Nine things we loved on day 23: De Bruyne, Zlatan, Beckham & more

Planet Football • 07 Jul 2018

France and Belgium made it through the first two World Cup quarter finals at the expense of Uruguay and Brazil.

Roberto Martinez’s side looked excellent in their victory over the Brazilian side, while France’s victory over Uruguay was significantly helped by a goalkeeping howler.

We’ve rounded up the best of the action from the first quarter final day, as tensions also built ahead of England’s huge match against Sweden.

Thibaut Courtois

He’s talked a lot throughout this World Cup, but Courtois put his words into action with this spectacular save late in Belgium’s 2-1 win over Brazil.

Kevin De Bruyne

And this is an equally brilliant goal.

Belgium

That win now means Belgium are 24 matches unbeaten, and have scored 78 goals in the process.

Roberto Martínez lost his first game in charge of Belgium…and never looked back. #BEL pic.twitter.com/eUkuCLRarv

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 6, 2018

Stat

For the first time ever, none of Germany, Argentina or Brazil will line up in the semi-finals at a World Cup.

There will be no Germany, Argentina or Brazil in the semi-finals for the first time in #WorldCup history 😳 pic.twitter.com/ZqDIDMWvnf

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 6, 2018

European stronghold

And for the fifth time ever, it’s all European sides in the semis.

Only the fifth time that all semi-finalists at the world cup are European. 1934; 1966; 1982; 2006 and 2018. All five hosted by European countries.

— Sam Freedman (@Samfr) July 6, 2018

Pepe Reina

The former Liverpool goalkeeper was not happy after seeing Antoine Griezmann’s shot sneak past Fernando Muslera, saying in this tweet “for us goalkeepers, it would be easier to ‘guess’ the trajectory”.

Vamos a seguir “inventando” balones si si…q a los porteros nos va a parecer cada vez más fácil “intuir o adivinar” las trayectorias 😕😒 “espectáculo” se busca de otro modo!!

— Pepe Reina (@PReina25) July 6, 2018

Fist bumps

No more shaking hands for the England team, who have been banned from doing so on medical advice. Fist bumps look cooler anyway.

Exclusive: #ENG manager Gareth Southgate, his players & team staff are greeting everyone with fist bumps, instead of shaking hands – as part of medical instructions for the #WorldCup. Story @iPaperSport: https://t.co/Kx2od6JttG

— Sam Cunningham (@samcunningham) July 6, 2018