Wilmots is the key man for Belgium (Allsport).

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Oita

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Stress-free Belgium have already made their critics eat their words and now they are ready to produce another major shock at a World Cup which has so far been full of surprises.

Reigning champions France, pre-tournament favourites Argentina and the flamboyantly-gifted Portuguese were all sent packing from the group stages as the expected form book was turned on its head.

Now Belgium have the chance to add to the list of high-profile casualties when they face the brilliant Brazilians in Kobe on Monday for a second-round match in which they start as huge underdogs.

Brazil waltzed through their easy group, winning all three matches and scoring 11 goals in the process to become the new favourites to lift what would be their fifth World Cup.

Belgium, though, are not without hope for they finished a tricky qualifying group unbeaten, ultimately ending with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Russia when at one stage they were just 12 minutes away from packing their bags.

Coach Robert Waseige's side have exceeded all hopes for their own supporters, and their own media in particular, did not expect them to go through.

Although this is the fifth time in the last six tournaments Belgium have qualified for the last 16, they have progressed beyond that stage just once, that in 1986 when they finished fourth.

But a quarter-final clash against England in Shizuoka on Friday is not beyond them as Derby striker Branko Strupar said: "Nobody expected us to go through to the second round, so that's why we have to be proud of ourselves.

"Brazil are obviously huge favourites for the game, but once you reach the last 16 in a tournament, you never know what can happen.

"I am an optimist and I think we can do something. We can surprise even a team like Brazil. Over 90 minutes, anything is possible."

Midfielder Yves Vanderhaeghe reckons Belgium can return home with their heads held high even if they do lose to Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

But then he is also warning Brazil, a team they have never met before at the World Cup, not to underestimate Belgium's fighting qualities - as Russia can testify.

"Against Russia we had 11 fighters out on the pitch, and more if you think of those who came on as substitutes," said Vanderhaeghe.

"Despite all the criticism we took which caused us a lot of stress and was a huge headache, against Russia we were relaxed and we showed we are a good team.

"In reaching the second round I think we can say our tournament is already a success, and now it will be an honour to play Brazil.

"We have a little bit of hope. If we play like we did against Russia, where every player gives 100 percent, then maybe we have a chance."

Key to those Belgian hopes will be skipper Marc Wilmots, who scored in each group match and looks anything but a player who will be quitting international football at the end of the competition.

Belgium will again rely on their attacking midfielder as Strupar added: "Marc is a tremendously inspirational captain for the team, as you can see by the fact he has scored three goals in three games.

"Everyone knows he is going to finish at international level after the World Cup, but he is still playing like he is a young man, which is fantastic."