Brazil Forward Firmino Says Elimination From World Cup ‘Huge Blow’ for Team

Neymar’s second World Cup will be remembered for his diving, rather than his performances on the pitch.

Manchester City star De Bruyne is yet to score at the World Cup but played a key part in Belgium’s last-gasp victor against Japan in the round of 16, the Red Devils coming from two goals down to win 3-2. Football’s full of it – there are even YouTube compilations dedicated to the World Cup’s Best Ever Flopping. We’ve won all our games, everyone has played and we’ve scored 12 times.

The criticism comes after Tite failed to replace Fred in the final 23-man squad as he had up until 24 hours prior to Brazil’s first appearance in the tournament to make a change, a game which came ten days following the United man’s injury.

Everyone knew about the array of talent running through the Belgium side, from Thibaut Courtois in goal to Kevin De Bruyne in midfield and Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku up front.

The Paris Saint-Germain star left Russian Federation having scored two goals in five games as Brazil failed to play their best football, despite topping Group E without losing a match and then beating Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16.

Asked what he would do if Neymar repeated his much-criticised theatrics from Monday’s Round of 16 win over Mexico, where he rolled around in apparent agony on the field after clashes with the opposition, Kompany said: “I don’t know”.

“But it’s a dream match for our players, they were born to play in a match like this”.

Here’s the unofficial count for Brazil’s quarter-final match against Belgium.

“We know what we are capable of but Brazil are the favourites, putting us into a different role”, he added.

“Everything is open, up for grabs”, he said.

Belgium, meanwhile, are the tournament’s top scorers, banging in 12 goals in their four games so far.

During Brazil’s shock exit against Belgium, 1-2, Neymar feigned an injury only to be told by referee Milorad Mažić – probably not in these words – “mate, get up”.