- Second quarter-final fixture takes place on 6 July in Kazan
- Belgium are the tournament's top goalscorers so far
- THE LATEST: #BRABEL LIVE BLOG
If asked before the kick-off of any FIFA World Cup™ to predict which team will score the most goals, many people would choose Brazil. After all, A Seleção are traditionally known for their flair for the spectacular, their thirst for goals and their 'Joga Bonito'. Yet, at Russia 2018, the South Americans' current total of seven goals puts them fifth in the scoring charts, five behind the top team, Belgium.
Indeed, the Red Devils' return of 12 goals for and just four against is almost more Brazilian-like. As it is though, Brazil's defensive marshal, Thiago Silva, has helped his side go 310 minutes without conceding, forming the meanest backline at these world finals, with just a solitary goal against so far. Only rarely have Brazil found the balance between controlled attacking and disciplined defending quite as well as they have so far in Russia.
By way of contrast, the Belgians have proven to be vulnerable at the back. Nevertheless, with players like Romelu Lukaku - who sits second in scoring at this World Cup with four goals - and Eden Hazard, they have also shown themselves to be capable of scoring or creating something at any given moment. It is not for nothing that they are labelled the country's golden generation.
Can they get the better of the five-time world champions in Kazan and move into the last four? Doing so would mean Belgium winning a fifth consecutive World Cup match, which would set a new national record. The first and only time the sides previously met at the global showpiece was in the last 16 in 2002 when goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldo earned victory for a Brazil team that would go on to lift the title. That is a result that current playmakers Neymar and Philippe Coutinho, who have each been directly involved in three goals already, would no doubt be more than happy to emulate.
Gallery: Belgium 3-2 Japan
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![Belgium players applauds fans after their victory over Japan]()
Belgium players applauds fans after their victory over Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Belgium players applauds fans after their victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Japan]()
Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Belgium v Japan: Nacer Chadli of Belgium celebrates after scoring]()
Belgium v Japan: Nacer Chadli of Belgium celebrates after scoring
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Nacer Chadli of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan players shows appreciation to the fans following their defeat against Belgium]()
Japan players shows appreciation to the fans following their defeat against Belgium
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Japan players shows appreciation to the fans following their sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima makes a save against Japan]()
Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima makes a save against Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Eiji Kawashima makes a save during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Jan Vertonghen of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mate Nacer Chadli against Japan]()
Jan Vertonghen of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mate Nacer Chadli against Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Jan Vertonghen of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mate Nacer Chadli during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Eden Hazard of Belgium controls the ball during the match against Japan]()
Eden Hazard of Belgium controls the ball during the match against Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Eden Hazard of Belgium controls the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates with team mates Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku after scoring his team's second goal against Japan]()
Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates with team mates Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku after scoring his team's second goal against Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates with team mates Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Marouane Fellaini of Belgium scores his team's second goal against Japan]()
Marouane Fellaini of Belgium scores his team's second goal against Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium scores his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Romelu Lukaku of Belgium is tackled by Makoto Hasebe (l) and Maya Yoshida (r) of Japan]()
Romelu Lukaku of Belgium is tackled by Makoto Hasebe (l) and Maya Yoshida (r) of Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium is tackled by Makoto Hasebe (l) and Maya Yoshida (r) of Japan during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Yannick Carrasco of Belgium challenge for the ball with Makoto Hasebe and Hiroki Sakai of Japan]()
Yannick Carrasco of Belgium challenge for the ball with Makoto Hasebe and Hiroki Sakai of Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Yannick Carrasco of Belgium challenge for the ball with Makoto Hasebe and Hiroki Sakai of Japan during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Gen Shoji of Japan runs with the ball away from Romelu Lukaku of Belgium]()
Gen Shoji of Japan runs with the ball away from Romelu Lukaku of Belgium
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Gen Shoji of Japan runs with the ball away from Romelu Lukaku of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Jan Vertonghen of Belgium is challenged by Hiroki Sakai of Japan]()
Jan Vertonghen of Belgium is challenged by Hiroki Sakai of Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Jan Vertonghen of Belgium is challenged by Hiroki Sakai of Japan during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Romelu Lukaku of Belgium speaks to his teammates prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan]()
Romelu Lukaku of Belgium speaks to his teammates prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium speaks to his teammates during a team huddle prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Romelu Lukaku of Belgium fails to connect with the ball in the box under pressure from Maya Yoshida of Japan]()
Romelu Lukaku of Belgium fails to connect with the ball in the box under pressure from Maya Yoshida of Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium fails to connect with the ball in the box under pressure from Maya Yoshida of Japan during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Axel Witsel of Belgium looks dejected after his side conceded against Japan]()
Axel Witsel of Belgium looks dejected after his side conceded against Japan
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Axel Witsel of Belgium looks dejected after his side concede during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Takashi Inui of Japan celebrates with team mates Makoto Hasebe and Gaku Shibasaki after scoring against Belgium]()
Takashi Inui of Japan celebrates with team mates Makoto Hasebe and Gaku Shibasaki after scoring against Belgium
02 Jul 2018
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Takashi Inui of Japan celebrates with team mates Makoto Hasebe and Gaku Shibasaki after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena on July 2, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Team Reporter Analysis
Giancarlo Giampietro with Brazil [Follow on: Twitter | Facebook]
This well-balanced Brazil side know they are in for a battle and are prepared for it. The absence of Casemiro is a big blow, but his replacement Fernandinho is likewise a complete midfielder, even if he is not as physically imposing and has a huge task ahead of him against Belgium. The Red Devils will have to contend with the in-form Neymar, who sparkled against Mexico and is arguably the best player remaining at the tournament.
Simon Massart with Belgium [Follow on: Twitter | Facebook]
The last match was a tough one and coach Roberto Martinez will likely have learned some lessons from his side's difficulties in that Round of 16 outing. Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, who both came on as substitutes in that game against Japan, could be in line for starts, which would necessitate some minor tactical adjustments. This quarter-final represents one of the last chances for Belgium to shine at the highest level, with the best team in the their history. It is worth noting that this will be the first time that Belgium face Brazil, truly believing they can win.
Did you know?
Since USA 1994, Brazil have always reached at least the quarter-finals of a World Cup. In 1994 and 2002, they were crowned champions, while they finished as runners-up in 1998.
Possible line-ups
Brazil: Alisson; Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis/Marcelo; Fernandinho, Paulinho; Willian, Philippe Coutinho, Neymar; Gabriel Jesus
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld; Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Nacer Chadli, Thomas Meunier; Marouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard; Romelu Lukaku
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