Brazil vs Belgium: Battle of superstars in the quarter-finals

Brazil and Belgium will lock horns in a massive quarter-finals tie at the Kazan Arena on Friday evening, with the winner taking on France in the semi-finals.

The left side of the bracket has thrown up some tantalizing fixtures, and this is the latest installment that fans are being treated to this summer. The number of star players on display will certainly make this one not to miss for neutrals. On one side, there’s Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Dries Mertens, and Kevin De Bruyne. On the other, there’s Neymar, Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Marcelo, and Casemiro…the list goes on and on.

With players plying their trades in the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A – the three biggest leagues in Europe – on paper, this could be a real show-stopper. Belgium, however, come into this match knowing they need to step up their game. The Red Devils were not impressive against Japan, despite scoring three late goals, and Roberto Martinez could ring the changes for this must-win clash.

Brazil, by contrast, largely cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Mexico without really kicking it up a gear. Neymar and substitute Roberto Firmino’s efforts were enough to send Mexico packing and Firmino, who has had to settle for a spot on the bench, may have made a serious case for being involved in the starting XI at the expense of Gabriel Jesus. The Liverpool man needed less than three minutes to secure Brazil’s victory, whilst Gabriel Jesus has yet to open his account.

The Selecao will be missing Casemiro due to suspension, whilst Douglas Costa is a major doubt. Veteran defender Marcelo, who missed out on the game against Mexico, could potentially return for this crunch fixture.

The South Americans will also be well aware of their frustrating record against European sides. For the past three tournaments, the Selecao have been knocked out by a European side: France in 2006, the Netherlands in 2010, and infamously, Germany in 2014. On two of those occasions, they were dispatched at the quarter-finals stage. And now, Brazil, who is ranked no. 2, will be facing no. 3 ranked Belgium. Will they avoid a fourth straight defeat in the knockout rounds to a European side? Or will Belgium, who survived a major scare against Japan, march on to the semi-finals?