Belgium sends Brazil packing
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, holding off five-time tournament 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. Brazil was hurt by an own goal, too.
It all adds up to a semifinal against France on Tuesday in St. Petersburg. Belgium, which finished fourth at the 1986 World Cup and has never won the European Championship, is now on a 24-match unbeaten streak overall.
“Just treasure it and pass it down in the generations,” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said, still seemingly in awe of what his team achieved.
Belgium took the lead after a slice of good fortune involving a pair of Manchester City teammates who were on opposing sides. Brazil midfielder Fernandinho’s trailing right arm inadvertently helped Belgium captain Vincent Kompany’s header land in his own net in the 13th minute.
De Bruyne then completed a counterattack launched by Lukaku to double the lead in the 31st 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 with a header. However, Belgium’s Courtois thwarted several efforts to force the game into extra time.
While Belgium’s golden generation is finally flourishing, Neymar heads home after failing to live up to the expectations that come with being soccer’s most expensive player. Crouching on the field, the Paris Saint-Germain forward pulled his shirt over his face while Belgium exalted in victory.
Humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semifinals fours year ago on home soil with Neymar out due to injury, Brazil didn’t even get that far this time.
“Randomness happened, and it was cruel to us,” Brazil coach Tite said. “It was hard to swallow.”
Brazil conceded only one goal in its previous four games in Russia, but the defense was breached after 13 minutes this time. Fernandinho’s own goal ensured for the first time since March 2017 that Brazil was trailing in a competitive match. Unlike then — an eventual 4-1
“We’ve achieved something that is really beautiful and it’s not easy.” — KEVIN DE BRUYNE
victory over Uruguay — there was no comeback.
Courtois proved to be an impenetrable barrier in the Belgium goal, denying Marcelo’s strike before the lead was extended by De Bruyne.
“They were more effective,” Tite said of the Belgians, struggling to hold back tears. “Not a superiority in terms of performance, but in terms of effectiveness on the pitch.”
Belgium held on even after Philippe Coutinho’s cross was headed in by Augusto, who managed to evade Kompany and Jan Vertonghen three minutes after replacing Paulinho.
“Sometimes you have to accept that Brazil has got this finesse, that quality, and that they’re going to break you down, and (Belgium) just refused to accept that,” Martinez said. “This is something special.”
There is guaranteed to be a fourth straight European team winning the World Cup on July 15 in Moscow. As in 1966, 1982 and 2006, the semifinals will feature only teams from Europe. England or Sweden will face Russia or Croatia in the other semifinal Wednesday in Moscow, a day after Belgium plays France.
“We’re on equal footing with France,” De Bruyne said. “The difference between the teams is minimal.”
Belgium will be without defender Thomas Meunier after he tripped Neymar and earned his second yellow card of the tournament.
“I don’t regret the yellow card,” Meunier said. “It was for the sake of the team, and we have a good bench.”