Brazil didn't know what to do :De Bruyne

Brazil had no idea how to contend with Belgium's ferocity on the counter during the first half of the Red Devils' "really beautiful" 2-1 World Cup quarter-final win, according to Kevin De Bruyne.

Belgium went into half-time 2-0 up thanks to a Fernandinho own goal and De Bruyne's fierce strike, giving a Brazil side previously seen as World Cup favourites a mountain to climb.

Both goals came as the result of swift counter-attacks – De Bruyne's finish applied after a brilliant run and pass from Romelu Lukaku.

"I think we switched things up tactically," Man of the Match De Bruyne told reporters at the Kazan Arena.

"Romelu [Lukaku] and Eden [Hazard] changed position they tried to create many opportunities with Marcelo on the flank.

"I think in the first half we played very well, generated a lot of opportunities and they didn't really know what they had to do.

"In the second half they changed tactically and Brazil were better, but even then we managed to create opportunities."