Belgium muscle past Brazil to set up semifinal date with France

And then there were three... Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku and Eden Hazard combined in stunning fashion to script a famous 2-1 victory over Brazil in the quarterfinal of the World Cup 2018 to ensure it an all-European semifinal lineup. A physically imposing Belgium bullied their way into the last four, while their front three harassed the Brazilian defenders.

The last group of Latin Americans left in the World Cup were found wanting against a star-studded Belgian attack that would make the Avengers look like a crossover of average heroes. It was a glimpse of what might have been at Chelsea had one Jose Mourinho not sold Lukaku and De Bruyne.

But this is World Cup season, when Mourinho is a pundit with Russia Today TV. Strange things do happen, just like the first goal that Brazil conceded. A corner for Belgium came in the 13th minute despite a series of relentless attacking from Brazil. Hazard took it, and ball was put in the net. How? Fernandinho's flailing arm.

The teams came into the game off contrasting victories in the round of 16. Brazil had dismissed fellow Latinos Mexico with a run-of-the-mill 2-0 victory, the highlights of which were some sublime work from Willian, some resolute defending and a dash of Neymar's tricks and antics.

Belgium made an inspiring comeback from two goals down against Japan to score three and win it in the dying minutes of the game. The substitute scorers from that game, Maroune Fellaini and Nacer Chadli started the game ahead of Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens.

All along it seemed that Brazil's master tactician Tite would be the one to dispel ghosts of 2014, but it wasn't to be. Roberto Martinez knew that if there was one way of beating this silky smooth Brazil team, it had to be on the counterattack, utilising brute force when behind the ball.

Fellaini's physical presence in midfield did all the work for him. “It's the execution of the tactics that matters, and today it was magnificent. These boys made it happen,” Martinez said after the game.

Brazil had begun the game on a strong note, but kept running into traffic. The Belgians crowded the box every time their opponents attempted to dribble in, depriving Brazil of their natural game. This is the Brazilian side that had waltzed its way around opponents, but were suddenly playing a game they were not used to.

Plan B was to find the three attackers with long balls. When that didn't work either, they tried long shots from outside the box. Nothing was working. Brazil were out of options. They were being outmuscled and outclassed.

Belgium continued to convert defence into attack with ease. The three attackers kept switching position, but the Brazilians weren't man-marking anyway. The Selecao had conceded only once on their way to the quarterfinals, but when faced with an attack of this quality, they were left wanting.

Kevin De Bruyne gave Belgium their second goal with a screamer from outside the box. A counter attack led by Lukaku found the crafty attacker on the right. He took a calculated strike from long range, like many a time he has done at Manchester City, and Alisson could get nowhere close to the ball that went flying in.

A pensive Tite stood like a statue on the sidelines as he analysed the first half carnage. He brought on Roberto “Bobby” Firmino at half time, in the place of the enterprising Willian. He got several chances, but didn't convert. Douglas Costa, who came on for Gabriel Jesus, too had several attempts at the goal. Someone had to remind him that the Belgians were giving no space, although to his credit, Courtois was kept busy.

Ah, Courtois. Having been at the receiving end of trolls for a couple of howlers this tournament, the tall man, however, stood up to the challenge today, making some spectacular saves to keep his team in the game. Neymar and Coutinho got several shots away, but Courtois was in no mood to concede easy.

Brazil did manage to pull one back. Coutinho dinked a ball into the box in the 76th minute and the substitute Renato Augusto beat the defenders to head it in past Courtois. It was a beautifully crafted goal and suddenly Belgium were looking slow when defending on the counter-attack. Firmino turned, twisted and shot just after the Brazil goal, but it went over the bar. Brazil had hope.

A few minutes later it became evident that the Belgium's defenders were growing tired. A gaping hole was created, almost as if they were welcoming Renato Augusto to run in again. This time, he shot it hard, and shot it wide. Thomas Vermaelen was immediately brought on by Martinez.

Belgium managed to hold on and Brazil kept drilling in shots. Nothing could go through after that and Brazil were just not sturdy enough to take on the might of Belgium. This is the golden generation of Belgium that everyone was talking about back in 2014. This is the second part of that same generation that has taken them to the semifinal for only the second time in their history. No redemption for Brazil this year.