Chadli's delivery from a corner, right into his own net. Fernandinho was then bossed in the midfield by the pacey and tenacious Belgians, especially his club teammate de Bruyne and didn't do enough to halt Lukaku when he broke forward at speed in the build-up to their second.
He won the ball from him in the Brazilian area before setting off on an impressive run, teeing up Kevin on the edge of the area. At that point, he found himself well off the pace and nowhere near to track his sprint.
Fernandinho was terrific in Manchester City's impressive Premier League title-winning campaign last term, but he was a poor imitation of his best self today. Brazil sorely missed Casemiro.
#2 Brazil wasteful in attack
The Selecao were the most prolific side during the qualifiers in the CONMEBOL zone by a mile, but had uncharacteristically struggled in the tournament proper. The 2-0 win over Mexico in the last-16 was perhaps the one instance where they hit all the right notes, despite scoring two close-range efforts. Against Belgium today, they proved absolutely wasteful despite carving numerous chances.
One of the first good opportunities fell to Paulinho, who couldn't strike it hard enough after receiving a corner, with the goal gaping. But while Philippe Coutinho was denied on two occasions by the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois, he too missed an opportunity late in the game by scuffing a shot into the stands while attempting a first-time finish.
However, Renato Augusto - minutes after pulling a goal back - had the best chance to equalise when he was put through on goal by Neymar with only the goalkeeper to beat, but his effort could only sail wide of the post. Brazil let so many chances go begging, as for all their attacking intent, that saw them muster 27 shots, only one of their nine on-target managed to find the back of the net.
#3 Brazil's set-piece vulnerabilities come to the fore
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.
