Belgium upsets Brazil, France ousts Uruguay in changing of the guard
Last remaining multiple World Cup champions eliminated in quarters
KAZAN, Russia — Only five countries have won the World Cup more than once. None of them have a chance to win another this year.
Five-time champion Brazil and twotime champion Uruguay were both eliminated Friday, losing in the quarterfinals. Argentina, another two-time winner, lost in the round of 16, while four-time champion Germany couldn’t make it out of the group stage.
Italy, which also has won four titles, didn’t even qualify — losing to Sweden in the playoffs.
This is the first time there will be a semifinals without at least one of Italy, Argentina, Brazil or Germany.
That only leaves France and England as former champions still with a chance to win another title in Russia.
BELGIUM 2, BRAZIL 1
KAZAN, Russia — Neymar used Brazil’s famed yellow jersey to shield his anguish. The Belgians, clad in red and dancing in a celebratory circle nearby, couldn’t hide their relief.
Belgium reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 32 years by holding off five-time champion Brazil 2-1 Friday in one of the country’s greatest soccer feats.
“We’ve achieved something that is really beautiful,” said Kevin De Bruyne, who scored Belgium’s second goal, “and it’s not easy.”
Belgium eliminated Brazil by successfully fusing the attacking potency of De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku with the creativity of Eden Hazard and the goalkeeping exploits of Thibaut Courtois. Plus an own-goal from Brazil.
It all adds up to a semifinal match against France in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.
“Just treasure it and pass it down in the generations,” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said, still seemingly in awe of what his team achieved.
While Belgium’s golden generation is finally flourishing, Neymar is leading Brazil home after failing to live up to the expectations that come with being soccer’s most expensive player.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia — A shot that flew directly at the hands of the opposing goalkeeper turned into a World Cup goal for Antoine Griezmann.
The France striker scored the second goal in his team’s 2-0 quarterfinal win over Uruguay on Friday, sending a seemingly easy-to-save shot at a waiting Fernando Muslera. But the ball hit the keeper on the palms, bounced off and looped over his head and into the net.
Raphael Varane gave France the lead with a header in the 40th minute, and Griezmann scored his goal in the 61st.
France went on to reach the World Cup final the last two times it advanced to the semifinals.