Neymar is out as Belgium were gifted the lead through an unfortunate own goal from Brazil star Fernandinho after 13 minutes, Belgium doubled their lead on the half-hour mark via an exquisite 20-yard finish from Kevin De Bruyne. Renato Augusto pulled one back for Brazil with a good header just three minutes after coming off the bench. Brazil denied a penalty despite Vincent Kompany appearing to bring Gabriel Jesus down in the penalty box. Belgium.2-1 Brazil.
Belgium will face France in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday 10 July, 7:00pm KO BST
Belgium sent five-time winners Brazil packing from the World Cup with a scintillating strike from Kevin De Bruyne proving the difference in a very entertaining quarter-final.
Fernandinho's own goal from a corner had gifted Belgium the lead after 15 minutes before Romelu Lukaku's mazey run and a super strike from De Bruyne saw them go two goals to the good inside half an hour.
Brazil mounted a comeback when substitute Renato Augusto pulled one back with 15 minutes left, but a top save from Thibaut Courtois in the 94th-minute sealed Belgium's passage into a semi-final clash with France.
Belgium defender Vincent Kompany runs to celebrate their opening goal of the game, but is not credited with the strike
The Belgium players celebrate together after they take a one-goal lead against Brazil in their World Cup quarter-final clash
Replays show the ball deflected off the arm of Kompany's club team-mate Fernandinho and is given as an own goal
Brazil goalkeeper Alisson falls to the ground as he fails to save the ball from going into Brazil's net to give Belgium the lead
Neymar and Gabriel Jesus look dejected as they make their way back to the centre circle to restart the game after the goal
Kevin De Bruyne shoots at goal and double's Belgium's lead as he finds the bottom corner of the net with a fierce strike
Philippe Coutinho (No 11) and Marcelo (No 12) can only watch as the ball flies towards the Brazil goal destined for the net
Brazil goalkeeper Alisson watches as he fails to save the shot from De Bruyne, which nestles in the corner of the net
Belgium's No 7 performs a knee-slide as he celebrates what is likely to be one of the best goals at this summer's World Cup
Belgium's No 7 points to the sky as he finishes his celebration following the goal that gave them a two-goal lead in the match
Neymar wipes the sweat from his face as he waits for the match to restart after his Brazil side fall two goals down to Belgium
Belgium players celebrate after confirming their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup courtesy of a well-earned victory
Belgium captain Eden Hazard falls to his knees in celebration as the referee blows the final whistle to confirm their victory
Neymar hides his face in his hands after Brazil are sent packing from the World Cup by Belgium at the quarter-final stage
Belgium's No 7 performs a knee-slide as he celebrates what is likely to be one of the best goals at this summer's World Cup
Neymar wipes the sweat from his face as he waits for the match to restart after his Brazil side fall two goals down to Belgium
Belgium players celebrate after confirming their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup courtesy of a well-earned victory
Belgium captain Eden Hazard falls to his knees in celebration as the referee blows the final whistle to confirm their victory
Neymar hides his face in his hands after Brazil are sent packing from the World Cup by Belgium at the quarter-final stage
The Brazilian team walked into the place with regulation green back-packs, looking like a group on some kind of commando mission, though things didn’t start well. Marcelo got lost on his way to the dressing room. Casemiro was denied entry to the stadium because he had forgotten his accreditation. The effect was very similar out on the pitch.
They began well enough, exposing a weakness to the set-piece for which Belgium looked like they might pay a very heavy price. The game wasn’t even ten minutes old when Miranda flicked on a corner from Neymar and Thiago Silva directed it onto the left upright with his right knee and Paulinho, unmarked, received another corner but could not find any power.
But Belgium were set up to deal with that lethal axis formed by Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and the overlapping Marcelo down Brazil’s right, which flickered intermittently into life in the game’s first 15 minutes. The usual back three became a four as soon as they fell out of possession, with Thomas Meunier dropping back. As Martinez’s players found composure, so they located the counter-attacking weapon they come here intent on releasing.
The suspension of Casemiro - the granite-like presence in front of the Brazilian defence - had seemed beforehand to create a chink of light for the Belgians. That was certainly how it transpired as the breathtaking pace and vision of Kevin de Bruyne, with Romelu Lukaku and, gradually, Eden Hazard, blew a hole through heart of their side.
There was a vulnerability about Casemiro ’s replacement, Fernandino, from the game’s second minute when de Bruyne won a contest with him and drove a shot narrowly wide.
His belief was further shredded inside 13 minutes when Nacer Chadli’s inswinging corner shaved the top of Vincent Kompany’s head and was diverted in off the Manchester City midfielder’s shoulder.
Looking to draw level, Brazil created space in behind and Belgium had them precisely where they wanted. Lukaku’s contribution had been erratic for the first half hour but when he is allowed to gather the ball and charge with it, he is monumental.
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