2018 World Cup: Brazil and Belgium to face off in quarterfinals

Brazil and Belgium have on Monday,progressed into the quarterfinals of the 2018 World cup, following their victories over Mexico and Japan respectively.

The first match played on Monday, Brazil defeated Mexico 2-0 thanks to goals from football's most expensive player Neymar Jr and substitute Roberto Firmino.

Both teams failed to find the net in the first half, due to the brilliance of Mexico's goalie Ochoa denying Neymar, Mexico spurning an early half chance and Brazil's attack spearheaded by Manchester City's forward Gabriel Jesus, lacking the finishing touch.

Neymar celebrates after putting Brazil 1-0 up in the last-16 match against Mexico

The second half was more productive as Neymar opened the scoring, six minutes into the half following a brilliant play by Willian.

Liverpool forward Firmino then wrapped up the game with a last-minute finish as the South American heavyweight advanced to their seventh straight World Cup quarter-final.

Roberto Firmino extends Brazil's lead in Samara

In the other game of the day, Belgium fought back from a 2 nil deficit to win the game 3-2 thanks to a brilliant added time counter attack which ended with Nacer Chadli putting the ball in the net beyond the reach of Japan's goalkeeper.

Two brilliant goals within four minutes from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui gave Japan a shock 2-0 lead in the second half after a goalless first half.

Takashi Inui celebrates doubling Japan's lead with a superb strike

Jan Vertonghen's looping header gave Belgium a lifeline to hang on to, a chance they utilised effectively with a trademark goal from substitute Marouane Fellaini's after Eden Hazard's cross into the opposition's box.

Chadli slides in to score the winner as Belgium beat Japan 3-2 on Monday

With the scores level, the game seemed destined for extra time but a swift counter attack by Roberto Martinez's Belgium side ensured they progressed ahead of Japan with the last kick of the game converted ruthlessly by Chadli.

Belgium will next face Brazil in the last eight on Friday at the Kazan Arena.






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