De Bruyne blasts Belgium into semis
BELGIUM produced a stunning performance to claim a place in the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over five-times champions Brazil in Kazan.
An own goal from City’s Fernandinho and fierce strike from his clubmate Kevin De Bruyne put Roberto Martinez’s side in early control of a compelling encounter.
Brazil responded after the break and pulled one back through substitute Renato Augusto 14 minutes from time but Belgium withstood considerable pressure to hold on, although they were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty.
City’s Gabriel Jesus looked to have been caught in the box by his teammate Vincent Kompany but, despite a VAR review, nothing was given.
Thibaut Courtois also made a brilliant fingertip save to keep out a Neymar effort in injury time.
Belgium made a flying start, perhaps aided by a change of tactics and personnel.
Manager Martinez decided to start with United’s Marouane Fellaini, along with Nacer Chadli, the midfielders who transformed the game as substitutes in the last-16 fightback against Japan.
That freed De Bruyne to play in a more advanced role and the City midfielder revelled in the space Brazil continually gave him.
It was Brazil who had the first serious chance after winning a corner but Thiago Silva miscued in front of goal and bundled his effort against the woodwork.
Belgium made them rue the miss as they took the lead from a corner of their own after 13 minutes, although they did enjoy some good fortune.
Kompany obscured the view of his City team-mates Jesus and Fernandinho as he leapt to reach Chadli’s cross and the ball rebounded in off the latter’s shoulder. The second goal came just after the half-hour as United’s Romelu Lukaku charged from deep and fed De Bruyne outside the area.
De Bruyne made no mistake as he lashed home a thunderous drive from distance.
Brazil upped their tempo after the break. Neymar wanted a penalty after falling as Fellaini challenged but Serbian referee Milorad Mazic was unimpressed. Jesus had a stronger appeal after Kompany’s challenge but again Brazil were denied.
They came back again and finally replied when Augusto guided home a header from Coutinho’s cross.
Augusto went close to another as he drove narrowly wide moments later and Coutinho sliced wide from another good opening. And Neymar, after having another penalty appeal rejected, could not beat the flying Courtois from distance. THE chief executive of Rochdale has been banned from ‘all football’ for almost a year and fined £10,000 following an FA probe into his handling of transfers.
Russ Green, who joined Dale in August 2016, has been censured for his part in the signings of Padraig Amond and Lewis Alessandra while chief exec at his previous club Hartlepool.
Mr Green was found guilty of disguising payments to agents as scouting fees and not submitting the correct paperwork to show third parties had been paid as part of the deals for the two players.
He admitted the charges earlier this year.
In a statement, Rochdale AFC said the ‘implications of the FA’s decision are now being considered by the club’.
The statement added: “Russ Green has been suspended from all football and football related activity from 16 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 and fined £10,000.”