Belgium beat Brazil 2-1, will play France in semifinal

Brazil pulled a goal back through Renato Augusto but it was too little, too late.

Belgium beat World Cup favourites Brazil 2-1 on Friday to set up a semifinal against France in Saint Petersburg.
A Fernandinho own goal in the 13th minute followed by a superb Kevin De Bruyne strike just after the half-hour put Belgium in the driving seat. Brazil pulled a goal back through Renato Augusto but it was too little, too late.

The @Budweiser #ManoftheMatch for #BRABEL was @DeBruyneKev! pic.twitter.com/AIg4EPRJK1
- FIFA World Cup ?? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2018

Neymar had a late chance to equalise but Thibaut Courtois tipped over as Belgium clung on.
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said his side "deserve to be heroes" back home after downing five-time champions Brazil.
"They did incredible. There were amazing hearts out there. I didn't think for one minute their hearts would give way," said Martinez.
"You have to accept that Brazil have so much quality and finesse, they break you down, but we did not accept it. Not for one minute were they (Belgium) going to give up.
"These boys deserve to be heroes in Belgium. The execution of the tactics was magnificent.
"It is special and we can't let the people of Belgium down. We can pass that down the generations - beating Brazil."

SEMI-FINAL 1 CONFIRMED!

Tuesday 10th July
Saint Petersburg Stadium
France vs Belgium #FRABEL // #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/rtmmSMJeAb
- FIFA World Cup ?? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2018

Earlier, France beat Uruguay 2-0 in the first quarterfinal on Friday.
Raphael Varane's glancing header and a goalkeeping blunder that gifted Antoine Griezmann a soft goal gave France the win.
Uruguay went into the game without key striker Edinson Cavani, who was ruled out with a calf injury, with Cristhian Stuani drafted into the starting line-up.

The stats from one of Belgian football's greatest nights. #BRABEL // #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/t2WGo7P8Np
- FIFA World Cup ?? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2018

The impact on their attack was noticeable. Without Cavani, who scored twice in the round of 16 win against Portugal, Uruguay's moves forward lacked a focal point, and Luis Suarez found less space and openings against a well-drilled French defence.
The South Americans battled but their talented generation of players, including the defensive rock Diego Godin, look like ending their international careers without the World Cup success they have threatened to deliver. "I'm proud of my team mates - they were lions," said skipper Godin.

Key stats:

?? #URU are trailing for the first time this #WorldCup
Only #DEN and #BRA have not trailed in the 2018 tournament

?? #FRA have now scored from each of their last five shots on goal at the #WorldCup #URUFRA pic.twitter.com/dH2y6Avtgu
- FIFA World Cup ?? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2018

"We are a team where everyone gives everything in the matches and in preparation..I just have words of gratitude for my team mates," he said.
 

• Fifa World Cup 2019