Neymar is disenchanted: Belgium beats the record world champions

Neymar is also going home - as the third world star after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Belgium, with its almost unstoppable offensive troika of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, shot itself into the role of top favorite in front of 42.873 spectators. In the second semi-final in Belgian World Cup history since 1986, coach Roberto Martinez's team will face their neighbors from France on Tuesday (20.00 p.m. CEST) in St. Petersburg. The spectators can look forward to another great spectacle against Kylian Mbappe and Co.

Against Brazil, after a chaotic opening phase, Belgium benefited from an own goal from Fernandinho (13th), before De Bruyne (31st) skilfully used his freedom in the offensive. Because Belgium did not consistently finish its counterattacks, ex-Leverkusen player Renato Augusto (76th) forced a thrilling final phase with many chances but little precision in the finish with his header. Thibaut Courtois made a great save against Neymar in stoppage time (90+4).

Coach Martinez had put De Bruyne behind the leaders after the lucky 3-2 win in the round of XNUMX against Japan, and this move paid off. As did a tactical change after ten turbulent minutes. Thomas Meunier moved into defense on the right, and from then on the ball artists Neymar, Willian and Gabriel Jesus crashed into the back four. The towers in the battle: Vincent Kompany and Marouane Fellaini, who, like Nacer Chadli, was moved into the starting line-up after his goal against Japan.

However, Belgium also played into the lead. Who knows how the game would have developed if Thiago Silva (8th) had hit the goal instead of hitting the post from two meters after a corner. Paulinho (10th) was also completely free to shoot after a dead ball, but did not hit the ball correctly. Neymar tried hard, but the Belgians almost extended their lead before the break. De Bruyne (41') with a free kick and Kompany (42') with the heel failed to beat Alisson.

At kick-off, the best defense in the World Cup met the best attack, but both teams looked for salvation in the offensive. Fernandinho's mishap meant Brazil's first goal in 322 minutes and a record for Belgium. Never before had a selection from the Kingdom scored 13 goals at a World Cup. They continued to play forward, they had enough of the status of the secret favorites who always fail when it becomes important.

Neymar and his teammates, who hardly showed any weakness until the quarter-finals, still have to wait for their sixth World Cup title. Although they didn't collapse like they did in the 1-7 defeat against Germany in the semi-finals of the home World Cup four years ago, Neymar couldn't think of more than one swallow (52nd) for a long time. Referee Milorad Mazic didn't point to the spot just as he did three minutes later when Kompany fouled Jesus. Despite consulting the video referee. Belgium was lucky there.

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Neymar is disenchanted: Belgium beats the record world champions

The Selecao, who had been convincing to date, lost 1-2 (0-2) to the Red Devils in a spectacular World Cup quarter-final that could easily have been a final.

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