Videos Live Scores Podcasts Opinion Interviews Business of Sport Inside Story Football Cricket Tennis Formula One Golf NBA UFC UAE Racquet Sports Fitness

Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are shining lights in our Belgium player ratings after Brazil win

Andy West

00:19 07/07/2018

Belgium beat World Cup favourites Brazil 2-1 on Friday to set up a semi-final against France in Saint Petersburg.

Here are the player ratings for the victors:

BELGIUM (4-3-3)

Thibaut Courtois – 9: Made several excellent saves, including a spectacular flying stop from Neymar in stoppage time which will be long remembered.

Toby Alderweireld – 7: Strong and solid in the heart of Belgium’s back line, always looking composed and controlled.

Vincent Kompany – 8: Great anticipation and organisation in the centre of defence, leading by example. Nearly scored with back-heel from corner.

Jan Vertonghen – 7: Full of commitment on the left of defence, snuffing out Willian. Struggled more with Costa after the break.

Thomas Meunier – 8: Shuttled between full-back and wing-back, doing a great job on Neymar and trying to support the attack.

Axel Witsel – 8: A tower of strength in midfield, positionally perfect and able to both win and distribute the ball superbly.

Marouane Fellaini – 8: Much-derided but he was outstanding in this game, using his physicality well but also showing sense and restraint.

Nacer Chadli – 7: Took the corner for the opener and worked very hard to keep the team’s shape. Replaced near the end.

Kevin De Bruyne – 9: His dribbling, pace and passing continually bothered Brazil, and he netted a brilliant goal which proved decisive.

Romelu Lukaku – 8: Operating from the right flank this was a superb performance, highlighted by a surging run to set up the second.

Eden Hazard – 9: Jinking and jiving, twisting and turning, and leaving the Brazilian defence with an interminable headache after a scintillating display.

SUBS

Thomas Vermaelen – N/A: Came on as an extra defender in the final ten minutes and did what he had to as Belgium held on.

Youri Tielemans – N/A: Replaced the exhausted Lukaku for the latter stages and hardly had a touch but kept positional discipline.

More from analysis

ONE Fight Night 22: Turkey’s Hilal Amir has sights set on ONE Championship Gold

From Morocco to Abu Dhabi: Zakaria El Jamari’s incredible martial arts journey

French-Algerian Anissa Meksen gets chance to be first to claim new ONE Championship gold

Adrian Lee’s ONE Championship debut confirmed as he looks to further family legacy

NBA 3X ABU DHABI an unparalleled success with legends LaMarcus Aldridge and James Worthy in attendance

ONE Friday Fights 59: French-Algerian looks to maintain KO momentum in headliner

Most Popular