Belgium stun Brazil

KAZAN, Russia: Brazil’s run at the World Cup ended in stunned silence on Friday, as Belgium eliminated the five-time world champions, 2-1, in Kazan.

The win was as deserved as it was shocking: Brazil had been among the best teams left in a field that already had seen out pre-tournament favourites like Germany and past champions like Spain and Argentina.

Belgium took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute, when Brazil’s Fernandinho turned a corner kick into his own net. Brazil, which had had the better of play until the goal, seemed stunned by its first deficit of the tournament. But it soon got worse: Kevin de Bruyne buried a long shot through a group of Brazilian defenders in the 31st minute.

Shocked to be behind by a goal, Brazil seemed absolutely flummoxed to be down by two. Belgium’s physical play also knocked the Brazilians off their stride again and again. And when Brazil did find a way through, its shots either were blocked by scrambling Belgians or pushed away by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who had a strong game that included several diving saves and a last-minute leaping one to deny Neymar.

Brazil made the final minutes interesting when the substitute Renato Augusto converted a header in the 76th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1, but — pressed on by a pro-Brazil crowd — the Selecão never found the second they needed.

Brazil’s elimination, and the exit of Uruguay at the hands of France earlier in the day, guarantees the tournament will have a European champion. The France-Belgium winner will face the survivor of the side of the bracket that plays Saturday: Sweden vs. England, and then host Russia against Croatia.