In only the slightest of upsets, Brazil has been sent packing in Quarterfinal action by the golden generation of Belgian football. Brazil had their fair share of chances to win this one, but most of their shots were well off the mark. The sense of expectation and even entitlement that permeates every Finals appearance by Brazil will no doubt be heightened by their shock loss to Belgium. Still, Brazil fared better than their mauling at the hands of Germany, a 7-1 loss the Brazilian public is haunted by to this day.
But forget Brazil for a second, this is Belgium's greatest team ever assembled since '82 when they vanquished the mighty Argentinians. A group consisting of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibault Courtois is most deserving of their moment on an elevated platform. Before the tourney even started, Hazard urged the Belgian public to look past mistakes of the past, and they've come this far: a victory from a place in the final.
In this afternoon 2-1 win over Brazil, Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne controlled the game from a more withdrawn position in midfield. Neymar, who drew the ire of pundits and fans for his flopping antics, went down for real in the early going, when the much taller Marouane Fellaini threw an an assortment of elbows at his head. Belgium was in no mood to play.
Oh and check this incredible save Courtois made to ensure his side a victory in the dying seconds.