The Eden project
Hazard inspires Belgium to win over Brazil and a World Cup semi v France
Eden Hazard was outstanding as Belgium reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 32 years by defeating five-time winners Brazil 2-1 in Kazan, sending Neymar home without living up to the expectations of being football’s most expensive player.
Belgium scored the decisive goal on a counter-attack just after a corner had been taken by Neymar. Romelu Lukaku surged forward before playing in Kevin De Bruyne who fired home a wonderful shot to give Belgium a 2-0 lead in the 31st minute.
“This was the biggest test for us,” De Bruyne said. “Brazil were so strong in attack.”
The opener came after a bit of good fortune. Fernandinho’s trailing arm inadvertently diverted Belgium captain Vincent Kompany’s header into the Brazil net in the 13th minute. As Belgium lost cohesiveness in the second half and Brazil’s changes stirred the team, substitute Renato Augusto reduced the deficit in the 76th minute with a header.
But it was too late for Brazil and their efforts to force the game into extra time were thwarted by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
For the third time in a World Cup – after 1982 and 2006 – the semi-finals will feature only European teams. Belgium and France will meet in St Petersburg on Tuesday. The next day in Moscow, it will be either England or Sweden against either Russia or Croatia.
Humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals fours year ago on home soil, Brazil didn’t even get that far this time. Just like defending champions Germany and Argentina before them, the Kazan Arena is where Brazil’s World Cup challenge ended.