Brazil Are Out Of The World Cup Following Loss To Belgium

Brazil are out of the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Belgium at the Kazan stadium.

Belgium got off to a flying start after Hazard's corner was whipped to the near post, rebounding off Fernandinho's right arm and into the Brazilian net, under no pressure whatsoever. Not one player in a red shirt was anywhere near him.

The game was open from start to finish, however, and while the Belgians held their slender 1-0 lead, they could just as easily have conceded three goals within the first 15 minutes.

That became academic just after the half-hour mark, however, as Kevin de Bruyne buried a screamer into the bottom left corner of Becker's net following sterling work from Romelu Lukaku.

A confident Belgium headed into half-time 2-0 up and football fans were heaping praise on the team.

And, as the second half wore on, it looked less likely that Brazil would get back into the game - however, in the 76th minute, Philippe Coutinho spotted Renato Augusto in space in the Belgian penalty area, and whipped in an inviting cross for his teammate to head firmly beyond the reach of Thibaut Courtois.

That set up the game nicely for a manic finish in which a clearly rattled Belgium failed to regain their attacking momentum. Brazil, meanwhile, burst into the box several more times and might have at least pulled level if not for some wasteful finishing.

But it wasn't all good news for the Belgian side, Thomas Meunier was handed a yellow card after tripping Neymar, meaning that he won't be joining his team in the semi-final.

The action continued late on into the game - Brazil argued in vain for a penalty on the 90th minute - Neymar (who else) fell in the box as he jumped for a cross, following negligible contact from Meunier, but referee Milorad Mazic was unmoved, as was VAR.

There was further drama as the flamboyant striker almost looped a delightful shot into the top corner, only for Courtois to pull off a remarkable save at full stretch.

In the end the day was Belgium's - another victory for the country's much-touted 'golden generation', another display of reckless but hugely entertaining football from Roberto Martinez's side.

They now reach the last four of the competition - vindication, perhaps, for the manager's swashbuckling style after much criticism following a narrow win over Japan in the previous round, and indeed Premier League tenures at Wigan and Everton.

Belgium will now face France in a semi-final match on Tuesday 10 July. Who's your money on?