Mean Brazil rearguard meets unstoppable Belgium attack

Brazil boast the joint-best defence at the World Cup, having let in just one goal so far. But Belgium have scored 12, more than any other team, with the sides set to meet in Kazan for a place in the semi-finals. Although Brazil have been long renowned as purveyors of the beautiful game, in recent years they have been more concerned with defence than attack.
While coach Tite does not have the Selecao playing the dour football seen under Dunga, Brazil's current game is based on brick foundations. They have let in just one goal so far at the World Cup, fewer than any other side apart from Uruguay. The crushing 7-1 defeat by Germany in the 2014 semi-final on home soil stung so badly that it is no surprise Tite got to work on fixing the defence after taking over in 2016.
But free-scoring Belgium will give Brazil's back line a thorough test when the teams meet in Kazan on Friday in an intriguing World Cup quarter-final clash, which pits the best attack against the joint-best defence. Roberto Martinez's side have hit 12 goals in Russia, more than any other side, and became the first team to come from two goals down in a knock-out match to win for 48 years as they beat Japan 3-2 on Monday.
A blow for Brazil is Casemiro's absence, with the Real Madrid anchorman suspended and likely to be replaced by Manchester City's Fernandinho. At the core of the defence Thiago Silva and Miranda have formed an impressive partnership and, perhaps due more to chance than judgement, Fagner and Filipe Luis complete a solid unit. Dani Alves, Danilo and Marcelo picked up injuries before or during the tournament, with all three full-backs more offensively minded than their replacements.
Brazil have conceded just five shots on target in their four matches thus far, fewer than any other side in the tournament, by utilizing a zonal defensive strategy. "We mark the sectors," said Tite. "We don't mark individually. You don't run around and mark [a player]. We aggressively mark each sector of the pitch, that is why we block so many shots and so many crosses." In Brazil's 2-0 last-16 win over Mexico they did not dominate the game but surrendered few clear chances, to the frustration of the Central Americans.
Then, with the part at the back sorted out, it was up to star player Neymar to cause havoc in attack and the Paris St. Germain forward did just that, scoring one and setting up another. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo out of the picture after Argentina and Portugal's eliminations, Brazil have in Neymar arguably the best player left at the World Cup. Although the winger has drawn criticism for play-acting, his attacking impact is undoubted now he appears fully fit. His form, and an extremely durable defence behind him, make Brazil favourites to lift the World Cup for a record sixth time.
"There is no margin for error. If we give Brazil a chance, they will take it," Martinez told reporters Wednesday. "I think it will be the match of the tournament. "We know what we are capable of but Brazil are the favourites. But it's a dream match for our players, they were born to play in a game like this." Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku et al are part of Belgium's golden generation and this is their best chance to bring their country success. If they can unpick Brazil's defence and reach the semi-final then this may indeed be their time.