Belgium in semi- finals set date with France

In three games, Kazan has claimed the winners of 11 World Cups. First Germany went. Then, Argentina were blown away by France. And the biggest of them all, fivetime champions Brazil were sent tumbling out of the World Cup on Friday night, falling 2- 1 to Belgium in the quarterfinals. Brazil’s dream of a sixth World Cup was shattered. A. Fernandinho’s own goal and a brilliant Kevin De Bruyne strike gave Belgium a spot in the last four for the second time since 1986. The Red Devils will now play France, who eliminated Uruguay 2- 0 earlier in the day.

For the first time ever, the World Cup semifinals will not feature — Brazil, Argentina or Germany. Of the six teams left in the competition, only France and England are past winners. As the South Americans depart, this ensures that the World Cup will be won by a European team. The last time Brazil defeated a European team in the knockout stages of a World Cup was the 2002 final in Japan when it outclassed Germany, known for its footballing pedigree. Entering the tournament, the advantage Brazil had over their competitors was three- fold: Their coach Title under whom they have been undefeated in their last 15 games, a world- class squad, and superstar, Neymar. Tite, 56, admitted it was a “bitter” defeat. After the game, he said, “They have a lot of top players and finished well. Thibaut Courtois made a real difference. For all the pain I feel right now, if you like football, you have to watch this game. It’s going to give you pleasure.”