BEIRUT: Brazil’s surprise defeat in the World Cup has stunned fans in the Lebanese capital Beirut, where football supporters have long put their hopes in the Latin American side.
“We are all Brazilian, we all love Brazil to death whatever happens,” said Ali, dressed in a skin-tight shirt, after seeing his heroes lose 2-1 to Belgium on Friday and crash out of the tournament in Russia.
The 24-year-old watched the match in the outskirts of Beirut, where Brazilian flags hang from buildings and shop windows are filled with life-size posters of players.
“A supporter who loves his team, it’s in victory but also in defeat,” said Ali, who works in deliveries for a multinational firm. Millions of Lebanese have emigrated to Brazil since the end of the 19th century – including the family of Brazilian President Michel Temer – ensuring enduring support when it comes to football. Haydar Baddar, 38, installed a projector on his doorstep, which attracted dozens of fans for the tie with Belgium.
Many in the male-majority crowd donned Brazil’s yellow jersey for the occasion, while families watched from their balconies as the sound of drums and vuvuzelas filled the narrow street.
“Here in our part of town we see Brazil, the neighbourhoods and the streets of Brazil, and it’s like our home,” said Baddar, a shop owner with a neatly trimmed black beard.
Pieces published earlier:
i) Belgium has beaten Brazil 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the World Cup where it will be facing France in Saint Petersburg. According to details, Belgium has beaten World Cup favorites Brazil 2-1 on Friday to set up a semi-final against France. A Fernandinho own goal in the 13th minute followed by a superb Kevin De Bruyne strike just after the half-hour put Belgium in the driving seat. Brazil pulled a goal back through Renato Augusto but it was too little, too late. Neymar had a late chance to equalize but Thibaut Courtois tipped over as Belgium clung on. A superb first-half display by Belgium ended Brazil’s hopes of a record sixth World Cup crown as a Fernandinho own goal and a superb Kevin De Bruyne strike proved enough to win 2-1 and seal a semi-final spot. Although Brazil roared back in the second half with a headed goal from Renato Augusto, it is the Belgians who will face France in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. Unbeaten in their last 15 games, Brazil’s bid for a second consecutive place in the semi-finals looked in safe hands. But after an energetic start that saw Thiago Silva come close and Neymar show early promise, Brazil heads went down following Fernandinho’s own goal before De Bruyne’s superb strike from distance put the Red Devils in control on 31 minutes. Late changes by Brazil coach Tite paid off as Renato Augusto’s superb header 14 minutes from time dragged the South Americans back into contention.
But as Belgian legs tired, Brazil spurned several great chances to push the match into extra-time, Augusto drilling inches wide and Coutinho skewing his effort off target from Neymar’s pass. Courtois produced a great save in the dying minutes, tipping over a curling drive from Neymar as the Belgians ensured they will make just their second visit to the last four, 32 years after their surge to semis in Mexico. Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said his side “deserve to be heroes” back home after downing five-time champions Brazil on Friday to set up a World Cup semi-final clash with France. The Red Devils tore Brazil apart on the counter-attack in the first half, before hanging on in the second to close out a famous 2-1 victory. “They did incredibly. There were amazing hearts out there. I didn’t think for one minute their hearts would give way,” said Martinez. “You have to accept that Brazil has so much quality and finesse, they break you down, but we did not accept it. Not for one minute were they (Belgium) going to give up. “These boys deserve to be heroes in Belgium. The execution of the tactics was magnificent. “It is special and we can’t let the people of Belgium down. We can pass that down the generations – beating Brazil.” Belgium will next face France in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday as they look to reach the final for the first time in their history. (Published on 7th July 2018)
ii) Neymar’s Brazil crashed out of the World Cup on Friday, failing to erase the pain of their humiliation on home soil four years ago as Belgium beat them 2-1 to set up a semi-final against France. The five-time champions came to Russia desperate to make amends for their stunning 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany in Belo Horizonte in 2014. But three of Belgium’s so-called golden generation — Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard – ran riot in the first half in Kazan and the Red Devils showed impressive resilience to hold on in the second period in the face of incessant pressure. “These boys deserve to be heroes in Belgium,” said coach Roberto Martinez. “The execution of the tactics was magnificent. “It is special and we can’t let the people of Belgium down. We can pass that down the generations — beating Brazil.” Coming into the match, Martinez acknowledged the gulf in World Cup pedigree between his side, who have never been further than the semi-finals, and their illustrious rivals. But after a bright start from Tite’s team, it was Belgium who looked the more dangerous, scoring through a Fernandinho own goal in the 13th minute and increasing their lead with a superb De Bruyne strike just after the half-hour. Tite threw on Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino for Willian at half-time and the famous yellow shirts poured forward in increasing desperation, only to find an impenetrable wall at the back.
