Supp. Twenty One ‘Neymar toppled for the final time'

Brazil have been the favourites for many since day one, but in hindsight it will be easy to pick on how long it took them to take flight at the tournament. Their exit will come as a shock, going out to a Belgium side who conceded two against the Japanese just a few days prior.

The Kazan arena, marked with bursts of yellow in the stands witnessed yet another barnstormer. Tite’s Brazil started enthusiastically and when the experienced Thiago Silva watched helplessly as his early effort scraped off the post it looked like Belgium would go down as per the majority of pre-match predictions. But Brazil were lethargic - this game showing that they still have not healed from the disastrous 7-1 drubbing in 2014.

Neymar, who many thought would enhance his image and’ dominate at the tournament was absent and if anything he has done irreversable damage to his reputation. His constant diving saw the winger spend upwards of 14 minutes rolling around faking injuries, in the process destroying the image of football for prospective viewers - his attitude has looked equally as embarrassing and someone must have a word with the 220 Million Pound man.

The game itself was evenly poised in the early stages. For Belgium, Roberto Martinez removed Dries Mertens from the 11 who started the game and brought scorer Marouane Fellaini into the midfield with Kevin De Bruyne joining Hazard and Lukaku in a front three. The Man City man looked free in that role, having a far greater influence on affairs after calls to change his position after a poor showing vs. Japan were answered. After 13 minutes and a few Brazilian efforts on goal Nacer Chadli delivered a free kick from the left hand side in what was the first real venture forward for Belgium. The ensuing delivery was excellent and Vincent Kompany appeared to header in from the front post - replays would confirm that it was indeed an own goal however, the ball narrowly missing Kompany’s head, moving into a hugely dangerous area and deflecting off Fernandinho’s shoulder. Nevertheless, Belgium had taken the lead and began to look good value for the lead.

The next breakthrough came after Belgium, looking hugely effective on the break and efficient in their use of the ball broke from deep in their own half. Powerhouse Romelu Lukaku picked the ball up deep in Belgian territory and managed to turn before steaming away, a body feint deceiving Fernandinho on the half way line before the United striker played a deft ball into the feet of De Bruyne. Belgium’s number 7 sent a powerful drive into the bottom corner and with that asserted a 2-0 lead. Martinez’ men were looking unstoppable.

The remaining hour of play saw Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois step up and make some remarkable saves - notably denying Coutinho from distance before a last minute save would send Belgium into the Semi’s. Renato Augusto’s header, reminiscent of Paul Pogba’s in the Manchester Derby earlier in the year would not be enough and the exuberant Belgians, led by Lukaku and Hazard progress - the latter has been so good that he is perhaps on par with Neymar in the eyes of many. Martinez, an FA Cup winner with Wigan has experience, but can he prove the doubters, whom there are plenty of, finally wrong?

Uruguay took on France in the earlier kick off, looking to secure a faint South American presence in the last stages. France, who took a while to get of the ground in performance terms despite getting results, looked brilliant. Assured and confident in possession the impressive Cavani-less Uruguayan’s were no match for France. From the back every France player gave good accounts of themselves, Hugo Lloris stopping any chances the South Americans may have created for themselves.

France’s opener came from a Griezmann free kick, a bullet header from Raphael Varane across goal ensuring a first half lead. Caceres went close for Uruguay but a Spider-Man like save from Lloris kept the Serie A star from converting. The French dominated in large parts and compounded their lead when Griezmann struck from long distance and veteran Fernando Muslera made a mistake similar to Loris Karius’ in the Champions League final. Finishing 2-0, the French train is well and truly in motion and their Semi-final encounter with Belgium promises to be an enthralling one.