FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2018 20

BRAZIL BELGIUM Nickname | Selecao (The Squad) Nickname | Red Devils

Casemiro is suspended for Brazil due to an and Maraoune Fellaini accumulation of bookings. Fernandinho are pushing for starts after inspiring their is expected to deputise for the Real comeback win over Japan in the last round. Madrid . is struggling to have the Marcelo was not risked against Mex- same impact for Belgium under Roberto ico on Monday but is expected to re- Martinez in his current role but it remains place Filipe Luis at left-back here. to be seen whether he will change that ’ place in the starting against Brazil. XI is seriously underthreat and he One option would be to drop should really drop out of the team in to the bench favour of today. and play De Bruyne further Fagner struggled against Mexico but will forward, paving the way for keep his place in the team if Danilo fails to Mousa Dembele or Fellaini recover from injury in time. to start for the Red Devils. Philippe Coutinho, and Luis are will all one booking away from a one-match continue at the heart of Bel - ban. gium’s three-man defence after is back in full training returning to full fitness. but may have to settle for a place on the , , bench following Willian’s performance , and last time out. De Bruyne are one booking away from a one-match ban. POSSIBLE LINE-UPS ; Fagner, , Miranda, Filipe POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Luis/Marcelo; Fernandinho, Paulinho; Willian, ; Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Philippe Coutinho, Neymar; Gabriel Jesus Kompany, ; , Kevin De Bruyne, Nacer Chadli, Thomas Meunier; , ; Neymar and Paulinho

Gabriel Jesus

Romelu Lukaku Battle of the beasts Brazil seek to temper World Cup hopes of Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’

Reuters | Kazan, Russia en Generation’ has given the most It was hardly such smooth sailing in their four matches at the tourna- The Real Madrid man casual of analysts reason to feel smug for the Belgians, who suffered a huge ment, and a total of six from their past has been key to Brazil’s t a World Cup rocked repeatedly that, at least, they got one thing right scare in their last-gasp 3-2 win over 25. structure, so his like - by the fall of giants, Brazil and in their scenario Fridayplotting. July 6 Japan. Kazan Their win over Mexico showed ly replacement, the ABelgium have managed to hold The teams have progressed1800 GMT through But theirArena marauding finish, banging textbook defending from the central 33-year-old Fernandin- firm in the maelstrom and will meet in different means but each arrive with in three consecutive goals late in the pairing of Thiago Silva and Miranda, ho of City, a blockbuster quarter-final in Kazan confidence after rousing wins in their tie to erase a 2-0 deficit, was a sobering assisted by full backs Fagner and Fil- will have big shoes to today. lastBRAZIL starts. reminderBELGIUM of the firepower at Roberto ipe Luis. fill. Most pre-tournament modelling Inspired by Neymar brilliance and Martinez’s disposal. If there is one glimmer of hope for has been put through the shredder by the wiles of Willian, Brazil sent a tough AgainstEden Brazil, however, Belgium’s Belgium, it might be the suspen- Neymar Hazard the eliminations of traditional heavy- Mexico side packing Agedwith 26 a 2-0 defeat formidableAged 27 attack featuring captain sion of holding midfielder Case- weights like Germany and Spain. that cemented ’s side as favour- Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku may miro, who picked up his second However, the clash of the fancied ites to claim a record-extending sixth be hard pressed to break down a stingy yellow card during the Mexico South Americans and Belgium’s ‘Gold- World Cup trophy. OFdefence QUARTER-FINALISTS which has conceded one game. FIFA World Cup 2018 Factbox Brazil v Belgium Quarter-final, July 6 Kazan GOALS • Brazil are yet to hit their 14 HEAD-TO-HEAD 0 It will be a great stride going forward but 12 1 All-time 10 2 match. Both have looked solid and ex- meetings 8 3 WORLD CUP PERFORMANCEScored6 4 teams excel with a tremely difficult to beat 4 Brazil 3 Belgium 1 5 2 6 beautiful football. over their four matches. Conceded That will be put to the 2 FIFA ranking SHOTS GAME Belgium haveFIFA ranking great3 Coach 80 40 Coach 480 2 test when they face the Tite 70 Roberto players and a great RECORD 30 460 Martinez RECORD Captain 60 Draws 0 Brazil are superior to tournament’s topscorers Attempted 1.5coach as well. I’ve st Km covered*440 st TBC1 round 50 20 Captain 1 round us individually and today night. thousands always put them (captaincy 40 420Eden 1 • Belgium came dangerous- rotated) 1 1 Switzerland 10 Hazard 0.7 3 0 Panama they can also count Recent meetingsOn target 400 Completed passesin the group of ly close to a humilating Best finish FOULS Best finish on great collective 2002 Brazil 2-0 Belgium favourites [for the Winner 0 Costa Rica 70 Fourth 2 Tunisia round of 16 exit at the 2 40 5 organisation. I 1958, 62, 1988 Belgium 1-2 Brazil 60 place title]. It’s the same Eden Hazard hands of Japan on Mon- 70, 94, 2002 50 1986 ROAD TO QUARTER-FINAL50 now think we should not day night, coming from 2 0 Serbia Suffered 60 1 0 England D Switzerland 1-1 Match 1 W Panama40 3-0 underestimate the 2-0 down to win 3-2 cour- Group E 70 Group G BRAZILRoberto COACH TITE 30 Martinez tesy of a Nacer Chadli in- winnerCoach W Costa Rica Last2-0 16Match 2 W Tunisia 5-2Committedwinner Last 16 stress and nerves W Serbia 2-0 Match 3 W England 1-0 jury-time winner. Tite 2 0 Mexico 3 2 Japan (ESP) Coach such a match could (BRA) • Brazil will not let Belgium W Mexico 2-0 Last 16 W Japan 3-2 trigger. It could Player to watch Player to watch back in the game like Ja- WORLD CUP RECORD Champion Finalist Participant Did not qualify Neymar COMPETITION STATISTICS Kevin de Bruyne make the difference st pan, so it’s imperative 21 participation7 Goals scored 12 on Friday that Roberto Martinez’s 77 Total shots 77 BELGIUM’S VINCENT KOMPANY side improve before their 1930 1934 1938 291950 1954 1958Shots1962 on target1966 1970 1974301978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 mouthwatering clash with 2008 Passes completed 1904 the Selecao. 34 Corners 26 13ᵉ participation 55% Possession 55% Source: fede rations, FIFA *Total of all players

Kazan Designed Arena by same Capacity: group of 45,000 architects as new Source: FIFA Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS