Belgian striker welcomes shot against Brazil

KAZAN, RUSSIA» Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku won’t be heard complaining that his team’s reward for winning its World Cup group is ending up in what appears to be the far harder side of the draw and meeting five-time champion Brazil in the quarterfinals.

Friday evening’s game in Kazan brings together the two highest-ranked teams left in the tournament following Germany’s early exit. Brazil is ranked second and Belgium third. Whoever wins plays either France or Uruguay.

At a news conference Thursday, Lukaku said Belgium’s disappointing experience at the 2016 European Championship showed nothing should be taken for granted in football.

“If you want to achieve something, you have to fight for it every time,” said Lukaku, who has impressed at the World Cup with four goals.

“Everyone was saying you should come in second (in Group G) ... but look at the European Championship when we had the same route as England now and things went wrong straight away.”

England, which came second behind Belgium in Group G, arguably has ended up on the easier side of the draw.

England plays Sweden in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The winner of England vs. Sweden will then meet either Croatia or Russia.

With arguably its strongest collection of players ever from Thibaut Courtois in goal to Kevin De Bruyne in midfield and Eden Hazard and Lukaku up front, Belgium is trying to reach the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1986.