2018 FIFA World Cup: Brazil and Belgium Proceed to the Quarterfinals after Beating Mexico and Japan

On July 2, Brazil and Belgium secured their places in the quarterfinals after beating Mexico and Japan. Thus, the two winning teams will meet and struggle for a place in the semifinals. The game will take place at the Kazan Arena on July 6.

Brazil earned a victory over Mexico with the score 2:0. In the first period, no goals were scored. On the 51^st minute, Neymar opened the score, assisted by Willian. On the 88^th minute, Roberto Firmino marked the second goal of Brazil.

The main star of the Brazilian team, Neymar, was voted as Man of the Match. Edson Alvarez, Filipe Luis, Hector Herrera, Casemiro, Carlos Salcedo and Andres Guardado received yellow cards.

The match between Belgium and Japan ended with the score 3:2. With no goals in the first period, the second period was rich in goals. On the 48^th minute, Genki Haraguchi scored the first goal of Japan in the game, assisted by Gaku Shibasaki. On the 52^nd minute, Takashi Inui doubled the Japanese fans’ joy after an assist from Shinji Kagawa.

Belgium answered on the 69^th minute by a header of Jan Vertonghen. On the 74^th minute, Marouane Fellaini headed another goal, assisted by Eden Hazard. On the 90+4 minute, when everyone was already waiting for extra time, Nacer Chadli scored the decisive goal of Belgium and brought a victory to his team after an assist from Thomas Meunier.

Though Eden Hazard scored no goals, he was called Man of the Match for his key role in the team’s victory. Gaku Shibasaki received a yellow card.