Belgium eliminate Brazil with 2-1 victory to enter semis
Kazan (Russia), July 7: Potential dark horse Belgium eliminated five-time world champions Brazil with a 2-1 triumph here on Friday to book their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup only for the second time after a gap of 32 years.
Fernandinho's own goal in the 13th minute and Kevin De Bruyne's 31st-minute strike meant Belgium led 2-0 at the half-time. Renato Augusto (76th minute) revived Brazil's hopes but it was too late as Belgium set up a semi-final with 1998 World Cup winners France, the only pre-tournament favourites to be in the last four.
Roberto Martinez's Belgium orchestrated a counter-attacking game to near perfection as they caught Brazil, who were without their key defensive midfielder Casemiro, napping.
Belgium, who were 0-2 down to Japan in their pre-quarterfinal before winning 3-2, went up 2-0 against Brazil, who were boosted by the return of Marcelo.
Belgium replaced forward Dries Mertens with Nacer Chadli in order to make their more compact and instead they put attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne near the attackers, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.
Brazil, playing with a 4-3-3 formation, had a promising start and could have taken the lead in th early seventh minute when a corner from the left saw the ball jump out of Thiago Silva's thigh and kissed the left post.
After the clearance, Belgium raced off for a counter-attack, with De Bruyne teeing up Hazard on the edge of the Brazil box. Hazard's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Chadli's rebound shot went wide of the left post. This action gave a sign of how Belgium were approaching the game.
Another counter-attack led to a corner six minutes later. A corner, whipped by Belgium captain Hazard from the left flew into the Brazilian net off Fernandinho's right arm near the left post, catching Alisson out of position.
Later, Philippe Coutinho and Marcelo tested Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with long-range drives but the latter was alert, as Belgium, who played three central defenders in Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany and Toby Alderweireld dealt Brazilian moves with patience and calmness.
The European team doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Lukaku opened up a counter-attack following a corner. After Marouane Fellaini headed away Neymar's corner, Lukaku ran away down the middle of the pitch before rolling a pass right to De Bruyne, who launched a low screamer into the bottom left.
Brazil responded strongly after falling behind 0-2 and had their best chance of the first half six minutes later as Coutinho cut inside from the left, and sent a power curler towards the bottom right but it couldn't beat a diving Courtois.
After the change of ends, Brazil removed off-colour Willian and Gabriel Gesus and brought in attacking players Douglas Costa and Roberto Firmino to infuse more energy. The strategy, coupled with Belgium's thinking of defending the lead meant that the European was forced to defend for the most part of the second half.
Paulinho was not ready to stab home a rebound cross off Costa as Brazil continued their hunt for their opening goal.
Belgium showed that they can also calmly defend and when they opportunity came, they were not behind in launching counter-attacks. They came close to their third goal when Chadli galloped down the left before feeding Hazard, who entered the left-hand side of the box before firing a low shot past the far post in the 63rd minute.
At the other end, 10 minutes later, a flick from right winger Costa was palmed away by Courtois but Neymar grabbed the rebound and employed a drive. But the keeper rose up to keep away the danger.
Augusto then replaced Paulinho in the 73rd minute and three minute later he gave Brazil their opening goal. Coutinho, 30 yards out, down the inside-left channel, spotted Augusto with a looping cross and the substitute midfielder headed it past Courtois into the bottom right corner.
The Brazilian pair worked well a move four minutes later, when Coutinho slipped a pass down the middle of the box for Augusto, who sent a fierce low shot inches wide of the bottom left post.
Belgium now were determined to defend the one-goal lead and put out Lukaku and Chadli and brought in defender Thomas Vermaelen and young midfielder Youri Tielesman to keep the pressing Brazilians' away.
Brazil continued with their momentum and later in the injury time, a Neymar curler to the top right corner was tipped over by Courtois as Belgium hung on to their 2-1 lead.
With Brazil's defeat, the semi-finals will not feature a South American nation after a gap of 12 years as Saturday's quarter-finals match-ups are England vs Sweden and Croatia vs hosts Russia.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Adityanath govt has completely failed to maintain Taj Mahal, alleges Akhilesh
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".
Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.
In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."
Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."
He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.
"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level.
Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.
Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.
"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.
