World Cup 2018, Brazil vs Belgium Highlights: Brazil Knocked Out After 1-2 Loss To Belgium in Quarters

Belgium produced a brilliant performance to knock five-time winners Brazil out of the World Cup and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1986.

Roberto Martinez's side turned on the style in Kazan to clock up their fifth straight win of the tournament and ensure the semi-finals will be contested by four European sides for the first time since 2006.

Brazil had conceded just one goal in their past four games in Russia but were behind early when Nacer Chadli's corner struck Fernandinho's arm and flew into the net, the 10th own goal of this World Cup.

Fernandinho's Manchester City team-mate Kevin de Bruyne doubled Belgium's lead with a sublime arrowed finish from 20 yards after Romelu Lukaku's powerful run.

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In an entertaining and open game, Brazil hit the post when the match was goalless - Thiago Silva missing in front of a gaping net after Neymar's corner - before substitute Renato Augusto gave Brazil hope with a headed goal after Philippe Coutinho's delicious pass.

However, the South Americans became the latest heavyweight to depart the competition after holders Germany and other past winners Argentina, Spain and Uruguay.

'Golden generation answering critics in perfect way'

Belgium were commanding from the outset, taking the lead when Fernandinho scored an own goal before Kevin de Bruyne added a fantastic second from 25 yards.

"This result was huge," said Ferdinand. "They seem like they have a few leaders. This team were questioned for their mentality and character coming into this tournament - they disappointed at the Euros two years ago.

"This golden generation are answering their critics in the perfect way. The manner in which they dispatched Brazil, the way they started the game and bullied a very good team and then got over the line, shows they have got the bit between their teeth. They are the team to beat now."

Belgium will meet France in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while an all European final four will be made up of two from Sweden, England, Russia and Croatia.

Jurgen Klinsmann, a World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990, was similarly impressed: "It was a stunning performance. They hung in there and fought. You can see they have an amazing team spirit. They are very close - Roberto Martinez is doing an amazing job."

Managing egos: How Martinez turned Belgium around

Less than two years after being sacked as Everton boss, Spaniard Martinez will take Belgium into a World Cup semi-final with France - their first appearance in the last four since 1986.

They turned to him after going out in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 - the latter to Wales - with a very real danger that this golden generation would fail to deliver a trophy.

Now, they are unbeaten in 24 games since a defeat by Martinez's homeland in his first game in charge.

Ferdinand said: "That's being able to manage egos. Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku are all the main men at their clubs and they've had to be brought together. The manager has got them playing together and got them believing in a dream."

Ex-England captain Alan Shearer said: "The big question about Belgium was 'are you a team of individuals or can you come together as a team?' And he's gelled them together. That's got to come from the manager. There's a huge difference between where they are now and where they were two years ago."

Klinsmann, who managed Germany at the 2006 World Cup, said: "He formed this Belgium team in a way that they believe in it. They stick to the plan.

He changed tactics, the players bought into it and it seems everyone is on the same page. They have good chemistry. The quarter-final is the most important point of a World Cup - you either make it or break it."