Roberto Martinez masterminded one of the upsets of the World Cup so far when his Belgium team defeated favourties Brazil 2-1 in Kazan on Friday. Two first half goals, one an own goal and the other from the impressive Kevin De Bruyne gave Belgium a 2-0 first half lead before substitute Augusto pulled one back for Brazil in the second half.
A lively start to the game saw De Bruyne get the first look at goal in the second minute, but he dragged effort wide.
In the 8th min – both Brazilian centre backs almost combined to give their team the lead but Silva’s effort comes back off the post after a flick on from Miranda from a corner kick.
A quick Belgian counter saw a Hazard shot charged down in the nick of time as both teams went for it.
Paulinho spurned an easy chance when he was free in the box from anther flick-on from Miranda from another corner, but his mishit effort proved to be of no danger.
De Bruyne then produced a beautiful pass to dissect the Brazilian defence and find Fellaini on the edge of D but his effort was deflect over for a corner.
Thirteen minutes in the ball hit the arm of Fernandinho and went into the net from a corner kick although Vincent Kompany who got a slight touch to the ball first celebrated as though the goal was his.
Coutinho got a sight at goal in the 19th minute but he shot straight at Courtois.
Marcelo then forced a save from Courtois from the edge of the box as Titi’s men hunted a leveler.
Belgium went 2-0 up from a superb counter attack in the 31st minute. Lukaku led the Belgians counter from a corner kick before passing to De Bruyne who fired home low into the bottom right corner from 18 yards.
Jesus who was free in the box was unable to get a header on target from 16 yards.
Alisson tipped over a De Bruyne free kick from 22 yards, before coming up with a good save from a Kompany flick at near post from corner as the Belgians finished the half strongly.
A dangerous cross from Marcelo to half time substitute Firminho saw the Liverpool striker get a toe to the ball but it was not enough to get it on target. Paulinho was also denied by Courtois close in.
Costa came on for the ineffective Jesus in the 58th minute and immediately added some spunk to the Brazilian attack.
Belgium were still a danger and in the 62nd they had another quick counter led by Chadli. He passed to De Bruyne who found Hazard but the captain shot just wide of far post.
Augusto came on for Paulinho and gave his team a lifeline with just under 15 minutes to play when he ghosted into the box to get on the end of a Coutinho flick to head home past Courtois.
Augusto then had a glorious chance to make it 2-2 but steered the ball wide of an open goal from dead centre and 20 yards out.
Brazil had two more chances to find an equalizer but missed them both.
Coutinho fired well wide from 12 yards from a perfect layoff from Neymar, before the PSG striker saw his shot tipped over by Courtouis following a pass from Costa.
It was a tearful exit for the five time champions while Belgium celebrated reaching their first semifinal since 1986.
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