World Cup 2018: 5 Reasons why Belgium made it to the Final 4

#2 Brazil missed Casemiro, and Fellaini showed them what they were missing

Fellaini

Real Madrid missed Casemiro every time he was unavailable last season, and he was a massive loss in the centre of the park for Brazil as well. Fernandinho came into the side in his place, and he just wasn’t as effective. For the second goal, Romelu Lukaku strolled through the Brazil midfield to set up Kevin de Bruyne to score. Fernandinho was nowhere to be seen. Would Casemiro have stopped it? He would certainly have done a better job.

In Belgium colours, it was Fellaini who was given the defensive responsibility in midfield. And much to the surprise of many, he put in a solid shift. He did an excellent job in shielding the back four and put in the sort of disciplined performance that Martinez would have dreamed of. He made the most of his physical advantage and controlled the midfield.