KAZAN, Russia – With seconds remaining, the ball came to Neymar in space, 20 yards out. Belgium led 2-1, but it was shot, its players exhausted, too drained by that stage to make even the vaguest effort at a counterattack. If the game had gone to extra time, there was only going to be one winner, and it was donning yellow and blue. Neymar, who had been involved only fitfully, picked his spot and unleashed a curler. Perhaps it could have been a fraction closer to the post, but as his shot arced goalwards, Thibaut Courtois, who had already made a string of fine saves, jumped up to his left, extended a long black-sleeved arm, and, with his long black-gloved fingers, flicked the ball over the bar.
Belgium's Golden Generation Shines Brightest in Ousting Brazil From World Cup
