FIFA World Cup 2018: Brazil face a mammoth encounter against Belgium after their victories in the Round of 16

Neymar lights up the World Cup stage

He scores one and creates Brazil's second

Brazil face a mammoth clash against Belguim tonight

Brazil Vs Mexico

Neymar 51'

Firmino 88'

Match Highlights

Brazil took a step closer on their Road to the Final of the FIFA World Cup as their star player Neymar scored once and created a brilliant second to end their South American rivals Mexico's campaign.

Brazil was undefeated so far in their WC campaign after topping Group E, whereas Mexico had finished runners-up in Group F, ahead of champions Germany.

This South American encounter began in favor of Mexico who dominated the first half, but Brazil sprung into life in the second-half. Neymar's clever backheel, presented Willian with space to run as he drove in a ball which was tucked home by Neymar to hand Brazil the advantage.

Thereon, it was all Brazil as a fierce attack once again led by Neymar saw him play the perfect pass behind the Mexican defense for substitute Roberto Firmino to tap-in Brazil's ticket into the quarter-finals.

Conclusion:

Brazil's recent performances have made them among the favorites to reach the finals and win the competition. Their next test is a fierce encounter against another side who are favorites to win the competition; Belguim who earned a dramatic qualification spot by beating Japan.

One of their influential midfielder Casemiro will be suspended for that game but they have an equally good replacement in Fernandinho, who hands down was the best holding midfielder in the Premier League last season.

Mexican fans will be immensely proud of the performance and heart their players showed this campaign. Even though they are leaving at the same stage they have been exiting since 1994, that victory over current and soon to be former champions Germany will live in the hearts of every Mexican player and fan for a very long time. 

Belgium break Japanese hearts with a comeback win

Chadli completes the comeback with the last kick of the ball

The Red Devils come from 2-goals down

They now await a huge clash against Brazil

Belgium Vs Japan

Vertonghen 69'

Fellaini 74'

Chadli 90+4'

Haraguchi 48'

Inui 52'

Match Highlights

Belgium inspired a remarkable comeback, coming from 2 goals down to beat Japan 3-2, virtually with the last kick of the ball and progress into the quarterfinals.

Belgium was heading into this fixture as among the three teams to win all their group games and finish top of their respective groups. They are also the team to score the highest goals in the competition. Japan made history by becoming the first ever nation to progress to the knockout stages on fair play.

With no goals in the first half, Japan who started as the "underdogs" took a shocking lead after Jan Vertonghen's defensive misjudgment put Genki Haraguchi in on goal and strike Japan's first of the night.

Japan knew that they needed another goal to have any hope of progressing and so they started gathering possession and began attacking the Belgium goal, which ultimately resulted to Takechi Inui striking a long distance shot worthy enough to double Japan's advantage.

The wonder strike by Inui

With his side trailing 2-0, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez made two telling substitutions by bringing on Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli in the 65th minute.

The Japanese defense was perhaps not the strongest among all the other teams who had progressed as they failed to clear their lines and Vertonghen, making up for his error struck a header from a near-impossible angle, curling past the Japanese keeper.

Belgium completed their comeback in the 74th minute after Eden Hazard put in a delicious cross for substitute Fellaini to head in the equalizer.

Chadli Goal

The game looked set to be heading into extra time, but Japan received a corner in the 94th stoppage time minute for which they had committed their men ahead. The forthcoming was devasting for any Japanese fan as Courtois launched the early counter-attack which was completed by the other substitute Chadli as Belgium went on to clinch a memorable victory.