Brazil vs Belgium LIVE World Cup 2018: Brazil out as Belgium advance to the semi-finals - latest reaction from Kazan

Follow all the reaction as Brazil take on Belgium for a place in the semi-finals

World Cup 2018 Brazil National Anthem vs. Belgium

Brazil last faced Belgium in a World Cup back in 2002, Rivaldo and Ronaldo the goalscorers in a 2-0 win. 16 years later and the two teams are competing on much more even terms.

Both Tite and Roberto Martinez have been trying to find a system that gets the best out of their talented individuals.

Brazil seemed to have cracked it and are getting better with every game their play, but Belgium, on the other hand, are struggling to cohesively play together and get the best out of Kevin De Bruyne.

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When is it?

Brazil vs Belgium is on Friday 6 June and kicks off at 19:00 at the Kazan Arena.

Where can I watch it?

BBC will be showing live coverage on BBC One and online on the BBC Sport website.

Odds

Brazil: 11/10

Belgium: 5/2

Draw: 5/2

How did they get here?

Brazil have grown into the tournament since drawing their first game with Switzerland 1-1. Neymar and Roberto Firmino scored in their 2-0 win against Mexico in the round of 16 match.

After resting nine players against England, Belgium were on the brink of being dumped out of the World Cup when Japan were leading in the round of 16 with 25 minutes to go. Jan Vertonghen, Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli scored late to complete a dramatic comeback and keep Belgium’s golden generation in the tournament.

Brazil have gone up the gears so far in Russia (REUTERS)

What is their World Cup history?

Brazil are seeking redemption after their embarrassing 7-1 semi-final defeat against Germany in their home World Cup in 2014. The five time champions are looking for their first World Cup triumph since 2002 and take advantage of a fully fit Neymar who is growing into the tournament.

In 2014 Belgium reached the quarter-finals but lost to Argentina after easing past the United States. In 1986 Diego Maradona’s second half brace ended their run in the semi-final in front of 114,500 fans in the Estadio Azteca, third remains their best finish.

Prediction

Brazil 2-2 Belgium (Belgium win on penalties). In a tournament full of shocks this could be another. Neither team have started quickly so far in this tournament and it will be a very close game - too close, perhaps. In a penalty shootout, with Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and more, you'd have to fancy the Belgians.

Key Points

• Two of the tournament's strongest teams face off in Kazan
• Neymar starred as Brazil beat Mexico to qualify for the last eight
• Belgium came back from 2-0 down to beat Japan 3-2 in a thriller in the last-16
• Winner will face France after Les Bleus saw off Uruguay in Nizhny Novgorod

[6 July 2018 21:28 · Sam Dymond]

The agony...

...and ecstasy of World Cup knockout football...

[6 July 2018 21:51 · Sam Dymond]