Belgium knock out Brazil from the 2018 World Cup!
Just when you think you've seen it all. This World Cup keeps producing historic moments and we cannot keep up.
Brazil, the favourites to win the World Cup, have been eliminated by Belgium in the quarterfinal to set up a clash with France in the Semis.
In one of the most intriguing games of the competition, Belgium put Brazil to the sword in the early exchanges of the game. An own-goal and a stunner for Kevin de Bruyne gave Belgium a two-goal lead before Renato Agusto came up with a consolation for Brazil.
So much to talk about, let's jump right in!
#5 Brazil go behind for the first time in 392 days
Belgium take an early lead.
Brazil have been excellent front-runners in the competition so far in this competition. After faltering in the opener against Switzerland, where they took the lead and didn't go on to take all three points, they've gone on to make the most of their lead and even gone on to double their advantage on two of those occasions - against Costa Rica and Mexico.
What they have never been subjected to, however, is going behind in a game, not just in Russia but in over a year. As impressive as that stat may be, it has also resulted in Brazil never being tested by being forced to respond when things don't go according to the script - having to fight and hustle your way back into the game.
When Gabriel Jesus and Fernanidnho made a complete hash of the ball whipped in by Nasir Chadli from the corner flag, resulting in the ball ending up in their own goal with Fernandinho getting the last touch they were suddenly forced into a position they had not dealt with in some time.
Although they tried to respond to restore parity, they seemed shocked and overwhelmed by the circumstances and the expectations of the world. That became more evident as Belgium threatened to score every time they ventured into Brazil's half and eventually doubled their advantage.
#4 Roberto Martinez unshackles Kevin de Bruyne, allowing him to do what he does best
KDB strikes it truly like only he can.
The best playmaker in world football might very well be ceratin Belgian who was discarded not so long ago by Chelsea Football Club - deemed not good enough for the big time. That decision has been criticized more often than the Russian transgressions in Eastern Ukraine.
The Manchester City man has the most number of assists in the top five leagues in Europe since his move from Werder Bremen. He was the talk of the town for the entirety of the first half of the Premier League season until a certain Egyptian's fairytale run saw his own eclipsed.
A tame second half, by his standards, in the campaign with City seemed to spill over on his performances for his country in Russia. He wasn't quite able to affect games like he did for Pep Guardiola. The most plausible reasoning behind that being the case was the position the midfielder was being asked to play in by Martinez so far in the competition.
He has been asked to sit deep, alongside Alex Witsel, and has been restrained by the defensive responsibilities that the role entails. But a player of his penetrating quality, surely, needs to be deployed further up the pitch - where he can cause the most damage.
However, after Marouane Fellaini forced his way into the starting lineup, following his heroics against Japan in the previous round, the Belgian manager finally gave KDB the kind of freedom he needs to wreak havoc in the opposition half.
There was little doubt that it would have an effect, as it proved to be, and the maestro was having an immediate impact on proceedings, first with a typical pass bypassing the traffic in the middle of the park to find Fellaini who scuffed his short and then, more fatally, with a thunderous strike to give his side a two-goal cushion in the quarterfinal.
#3 Casemiro's absence is Fernandinho's nightmare
Fernaninho had a night to forget, which he probably won't.
A couple of years ago, and there would've been little debate over who between Casemiro and Fernandinho would start in the middle of the park, in the enforcer role, for Brazil. It would've been the Manchester City man.
But such has been the evolution of Casemiro as a holding midfield player at Real Madrid, specifically under Zinedine Zidane, that his selection in the starting lineup for his country is unarguably merited.
However, after picking up his second yellow card in the tournament in the quarterfinal against Mexico, Casemiro was ineligible for the game against Belgium. That handed Fernandinho his first start in Russia - one he'd much rather have had sat out instead.
After conceding an own goal for the opener, things never got better for the midfielder as he was unable to pick a pass or thwart an attack - as Belgium kept rampaging past him midfield as they carved open Brazil time and again, particularly in the first half.
#2 Tite's selections and tactics under the scanner
Martinez won the tactical battle with Tite.
Such is the nature of the sport that life can turn upside down - all in a matter of 90 minutes. Tite's men were looking like a well-oiled machine, a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut well on its way to glory. As long as they were winning and able to overcome the task in front of them he was shielded from the criticism he was receiving from certain quarters.
His selections have been a topic of much debate, with his preference for Gabriel Jesus over the in-form Roberto Firmino and the criminally underused Douglas Costa up front. Tite will have a tough time trying to explain his decisions, especially after the way Brazil started to dominate the game after both the players were finally subbed on against Belgium.
Gabriel Jesus failed to find the back of the net despite starting every game for Brazil, whereas Firmino managed to get one after coming on in the final three minutes against Mexico. Tite also failed to tackle the challenge posed by Kevin de Bruyne's presence further upfield for Belgium.
#1 The 'Golden Boy' was no match for the 'Golden Generation'
Curtains for Neymar and Brazil.
Brazil allowed all the important players in the opposition to have an effect on the game. Everyone - Eden Hazard, Lukaku, KDB, even Fellaini, stood up for Belgium and were too much to deal with for Neymar Jr. and Co.
Hazard was brilliant on the ball - releasing the pressure by holding onto the ball; dropping into space to pick up the ball and start counters. So was Kevin de Bruyne, who pulled the strings for Belgium without any fuss.
Romelu Lukaku, instead of trying to get on the end of crosses, tried to get on the ball and run at the Bazilian defence - a noticeable change in his approach to the game from his previous appearances; probably recommended by Roberto Martinez. Every time he got on the ball and forced the defenders to back off, It created all sorts of problems for Belgium.
Knocking the favourites out of the competition is as good as it gets, especially this early in the competition. Can they do it? Can the Golden Generation of Belgium make history for their nation? Based on the performance on the night.
No comments:
Post a Comment