HOW BELGIUM OUTSMARTED THE FAVOURITES

It was as much a contest of skills on the pitch as it was between two cerebral coaches. A look at how it panned out:

NEW TACTICS

Belgium switched to 4-3-3 against Brazil with Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Meunier playing more as full-backs throughout the match. Hitherto, Vertonghen was used as part of a three-back formation with Vincent Kompany and Toby Alderweireld but on Friday, he shifted wide to tackle the problem which would have been created by Neymar and Marcelo.

The ease with which Belgium adapted to the change can be contrasted with how Argentina struggled when they opted for three backs against Croatia. Just another reason why Belgium are in the semis and Argentina are home.

EFFECTIVE PLOY

The 4-3-3 formation also meant Kevin de Bruyne would play as a false nine. Like he would at Everton, Roberto Martinez got Romelu Lukaku (in pic) to go wide on the right to ensure that Brazil could be stretched by Lukaku and Eden Hazard who could attack Fagner, Brazil’s weakest link at the back.

It also meant Marcelo would think twice before galloping up and when he did, Lukaku could have space to exploit.

CENTRE PLAY

Starting with Marouane Fellaini (in pic) and Nacer Chadli seemed as much a reward for what they did against Japan as it was to stifle if not intimidate Brazil’s playmakers.

The cute passes of Philippe Coutinho or Neymar weren’t going to feet because big bodies were being put on the line in Brazil’s front third and Belgium’s three midfielders — Axel Witsel being the other one — were cutting out the angles.

NOT ENOUGH

Brazil countered brilliantly in the second half by shifting from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 with Roberto Firmino replacing Willian and Gabriel Jesus going wide. From dealing with one striker — Jesus — the Belgian central defensive duo now had to deal with two upfront.

Belgium were forced to cede superiority in the midfield as it became one-way traffic for most of the second half. But they held on through a combination of keeping their concentration under enormous pressure, putting bodies on the line and the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois which saw them seal their semi-final spot where they will face France.