KAZAN, July 6 -- Following an error from Brazil, Belgium beat the five-time World Cup champions here on Friday evening at the Kazan Arena 2-1 to march into the semifinal.
It will be their second semifinal, following their defeat by Argentina in 1986.
They will then face the 1998 World Cup champions France, who had earlier seen off Uruguay 2-0. Whereas Brazil, who had almost equalized at the end of the match, failed to repeat the victory over France 16 years ago.
The match was breathtakingly fast-paced from the very beginning, with both sides attempting to score immediately after the opening whistle.
The deadlock was broken by a surprising 13th-minute own goal from Brazil's midfielder Fernandinho, who rose high following a corner from Belgium trying to clear the threat. But the ball bounced off his arm into the net.
The Red Devils doubled the lead on the half hour mark. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer who had four goals in the Russia World Cup, blitzed down the middle from his own half and crossed to Kevin De Bruyne, before the Manchester City forward tucked home the ball to the bottom left.
Brazil had several chances to score, and their attack fruited in the 76th minute. Philippe Coutinho, down in the left, sent a delicate delivery to substitute Renato Augusto, and the Beijing Guoan midfielder glanced in.
But the goal was not enough to save Neymar's team. Some Brazilian fans weeping after the match, another favorite for title left.
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