Player Ratings: Brazil 1-2 Belgium - Premier League trio shine for Red Devils

A closer look at the performances and explanation of the player ratings from Belgium’s thrilling 2-1 win over Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

Brazil - 7.08 

Alisson - 5.75 - The Brazil goalkeeper was not at fault for either goal and could not have done anything to prevent them going in. 

Fagner - 6.16 - It was a complete mismatch up against Eden Hazard. The right-back was pinned back by the Belgium captain and dominated, committing three fouls and picking up a yellow card. 

Miranda - 7.01 - Started the game strongly and was threatening from attacking corners, but eventually struggled to live with the pace and power of Romelu Lukaku. 

Thiago Silva - 6.52 - Missed a glaring chance to put Belgium ahead in the opening few minutes and never really recovered from that moment. 

Marcelo - 7.52 - Was certainly more effective than Fagner on the opposite flank, creating four goalscoring chances. Struggled defensively, however. 

Paulinho - 6.58 - Failed to make any impact on the game and missed a great chance to prod home a saved Douglas Costa effort.

Fernandinho - 6.33 - Deputising for the suspended Casemiro, Fernandinho couldn't have performed as badly as he did if he played that game another 100 times. He left huge gaps in the middle of the pitch and couldn't get to grips with Belgium's front three. The writing was on the wall when he scored an own goal to give Belgium the lead.

Philippe Coutinho - 7.60 - Tested Thibaut Courtois with good efforts from range and provided a delightful chipped assist for Brazil’s consolation goal. 

Willian - 5.94 - Offered no penetration down Brazil’s right hand side and was hooked at half-time for the second time in the tournament.

Gabriel Jesus - 6.23 - Missed a free header and did little to prove Tite’s faith right, although was unfortunate not to win a penalty in the second half  

Neymar - 7.34 - Created seven goalscoring opportunities but was relatively disappointing. Tried to con the referee into giving a penalty on two occasions and should have been booked for diving

Subs: Roberto Firmino (6.47), Renato Augusto (6.83), Douglas Costa (7.48)  

Belgium - 7.08 

Thibaut Courtois - 8.54 (man of the match) - The Belgium goalkeeper was equal to everything Brazil threw his way, including a stunning last-minute save to deny Neymar, and commanded his area with authority. No goalkeeper has made more saves in a single game at the 2018 World Cup than Courtois vs Brazil (9).

Thomas Meunier - 6.55 - Was not able to get forward as much as he likes but did well to keep Neymar quiet for most of the game. A costly booking rules him out of their next game.

Toby Alderweireld - 7.21 - Barely put a foot wrong in defence, making a game-high 10 clearances to relieve the pressure inside the Belgium box.

Vincent Kompany - 7.34 - His dart to the near post led to Belgium taking the lead but the Manchester City centre-back was fortunate not to concede a penalty on club team-mate Jesus in the second half.

Jan Vertonghen - 6.80 - Did not perform as well as his two other defensive partners and was beautifully nutmegged by Jesus before the Brazil striker was chopped down by Kompany in the penalty area.

Nader Chadli - 6.51 - Couldn’t last the full 90 minutes but did well in an unfamiliar position and should be rewarded with a start in the semi-finals.

Maraoune Fellaini - 7.34 - Brought into the team to release Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester United defender was a monster in midfield, shutting down everything, along with Axel Witsel, outside the Belgium penalty area.

Axel Witsel - 6.77 - Did just enough at the right times to alleviate the pressure in front of the Belgium defence, getting his body in the way to break down Brazilian attacks.

Kevin De Bruyne - 8.13 - Having played in a deeper role in previous games at the 2018 World Cup, De Bruyne was freed in an advanced position against Brazil and tore them to pieces at times. He benefitted from a monstrous Lukaku run to hammer home Belgium’s second goal of the game.

Eden Hazard - 8.29 - The Belgium captain was on another planet tonight, using his unbelievable close control and ability to turn defenders to run the likes of Fagner and Fernandinho ragged all night.

Romelu Lukaku - 6.68 - The 25-year-old was a beast from start to finish, proving too powerful and too quick for the Brazil defenders time after time. He was like a juggernaut, particularly for his part in Belgium’s second goal

Subs: Thomas Vermaelen (6.00), Youri Tielemans (5.94)