Do or die for Brazil against Serbia

The Belgium defender Thomas Meunier praised his team’s defending against Brazil and also said that he expected a better show from the Selecao star man Neymar while defending against him during the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Brazil in their quarter-final match of the World Cup 2018.

Brazil went 2-0 down in a game where they were considered to be the favourites, courtesy of an own goal by Fernandinho followed by a typical Kevin De Bruyne strike from outside the box just at the half-hour mark in the game. Brazil pulled one back through Renato Augusto’s header in the 76th minute of the game but Roberto Martinez’s men held on to the 2-1 lead as the Red Devils moved into a first World Cup semi-final since 1986.

According to a report from Goal.com, Meunier, playing at right wing-back and directly opposed to Neymar, praised his team's defending and said he was surprised not to be tested more by his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate.

“I didn’t expect that, I expected more difficulties, but we were so organised collectively,” Meunier said after the win.

“I always had help from Marouane Fellaini, from Toby Alderweireld. We were really focused on him, on [Philippe] Coutinho, on Marcelo, and we did a really wonderful job. I think we can congratulate ourselves for the job that we did defensively.

“Even offensively I got really frustrated because I didn't touch the ball. I made a lot of sacrifices for the team and I am happy that we won because of that.” Meunier concluded.

Belgium will now face France in their semi-final tie and according to the Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, Les Bleus will be harder to defeat as they are a more complete team than Brazil.

“I think France are a bit more complete than Brazil are,” Vertonghen said.

“I think it will be harder to break them down.” Vertonghen concluded.

The semi-final match between Belgium and France will take place July 10 at the St Petersburg stadium.  

Russia will look to continue the winning tradition of host nations at the World Cup when it takes on Croatia in a quarter-final matchup at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi today. The Russians pulled off a stunning upset of heavily favored Spain to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970. However, they face a Croatian side that has gone undefeated at the 2018 FIFA World Cup while allowing just two goals. The match is scheduled to start at 12:00 am in Bangladesh time. Here we look at some of the statistics ahead of the game.

Head-to-head

1) The two previous competitive meetings, in qualifying for Euro 2008, both ended 0-0.

2) The only other encounter was a friendly match in November 2015 which saw the Croats win 3-1 in Rostov-on-Don. The Russians led at half-time through Fedor Smolov's goal but second-half strikes from Nikola Kalinic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mario Mandzukic won it for the visitors.

Russia

1) The last five host nations to feature in a World Cup quarter-final have all progressed to the semi-final (Italy in 1990, France in 1998, South Korea in 2002, Germany in 2006 and Brazil in 2014).

2) Mexico were the last tournament hosts to bow out at this stage, losing on penalties to West Germany in 1986.

3) This is Russia's first World Cup quarter-final since reaching this stage at four consecutive tournaments between 1958 and 1970 whilst competing as the Soviet Union.

4) Excluding penalty shootouts, Russia are winless in their last five World Cup knock-out games (D1, L4), with their last victory a 2-1 win against Hungary in the quarter-finals of the 1966 tournament, which is the only previous occasion they have reached the semi-finals.

5) Again excluding shoot-outs, Russia are winless in their last seven World Cup games against European sides (D2, L5), with their last victory coming in 1986 (also against Hungary).

6) After having 10 shots on target in their first two games, Russia have managed two in their subsequent two matches (one versus Uruguay and one against Spain).

7) Russia have conceded two own goals at this World Cup - Bulgaria in 1966 are the only other side to score two at the same tournament.

Croatia

1) The Croats' only previous World Cup quarter-final was their 3-0 win against Germany at France '98.

2) That victory is also the last time they have won a knockout match at a major tournament without the aid of a penalty shoot-out.

3) Croatia have scored in their last eight World Cup games, netting 16 goals in total.

4) Of their last 12 World Cup goals, 10 have come after half-time.

5) The Croats have lost their two previous World Cup games against host nations, losing 2-1 to France in the semi-finals in 1998 and 3-1 to Brazil in the group stage in 2014.

Ivan Rakitic scored the winning penalty as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 in a shoot-out after a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday to end the World Cup hopes of the host nation and advance to a semi-final against England.

Brazilian-born Mario Fernandes had kept Russia's dream alive when he headed home in the 115th minute to level the scores and force penalties, but he and Fedor Smolov both failed to convert their spot-kicks in Sochi.

Croatia, for whom Andrej Kramaric and Domagoj Vida had earlier found the net, advance to their first World Cup semi-final since 1998. They will face England, who beat Sweden 2-0 earlier, at the Luzhniki Stadium Moscow on Wednesday.

In contrast for Russia, who had taken the lead through another Denis Cheryshev wonder goal in the first half, there is only heartbreak as they finally go out.

The Russians, riding a wave of euphoria after unexpectedly knocking out Spain in the previous round, were determined to carry on to a first World Cup semi-final since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

But Croatia came into this game as the favourites. They may have a population of little over four million, but amongst that number are two of the finest midfielders in the world in Rakitic and Luka Modric.

They dominated the match, but Russia contributed to another fantastic occasion in what has been an outstanding World Cup.

The hosts went ahead thanks to a bolt from the blue just after the half-hour mark.

Cheryshev, who scored three times in the group-stage wins over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, was back in the line-up here after beginning on the bench against Spain last weekend.

He cut in from the left, exchanged passes with Artem Dzyuba and skipped away from a Modric challenge before firing home a superb shot from 25 yards on his left foot.

Croatia were stunned. But the Russian lead had lasted only eight minutes before they drew level, Mario Mandzukic cutting the ball back for Kramaric to head home.

Ivan Perisic hit the post for Croatia in a second half they controlled, yet they had to limp on into extra-time, with goalkeeper Danijel Subasic providing a scare as he hurt a hamstring late on.

However, Croatia took the lead for the first time in the 101st minute, defender Vida getting his head to a corner to send the ball low into the net, helped by substitute Vedran Corluka getting out of the way.

Vida removed his shirt as he ran away in celebration, possibly thinking Croatia were heading through.

However, Russia found the resources to draw level again, substitute Alan Dzagoev holding up a free-kick for Fernandes to head home in the 115th minute.

His shoot-out miss proved pivotal, however, especially after Smolov's weak attempt at a chipped penalty was saved by Subasic.

For Croatia, Mateo Kovacic had his penalty saved, but Marcelo Brozovic, Modric and Vida all netted theirs before Rakitic stroked in the winner.

Earlier in the day, Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored as England comfortably defeated Sweden 2-0 in Samara to reach the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990.

Leicester defender Maguire headed in the opening goal from a corner on 30 minutes, with Alli adding a second just before the hour.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford then produced a series of crucial saves in the final half-hour to seal England's long-awaited spot in the last four.

Four years ago, Brazil were hit by a tragedy bigger than a tsunami. A 7-1 thrashing by Germany was beyond the wildest imagination of the proud football nation.

Maracanzo was previously the lone tragedy that Brazil ever experienced, when Uruguay denied their first World Cup in the last 15 minutes of the game to clinch a 2-1 victory from 1-0 down at the famous Maracana stadium in 1950. Since then Brazil went on to win five WorldCups, more than any other country.

Brazil were never humiliated like they were on July 8 in the 2014 semifinal. In front of a home crowd, it felt like a brutal public flogging -- a wound so deep that many pundits thought it would take at least a decade to heal.

Some famous football critics even saw the end of Brazilian era in world football. Brazil even vindicated that prediction by sinking further into the abyss after replacing Felipe Scolari with Carlos Dunga.

From number six in the rankings, Brazil are back to number one again. When countries like Italy failed to get a World Cup ticket, Brazil became the first country to qualify for the Russian fiesta. When hot favourites Germany, Spain and Argentina got dumped out of the World Cup, Brazil looked solid and like champions.

The Selecao's recovery is almost like the rise of the mythical phoenix from the ashes. So, was the Brazilian renaissance almost natural? Far from it. The Brazilian football federation played practically no role in it. The federation hit its lowest ebb as three of its bosses had to step down upon corruption charges.

Brazil were lucky to make an all-important recruitment. Brazil are born again and have become a force to reckon with mainly because of one man. He is Tite, The Coach.

The biggest challenge of the Brazilian coach was to fulfil the typical expectation of spectators. Winning is not enough. It has to come in 'Braziliance', through beautiful football. Under Tite, Brazil are playing 'Brazilliance' brand.

Fondly called Professor by his charges, Tite inspired his team to win 19 of 21 matches before the World Cup.

"Tite is a great coach, one of the best in the world. He just doesn't have the status of [Manchester City coach Pep] Guardiola and [Manchester United coach Jose] Mourinho because he's not in Europe. But he's as good as these guys."

Quotes like this from players and critics are common these days.

The secrets of Tite are planning, confidence and motivation. He is very dedicated and has an incredible ability to explain his ideas and explore the best of every player.

The first thing Tite did was institute the rule that there would be no permanent captain for Brazil. The armband is being rotated among players since he took over. The next remarkable step is less dependency on superstar Neymar.

Scolari went into Mission Hexa, the sixth World Cup for Brazil, purely depending on Neymar, who was then 21 years old. But Tite built a squad of several winners, of which Neymar is one. Interestingly, Tite is yet to offer the world's most expensive player the coveted armband. Neymar has to work harder to earn it.

Tite made his team more attacking, but with beefed up defence. Brazil have only conceded six goals in 24 matches with Tite in charge. Conceding seven goals in one game seems to be a thing of the past.

Tite is least interested about the favourites' tag or the No. 1 ranking.

“I care so little about it!” is Tite's reply for journalists. All he wants is hard work from his team. Because, he reminds his charges, talent doesn't win matches.

When Brazil take on Belgium in the make-or-break match tonight, any one of Philippe Coutinho, Paulinho, Gabriel Jesus, Willian, Douglas Costa or Firmino can seize the limelight from Neymar. Any of the players can score or become player of the day.

I believe Brazil will win. And, if it is a victory, the real winner will not be playing in the field but watching the game from the dugout!

The writer is former Sports Editor of The Daily Star

Croatia captain Luka Modric beat competition from the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Eden Hazard to win the golden ball as the best player in the World Cup even as his side lost the final of the showpiece event 4-2 against France.

Modric scored two goals in the group stage and converted both of his attempts in penalty shootouts to help Croatia reach the final. Belgium talisman and captain Hazard, who had been in blazing form throughout this campaign, scoring three goals, was awarded the silver ball while French forward Antoine Griezmann was handed the bronze ball.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was given the golden glove award for his three clean-sheets, conceeding six goals in seven matches with some excellent saves against Brazil being his showcase performance.

Rain poured down in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow as Modic embraced Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic after being given the award by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Russia President Vladimir Putin.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said: “He played a terrific tournament which is another commendation for the team which helped to bring about Luka's success. He did the lion share of our play and he was a deserved winner of the Golden Ball.”

Croatia had shown great fight in the first half before a Griezmann penalty handed France the lead again in the second half before they added two more goals.

France's 19-year-old star Kylian Mbappe was named the tournament's Best Young Player after scoring Les Bleus' fourth goal on Sunday, becoming the youngest since Pele in 1958 to find the net in the final.

England captain Harry Kane was confirmed as the Golden Boot winner, his six goals outpacing the four of Griezmann while Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku was named the Bronze boot winner.

While Mbappe, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Russia’s Denis Cheryshev also scored four goals in the competition, but Griezmann bagged two assists while Lukaku had one, which decided their higher ranking in the top-scorers’ list.