Brazil vs Belgium, World Cup 2018: How Kevin de Bruyne proved the key cog in Roberto Martinez's abstract masterplan

Martinez boldly overhauled his system to beat Brazil and cement a place in the semi-final, with De Bruyne proving key to a remarkable 2-1 victory

When I am painting, I am not aware of what I'm doing. It is only after a sort of ‘get acquainted’ period that I see what I have been about. I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well.

Jackson Pollock, ‘My Painting’, 1956

In the opening few moments of this match, Belgium were a mess. Romelu Lukaku was stationed somewhere out on the right-wing. West Bromwich Albion’s Nacer Chadli appeared to be man-marking Willian. And Axel Witsel and Marouane Fellaini looked as though they were in constant danger of running into one another, as the cramped midfield of the Kazan Arena sagged steadily under their collective weight.

But wait. There was method in the madness. And despite his team taking to the field in a blur of confused colour and abstract positioning, a masterplan began to emerge through the mayhem. Incredibly: it turned out that Roberto Martínez knew what he was doing all along.

It has taken him months to get to this moment. Back in Belgium there have long been doubts over Martínez’s tactical chops, and confidence in his ability was hardly bolstered by an alarmingly sanguine press conference after Monday’s thrillingly streaky 3-2 win over Japan. Was Martínez finally ready to change the three-man central defence that leaves his side so vulnerable on the flanks? Hmph. Not exactly.

“Today is not a day to speak about systems,” ran the reply. The wafer-thin backline was here to stay.

And so for Brazil, Martínez kept faith with the men who saved Belgium’s campaign against Japan. Both Fellaini and Chadli were picked to start, with luminaries such as Yannick Carrasco, Dries Mertens and Mousa Dembélé all left to stew on the bench. However any notion that Fellaini would play in a more advanced role alongside Eden Hazard went out the window when it became clear he was not willing to advance past the halfway line, and when Brazil went close to taking the lead from a poorly-cleared corner after just eight minutes, Belgium looked in some trouble.

On the touchline, Martínez watched the game intently, his left hand raised to his chin. And then suddenly it all clicked. Belgium settled – and seized control.

Lukaku’s bizarre positioning began to make a lot more sense shortly after the admittedly fortuitous opening goal, as Brazil began to flood forward and great green spaces began to open up all over the pitch. It’s not the first time that Martínez has pulled the trick: in 2014 he played Lukaku out wide on the right against Arsenal at Goodison Park, the decision proving a key if unexpected factor in an dominant 3-0 win.

Kevin de Bruyne was sensational for Belgium (Getty)

Four years later and it worked just as well, only this time in a World Cup quarter-final against Brazil. Playing like a bulked-up Mario Mandžukić with a better eye for goal, Lukaku repeatedly received the ball in the space behind Marcelo when in one-on-one situations with the scrambling Miranda, using his strength to drive past the defender and play in one of his team-mates. Until Tite’s tactical tweak at half-time, taking off Willian for Roberto Firmino, Brazil did not have an answer to him.

But key to the new system was Kevin De Bruyne – another world class player handed an unfamiliar but vital new role by Martínez. The Manchester City man was arguably the Premier League’s best player this season but so far he has been rather shackled in Russia, deployed too deep to be truly effective. And against Japan he was largely anonymous until Martínez released the handbrake late on and waved him forward, to devastating effect.

It always seemed obvious then that De Bruyne would start this quarter-final freed from a defensive midfield role – but Martínez took this strategy to dramatic new lengths. This was a new De Bruyne: one who took as many shots on goal (3) as he played key passes. Here he was not simply used as an advanced playmaker but as a bona fide centre forward, lining up in between Lukaku and Hazard and invited to drive at Brazil’s stretched defence at every opportunity.

Everything came together for Roberto Martínez (Getty)

Which is precisely what he did for Belgium’s all-important second. Fittingly it was the three Manchester men handed the most important roles in this bold new system that linked-up for the goal. First Fellaini cleared the underwhelming Neymar’s corner. Then Lukaku burst into space down the right. And finally De Bruyne received his rolled past in the final third before unleashing an unstoppable low shot beyond Alisson.

The goal was the ultimate vindication for Martínez. Against Japan, Belgium looked defensively vulnerable and completely lost control of central midfield. But in having the bravery to make changes and completely overhaul the image of that ailing side, he has stumbled upon a system that appears to suit his band of superstar individuals perfectly.

Far from being tactically lacking, Martínez has out-thought Tite – one of the most astute tacticians in international football – masterminding a first World Cup semi-final for Belgium since 1986 and just their second in history. Their match against France will feel like a de facto final. And maybe – just maybe – there was method in the madness all along.