Belgium will face France in the first semifinal at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament after the Red Devils survived an onslaught from favourites Brazil to beat the five-time Champions 2-1 in their last eight clash.
The Belgians surprisingly raced into a 2-0 in the first half courtesy goals from Fernandinho (own goal) and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (KDB) as Brazil produced a timid display in the first 45 minutes of the game.
Tite’s team improved after the halftime interval with the introduction of Roberto Firmino and Douglas Costa but the Belgium rearguard was equal to the task.
It took the intervention of a third Brazilian substitute for the complexion of things to change a bit as substitute Renato Augusto pulled one back to setup a grandstand finish with fourteen minutes left.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois thereafter made some crucial saves to maintain his side’s slender advantage till the end of the game.
The Europeans take their unbeaten run to 25 games with the result, while Brazil fail to make the World Cup semifinal for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In addition, South American nations miss out on the World Cup semifinals for the first time since the 1982 edition.
Belgium will face former winners France at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg on Tuesday night in the quest for a first World Cup final appearance.
