World Cup quarter-finals: France defeats Uruguay, Belgium defeats Brazil

BRAZIL only had itself to blame when a catastrophic blunder against Belgium brought its World Cup campaign to an end.

Brazil’s Cup campaign is over.

• Belgium shocks Brazil
• ‘Complete catastrophe’ rocks Uruguay
• FIFA’s heartfelt offer

Live: World Cup 2018

France defeated Uruguay in the first World Cup quarter-final before Belgium defeated Brazil 2-1.

FRANCE found its groove at the perfect time as it toppled its second straight South American opponent.

The first World Cup quarter-final contest was a back and forth battle, but a howler from Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera handed France a 2-0 advantage it never relinquished. It means France advances to the semi-finals for the first time in 12 years.

In the second game of the night Belgium shocked Brazil 2-1 in yet another upset that will go down as one of the biggest wins in Belgian football history.

6am

Belgium shocks Brazil

It’s party time in Belgium.

The World Cup shocks keep coming as Belgium defeated Brazil 2-1 on Saturday morning (AEST) to advance to the semi-finals in Russia.

Two first half goals to the Belgians gave them enough of a buffer to progress as they withstood a furious Brazilian barrage in the second stanza to prove themselves as genuine title contenders.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez was full of praise for his troops, who overcame the South American giant for the first time since 1963.

“They were incredible, incredible heart out there,” Martinez said. “Sometimes you have to accept that Brazil has got this finesse, that quality that they’re going to break you down. They didn’t accept it.

“They didn’t think for one minute that they were going to give up, and this is something special.

“These boys deserve to be real special people back in Belgium. I hope that everyone in Belgium is very, very proud.”

Brazil only had itself to blame when it went down 1-0 after 14 minutes courtesy of an own goal from Fernandinho. He tried to clear a corner but missed his header completely and only succeeded in turning the ball back towards goal with his bicep, giving goalkeeper Alisson Becker no chance.

GOOOOOAAALLL! Own-goal by Fernandinho! 1-0 Belgium! #WorldCup #BRABEL pic.twitter.com/53LcSozOkv

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) July 6, 2018

The defender’s blunder was only the start of the crisis as Kevin de Bruyne heaped more misery on the football powerhouse. Romelu Lukaku received the ball in his own half and charged upfield on a fast break before passing wide to his right to an unmarked de Bruyne.

The winger then lasered a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner for a 2-0 lead. “What is going on here? Brazil in deep, deep trouble now,” the commentator said.

Kevin De Bruyne was on target.

Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois was heroic for his side all match, making a stunning save as he dived to stop Coutinho’s curling effort from long range late in the opening half.

Brazil went up a gear after the break as it tried desperately to keep its World Cup dream alive. Neymar had a penalty shout denied after an obvious dive but soon after the VAR was called upon to see if Belgian central defender Vincent Kompany had brought down Gabriel Jesus inside the area. Jesus went down and writhed on the ground in agony, but no foul was called.

As was the case all game, Belgium relied on counter-attacks for scoring opportunities as it spent much of the second stanza pegged inside its own half. Another break saw Eden Hazard with the ball with time and space out wide but his shot screamed past the far post.

Courtois made yet another brilliant one-handed stop with half an hour left to play when Douglas Costa tested him at his near post. The exact same scene played out 10 minutes later and once again Courtois’ right hand was the saviour.

It was heartbreak all around for Brazil.

Brazil kept turning the screws and its dominance was finally rewarded when Renato Augusto headed home an inch-perfect cross to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining.

Coutinho had a golden chance to level things up with less than 10 minutes to go when Neymar squared a pass to him inside the box. Coutinho opened his body up but his side-footed effort flew wide and high.

In the 90th minute Neymar once again cried foul over a tumble in the box but the referee waved him away.

The superstar had a last-ditch chance to square the ledger but, surprise surprise, it was Courtois to the rescue. The shot-stopper leapt up with an outstretched hand to tip Neymar’s curling effort over the bar with his fingertips in the fourth minute of stoppage time to seal the win for Belgium.

2am

‘Complete catastrophe’ strikes Uruguay

The game sealing goal came courtesy of a Fernando Muslera blunder.

France have continued their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over another South American opponent, this time in Uruguay.

In the first ever meeting between the two sides in the knockout stages, it was the Europeans who emerged victorious.

Without Edinson Cavani in their line-up, Uruguay had their backs against the wall from the outset. Cavani failed to overcome a calf injury sustained in the Round of 16 encounter against Portugal.

Despite the gaping hole up forward, the South Americans made all of the early running and had several chances but couldn’t capitalise.

A dour opening half finished with a flurry with the French side heading into the break holding the 1-0 advantage.

Uruguay midfield Rodrigo Bentancur delivered a sloppy challenge and Antoine Griezmann made him pay with a precise free kick.

Raphaël Varane got onto the end of Griezmann’s curving ball into the box and delivered a perfect header into the back of the net.

“The villain of the quarterfinal four years ago. He could be the hero for France this time,” SBS commentator Martin Tyler said.

GOOOOAAAALLLL! France score through Varane! 1-0! #WorldCup #URUFRA pic.twitter.com/WC2WATVpdh

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) July 6, 2018

Varane was slammed after not marking German defender Mats Hummels who scored the deciding goal in the 2014 quarterfinal clash.

Right before the halftime whistle Uruguay almost struck back with a header of their own, but Hugo Lloris produced a masterful save to keep them out.

The second half saw the momentum swing entirely behind France and they continued to push the ball deep into Uruguay’s defence.

Things then went from bad to worse for the South Americans with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s howler.

Griezmann found himself in plenty of space outside the box and he didn’t hesitate with a powerful strike.

The ball was hit right towards Muslera, but some late swing saw it move away and despite getting his hands to the ball it was batted straight up and over his head.

It found its way into the back of the net and handed France the decisive 2-0 advantage.

GOOOOAAAALLLL! 2-0 France! Griezmann scores, but Muslera should have done better #URUFRA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/kh88Mq1oQH

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) July 6, 2018

“Goodness me! He can’t believe it! Muslera, the most consistent goalkeeper in the tournament,” SBS commentator Martin Tyler said.

“A complete catastrophe, this goal must be cursed at this end of this stadium. You can do nothing about that.”

As the game dwindled down and the realisation their Cup campaign was coming to an end, the emotion began to overwhelm several Uruguay players.

José Giménez was seen wiping away tears as he stood in the wall awaiting a free kick attempt.

The win means France advance to the semi-finals with their opponent to come from Belgium and Brazil’s quarterfinal contest.

10.30pm

FIFA’s heartfelt offer

FIFA has sent a letter to the president of the Football Association of Thailand inviting the young soccer players and their coach trapped in a cave to the World Cup.

The letter, signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, also sends the best wishes of the organisation to the boys and their rescuers and says the invitation stands should they be rescued in time and are healthy enough to travel.

The letter says the team’s appearance at the final would “undoubtedly be a wonderful moment of communion and celebration.”

The boys have asked the navy SEALs taking care of them in the cave for details about what has happened in the World Cup.

— AP