Belgium knocks soccer powerhouse Brazil out of World Cup

Belgian squad will play in semifinals for first time in 32 years after 2-1 win; will face France, who beat Uruguay 2-0

By AP 6 July 2018, 11:32 pm
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, center, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal match between Brazil and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kazan Arena, in Kazan, Russia, on July 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Belgium reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 32 years by holding off five-time champion Brazil 2-1 on Friday, sending Neymar home without living up to expectations for being soccer’s most expensive player.

Kevin De Bruyne put Belgium up 2-0 by completing a counterattack led by Romelu Lukaku in the 31st minute.

The opener came after a bit of good fortune. Fernandinho’s trailing arm inadvertently helped Belgium captain Vincent Kompany’s header land in his own net in the 13th.

As Belgium lost cohesiveness in the second half and Brazil’s changes stirred the team, substitute Renato Augusto reduced the deficit with a header in the 76th.

But it was too late for Brazil to muster an equalizer as efforts to force the game into extra time were thwarted by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Belgian soccer fans celebrate after the Belgium’s goal as they watch the Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final match between Brazil and Belgium, in Woluwe, Brussels, on July 6, 2018. (AFP Photo/Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck)

Belgium will face France in the semifinals on Tuesday in St. Petersburg after the French team won its game earlier Friday 2-0 against Uruguay.

France has gone on to reach the World Cup final the last two times it advanced to the semifinals. They won their only World Cup in 1998 on home soil, and in 2006 lost to Italy on penalties.

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