Stephen Hunt: Belgium flows like a breath of fresh air that we expect from Brazil

Brazil is not expected to come out of the World Cup in the quarterfinals. Every four years, we expect them to turn on the style, entertain us and win the competition. And every four years, they let us down.

Do not get me wrong, Brazil did not play so badly in this World Cup. Unbeaten until they lost Friday, they had their moments in some of the previous matches but they simply went to a very good Belgian team.

Their trainer Tite tried to find a structure that suited Neymar and made the best of Philippe Coutinho. It almost worked. The pair of them bonded well but, if I had a criticism of Titus, it was that he was not playing Roberto Firmino in front of Gabriel Jesus and persevered with Manchester City all the way through of the competition.

And then there is Neymar. He was dangerous sometimes and showed a lot of skill and effort. But if he wants to reach the level of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, he must be more ruthless and more clinical. We just did not see it in Russia.

He also sometimes seemed stupid. His behavior was embarrassing and simply did not become one of the best players in the world. It is interesting that we talk about him leaving Paris St-Germain this summer. Which team wants to sign a player who thinks these histrionics are acceptable?

Belgium did not have such distractions in these finals and was really impressive en route to the semi-finals.

Their first goal against Brazil could have been It was an own goal, but it was the delivery of Nacer Chadli's set-set, and it shows The importance of the man who crosses the first post, even if he does not make contact with the balloon. The presence of Vincent Kompany in this zone has created confusion for the purpose of Fernandinho's shoulder

Kevin De Bruyne's second goal was a pure luster. It was an excellent technique on the part of a guy at the top of his game who is looking to take the next level and who seems determined to reach the final of the World Cup.

De Bruyne was excellent at this tournament and took the form that he showed for Manchester City to Russia. Friday night, he completely ran the show in the middle against his teammate Fernandinho City

and once Belgium got that first goal, they opened and played with the confidence that they showed all at along the competition. are comfortable with. They played as if we were expecting Brazil to play.

One of the revelations of this Belgian team was Romelu Lukaku. I would much rather see the powerful forward-center who is ready to dart and take the defenders, rather than just holding the ball in midfield. It looks like it's pretending to be Thierry Henry, who has just been on Roberto Martinez's coaching team.

Lukaku has been a different animal in Russia and he seems to want to get the ball wide and flow on the sides of the opposition defense. This desire to make these races must also come from the manager.

Eden Hazard looks focused and is another who will do everything possible to make up her mind all the way. He is not only trying to score goals himself, but he has been more of a team player in this tournament. From what I've seen, his body language is positive and he continues his work.

When you watch Belgium play, you wait for the explosion of Lukaku or Hazard. They always look sharp and, if they get the first goal, they are very difficult to play because they are very difficult to dispossess.

The management of the tournament seems to suit Roberto Martinez, which could explain why he won the England Cup with Wigan Athletic, but still found himself at relegation as a Premier League manager . He has struggled during an entire season at Everton, where expectations are even greater, of course.

If he really relies on tactics, positivity, and a free style of play, you can get away with that competitions like a World Cup, but it's hard to maintain that during the World Cup. a whole season. It also helps to have world-class players like Hazard and De Bruyne on your team because you can work with their strengths.

Martinez certainly played the Belgian players for him. For Lukaku to bomb the pitch as he has proven, only José Mourinho knows why he can not do that for Manchester United. I suspect that we just did not ask him.

It will be an intriguing semi-final against France which, on paper, seems to be a good match for the final. Still, I suspect it will be a tight match difficult to call. The Belgian front at three can probably cause more problems than the French, and if they get the first goal, I can see Belgium take it away.

Sunday Indo Sport