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Efficient and serious defensively, the Belgians defeated a Brazilian team too messy and not inspired enough (2-1).
The first semifinal of this World Cup is known. It will oppose France, winner of Uruguay (2-0), to Belgium, who overthrown a Brazilian team too messy and not inspired enough (2-1). This will be the first official match between the two European neighbors since 1986, when they played the match of third place.
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2018 World Cup: Relive the victory of Belgium over Brazil (2-1)
To get there, the Belgians, who had already passed the elimination against the Japanese, had to get rid this time of a serious contender for the title. Paradoxically, the match was much easier against a Brazilian team that seemed to be gaining momentum as the competition progressed, but which, as it showed at Kazan tonight, was more like appearance and individualism than substance and tactical concentration. [19659005] The Belgians took control of the game very quickly in the first half, first taking a goal from Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho (13th) and then a missile strike from Kevin De Bruyne. The action was created by striker Romelu Lukaku, positioned on the right wing, where he alternated between playmaker and point of support on the front of the attack. In both cases, it was ineretable.
# CM2018 #BRABEL 31st, 0-2
⚽⚽ AND TWO FOR BELGIUM
???? BRUYNE TRANSPERCE ALISSONAfter a rush on 50m … https://t.co/1DXpKySMHI
The common point between these two goals? The defensive weakness of Brazil embodied by Fernandinho. Solid holder of the Manchester City of Guardiola, he was only substitute in this Brazilian team that owed his strength and balance to the person he was replacing tonight: Casemiro. Without him, the Brazilian defensive block was constantly overtaken by calls from Hazard, De Bruyne or Lukaku. And the offensive block was forced to return in disaster, like a Willian exhausted after half-time.
See also:
2018 World Cup: the absence of the indispensable Casemiro worries Brazil
Balance makes the difference
This essential balance to the selections that want to reach the last few squares of an international competition, the Belgian coach Roberto Martinez acquired it with some effective changes (the solids Fellaini and Chadli to instead of the over-whirling Carrasco and Mertens).
This allowed the Belgians to hold for 50 minutes the incessant attacks of the Brazilians, a red wall that moved from right to left following the changes of wing of the opponent, repulsed all strikes from afar and broke Neymar's or Coutinho's gray-gray as they approached the surface. "The execution was perfect, these boys deserve to be celebrated there in Belgium," said Roberto Martinez
When it was not the Belgian defense, it was his goalkeeper Thibault Courtois, almost impassable and author of at least three world-class saves, including a tap on Neymar's curling shot in stoppage time. And when it was neither, it was the clumsiness of Brazilian strikers.
The Seleçao could easily have scored four goals in the last 15 minutes. Finally, it is only substitute Renato Augusto who will cross the line, with a header following a perfect lob Coutinho. The others – the same Coutinho, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Douglas Costa – will sometimes fail a few inches
# CM2018 #BRABEL 76th, 1-2
?? REDUCTION OF THE BRAZILIAN SCORE
⚽ RENATO AUGUSTO OF THE HEADOn a center of the … https://t.co/2tfkBTfKf1
The "Golden Generation" reaches the last square
The French who watched the game will be right to ask if a semifinal against their neighbors, rather than against this Brazilian team, is really a better outcome. Belgium is the best attack of this World Cup (14 goals), it put two goals to the best defense of Mondial and beat for the first time a South American team in knockout match.
Especially, Belgium arrives with full confidence, aware of having come close to football death against Japan. They became the first team to come back from a two-goal deficit to win a World Cup match in regulation time since Portugal in 1966. "We are very proud to have won against this kind of team. It's to live that we want to play football, to live matches like the one against Brazil, "said a Kevin De Bruyne elected man of the match by the FIFA.
The" Golden Generation "Belgian had until 'here failed in the quarterfinals, World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016. They reach for the first time the last square and will find France, neighboring country and opponent almost brother. The semifinal, which will take place Tuesday, July 10 at 20 hours in St. Petersburg, will be the 74th match between the two countries, a record. And unlike the last semi-final of the Blues, in 2006 against Portugal, Thierry Henry (123 caps, 53 goals) will not be in the blue corner. He will be in the red corner, as assistant coach of the Belgians.
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