Brazil 1 Belgium 2

Another mouth-waterer in prospect. Belgium are unbeaten in 23 games, but they are playing an ever-improving Brazil. Which is often the key to winning the whole damn thing.

Six minutes before Pearce mentioned England - it’s a new record!

Thiago Silva kneed off the post, Chadli shot wide. Paulinho scuffed a chance. All in the first ten minutes.

Then, Belgium went ahead with a goal off Fernandinho’s shoulder following a corner. Pearce grumpy bacause the Belgian strikers celebrated. Dear God. Just imagine him if England go ahead with an own goal tomorrow.

Coutinho shot straight at Courtois. Belgium broke with Lukaku leading the charge, he laid it off to De Bruyne who finished superbly. Another spectacular Belgian breakaway goal. 2-0. Wow.

Courtois saved a deflected Marcello cross and a shot from the resultant corner. De Bruyne free-kick was pushed over by Allisson.

Gabby Yorath finally ran out of questions for Southgate so played word association with him. Dear God. It was a hard watch.

Firminho on at half-time. Marcello fizzed a low cross in, no takers. Neymar dived in the box, but not booked. Brazil penalty claim turned down after VAR review. Danny Murphy wonders if they saw the same replays he did. Have a wild guess Danny.

Brazil began to dominate, sub Douglas Costa had a close-in shot saved but Hazard shot narrowly wide after another break. Costa had another long-range effort easily saved as they seemed to be running out of ideas. But suddenly, another sub, Renato Augusto, glanced in a Coutinho cross and they had fifteen minutes to save the game.

Firminho shot just over the junction of bar and post. Augusto shot wide from a good position. Coutinho sliced wide after a great Neymar run. Neymar dives in the box again. Courtois brilliantly tipped over from Neymar (Gary Neville probably thinks he should have held it).

Some terrific performances from Belgians tonight, especially Lukaku, Hazard and De Bruyne, but no failures. Brazil had the possession but lacked flair, even from Neymar when he stayed on his feet. Thoroughly deserved.