Simons fights to shrug Rivaldo off the ball (Allsport)

By James Dart, Sportinglife.com

Final score: Brazil 2 Belgium 0

Man-of-the-match: It has to be Marc Wilmots, the Belgian skipper, who really deserved to finish on the winning side. He worked tirelessly throughout and was denied a goal by two excellent Marcos saves, and that questionable first-half header that was chalked off.

90 mins: The end of the game and Brazil are through to a mouthwatering encounter with England. Shizuoka will be rocking on Friday afternoon (0730 BST) when the two meet. 2-0 has been tough on Belgium and England will be able to have taken a lot of encouragement from the failings of Brazil's performance.

90 mins: Rivaldo is replaced by Ronaldinho and there will be two minutes of added-time.

89 mins: Belgium are deflated and Brazil are patiently playing the ball around now as the clock runs down.

88 mins: The scoreline clearly flatters the Brazilians, but Belgium have paid the price for not taking their chances.

87 mins: GOAL RONALDO - That's it now and Brazil will meet England in a repeat of the 1970 quarter-finals. Kleberson is released into acres of space down the right flank and his measured low cross is fired home by Ronaldo from 12 yards out through the legs of de Vlieger.

86 mins: Brazil look very dangerous on the break as Belgium continue to commit men forward.

85 mins: Cafu is released down the right by a delightful ball played with a flick of Gilberto Silva's right boot. His pull-back towards Ronaldo is well-intercepted by Van Buyten, who has defended well against the Inter Milan hitman.

84 mins: Corner to Belgium as Sonck and Goor get in each other's way to hit a shot that is deflected wide. Wilmots' flag-kick is cleated and Brazil break with pace. Simons does well to delay Rivaldo, though, and the danger is covered.

83 mins: Rivaldo attempts to thread a pass through to Ronaldo, but the former's ball is weak and is intercepted by Van Buyten.

82 mins: A little steam has gone out of Belgium's push for a leveller. They will need to raise themselves for one more surge.

81 mins: Scolari opts to make a change to bolster their back-line and Ronaldinho makes way with Kleberson, a far more defensively-minded player, coming on.

80 mins: Belgium continue to dominate in their search for an equaliser. Marcos again has to get down low to save a shot from Sonck.

79 mins: The ball comes in from Wilmots, but it is headed behind by Lucio. Wilmots again centres and Verheyen meets the dropping ball, only to be leaning back as he strikes it well over.

78 mins: Wilmots drops deep to collect the ball in space. He feeds Walem out on the left, whose cross is deflected behind by Cafu.

77 mins: Substitute Sonck does well to turn outside the Brazilian area, before curling a right-footed shot just wide of Marcos' left-hand post.

76 mins: Rivaldo sends his corner deep to Ronaldinho at the far post, but his acrobatic volley fails to hit the target as it goes out for a goal-kick.

75 mins: Corner to Brazil after handy work from Ronaldinho out on the right.

74 mins: Another chance for Belgium as Goor makes a great run in a bid to get behind the Brazil defence to meet Mpenza's cross, but with Goor has one eye on the goalkeeper and misses his attempt to connect with the ball.

73 mins: Belgium do indeed bring Sonck onto the field, with right-back Peeters sacrificed to make way for the Belgian league's leading scorer.

72 mins: Vanderhaeghe feeds Mpenza on the right of the Brazilian penalty area, but he fires well over the bar with Wilmots waiting inside.

71 mins: It will be interesting now to see how long Waseige waits before bringing Sonck on from the bench.

70 mins: Denilson and the Brazilian side are starting to stretch the Belgian back-line. His run and pass inside to Roberto Carlos sees the Real Madrid man turn the ball on in search of Rivaldo, but Simon makes a crucial intervention.

69 mins: Belgium have been made to pay for not taking advantage of their domination in the half. That's what Brazil can do to you - take note Sven and co.

68 mins: A tough break on Belgium, but Rivaldo's skilful shot may well have beaten de Vlieger anyway, even if it hadn't caught a slight touch of Van Buyten's boot.

67 mins: GOAL RIVALDO - Magic from Rivaldo as he takes the ball on his chest before turning and firing a shot that is deflected past de Vlieger.

66 mins: Verheyen crosses looking for Goor, but Roque Junior rises above him to head out of the Brazilian penalty area.

65 mins: Barcelona man Rivaldo again crosses from the left, but his delivery is again disappointing and Belgium clear their lines through Daniel Van Buyten.

64 mins: Rivaldo curls the ball in left-footed to the near post, where Ronaldo collects the ball and holds off three defenders, before firing a deflected effort behind for another flag-kick.

63 mins: A corner to Brazil as they get their first real opportunity of the half.

62 mins: Another flying save from Marcos to deny the lively Wilmots. He receives a pass from Mpenza and cuts onto his left foot. His curler is tipped out by Marcos and Verheyen blasts the ball wide as he looks to get the rebound on the by-line.

61 mins: Rivaldo sets himself up for a 25-yard strike, but he fails to connect well with the effort and it sails low and wide of de Vlieger's left-hand upright.

60 mins: Fifteen minutes into the half and Brazil have been somewhat of a non-entity in proceedings. Belgium need to take advantage of their domination.

59 mins: More pressure from Belgium, who are really bossing the game. Mpenza runs at Roque Junior, but he dwells on the ball for too long and Roberto Carlos utilises his pace to get back and deal with the danger.

58 mins: A change from Brazil and it is Juninho who is coming off. Denilson takes over to give extra pace and skills down the left flank, but it's tough on Juninho who has had a good game.

57 mins: Pretty much everything is coming through Wilmots and his corner is only just scrambled away by Brazil with Verheyen desperately attempting to turn the ball in.

56 mins: Mpenza meets a cross deep to the right of the Brazilian area, but his shot is turned wide by Marcos who advances to cut the angle.

55 mins: It's been a good start to the half from Belgium and Brazil are on the back foot for the time being.

54 mins: Goor whips the corner into the Brazilian area and Wilmots meets it under pressure and heads well wide of goal.

53 mins: A brilliant save from Marcos denies Wilmots a goal after their best move of the game. He shoots on the turn from 23 yards out, but Marcos flies across he goal to turn the low shot just around his left-hand post.

52 mins: Brazil win a free-kick out on the left touchline around 25 yards from the Belgian goal. Ronaldinho takes it, curling the ball in with pace, but Goor is on hand to get an important header away.

51 mins: Goor floats a very long ball into the Brazilian penalty area, but Marcos comes out to collect ahead of Mpenza.

50 mins: A temporary lack of atmosphere inside the ground as both sets of fans have little to shout about at the moment.

49 mins: Wilmots drives a low shot into the Brazil box and they are a little lucky that Mpenza is unable to collect the ball as it is deflected by Lucio.

48 mins: A free-kick in a dangerous spot on the right as Roque Junior is adjudged to have pushed Mpenza in the back.

47 mins: The second period has begun at a slow tempo and that will suit Belgium just fine.

46 mins: No changes have been made by either coach as the second half gets under way.

HT: Brazil 0 Belgium 0

45 mins: The half-time whistle goes and Belgium will clearly be the happier side to be level. A shock could yet be on the cards, but Brazil can expect a few harsh words from coach Felipe Scolari after a slightly under-par performance.

45 mins: After Ronaldinho drops a shoulder and accelerates into the Belgium box, before seeing a deflected shot gathered by de Vlieger, Roberto Carlos spurns a chance of his own. The ball falls to the Real Madrid fullback after Juninho's cross, but his powerful drive from a very tight angle flies past the goalkeeper, but no-one is able to divert it into the net and it goes behind for a goal-kick.

44 mins: There will be just one more minute of stoppage-time to be played.

43 mins: The half is coming to a slightly disappointing end as both sides look settled to go in level at the break.

42 mins: Belgium get a crossing chance for Peeters on the right, but his ball in towards Verheyen catches the big forward offside.

41 mins: Edmilson drifts a crossfield ball tempting Juninho to hastily chase. However, the ball is overhit and despite the former Middlesbrough man's attempts, Belgium are able to come away with the ball through Simons.

40 mins: Better play from Brazil, but there just hasn't been enough of it in this first period where Belgium have done pretty well to contain them.

39 mins: Brilliant link-up play from Rivaldo and Ronaldo. The Barca man breaks down the left and his cross is fired in to the middle where Ronaldo sticks out a boot on the stretch to volley just over the bar.

38 mins: Belgium play a long free-kick towards the Brazilian box, but Edilson defends well and heads away from the danger area.

37 mins: De Vlieger is a little worse for wear after his blow in the face, but after receiving some treatment, the brave 'keeper is fit to continue.

36 mins: Brave goalkeeping from de Vlieger as he denies Ronaldo a goal. Juninho plays the ball in to the striker, who takes the ball on his chest and into the Belgian area. As he moves out to a tight angle under pressure, the advancing de Vlieger blocks Ronaldo's shot with his face and gathers the rebound.

35 mins: Belgium have the ball in the net through Wilmots after a good move, but a foul against the captain. He is adjudged to have used Lucio to leap above him and head down and past Marcos. An escape for Brazil.

34 mins: For the England squad and fans around the world watching this game, the likely identity of who will be playing them in the quarter-finals on Friday remains unknown.

33 mins: Another good challenge from Van Kerckhoven as Brazil's break through the three Rs comes to an end.

32 mins: Goor breaks down the left, but his cross is headed away by Lucio. Belgium continue to enjoy a fair share of this game.

31 mins: Scrappy play from the teams again as possession is conceded all too easily.

30 mins: Roque Junior again heads away and Juninho is able to break from the corner. His run carries the ball fully 60 yards, before squaring it to Roberto Carlos, whose volleyed attempt from the edge of the Belgian area is sliced horribly with his left foot.

29 mins: Corner to Belgium as a long ball flicks off Roque Junior's head and behind.

28 mins: A yellow card to Roberto Carlos now as the grounded defender catches Verheyen with his trailing leg down the right flank. The ball is crossed by Verheyen, but Roque Junior rises to head away.

27 mins: An acrobatic effort from Wilmots after a brief scramble on the edge of the Brazil area, but his attempt is sliced off the top of his boot and it flies high and wide of Marcos' goal.

26 mins: Rivaldo's flag-kick is drifted into the Belgian area, but a free-kick is awarded to Belgium for a push inside the box.

25 mins: Roberto Carlos leaves the shot to Ronaldinho, whose curled effort glances of the top of Vanderhaeghe's head for a corner.

24 mins: The first yellow card of the match as Vanderhaeghe clips the legs of the advancing Ronaldinho around 23 yards from goal to the left of centre.

23 mins: More great play from Brazil as Juninho releases Ronaldo. He bursts into the left side of the Belgian area and crosses to Rivaldo from the by-line, only to see the Barcelona star volley his scissor-kick effort over the ball.

22 mins: Verheyen almost picks out Marc Wilmots in space down the inside-right channel, but the former's floated pass has too much pace on it and Marcos is out quickly to gather.

21 mins: Both sides are playing at a really high tempo and the teams are clearly having a brief break from this as play enters a lull for the time being.

20 mins: Red Devils' coach Waseige would have hoped before the game that his team could reach this stage of the match on level terms, and his side are doing well for now.

19 mins: The best move of the game sees Ronaldinho bursts past two defenders, before laying the ball off to the unmarked Ronaldo on the left edge of the Belgian area. He hits a first-time shot, but it curls agonisingly wide of the angle of post and bar.

18 mins: Edmilson floats a ball out to Cafu, but his cross is charged down by Simons as Belgium again frustrate their opponents.

17 mins: Good defending from Ronaldinho as the striker tracks back to head the ball back to Marcos just as it looks like dropping onto the boot of Wilmots 25 yards from the Brazilian goal.

16 mins: Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos combine down the left, but in the end, the latter's attempt to skip around Peeters ends as he over-runs the ball for a goal-kick.

15 mins: Verheyen rises above Lucio to meet Bart Goor's lofted ball, but his header loops over Marcos' crossbar.

14 mins: Belgium build down the left and Mpenza wins the ball, before cutting back and sending a cross into the Brazilian area. Lucio comfortably deals with it, though.

13 mins: Juninho looks to exploit the pace of Ronaldo with a through-ball that de Vlieger does well to come out and fly-hack upfield.

12 mins: Good defending from Cafu and then a perfect ball to Gilberto Silva, who in turn spreads the ball wide to Roberto Carlos. The move finally comes to an end as Belgium crowd out Rivaldo.

11 mins: Roberto Carlos lines up an ambitious shot, but his swinging 35-yard drive just fails to dip underneath de Vlieger's bar.

10 mins: Free-kick to Brazil as Vanderhaeghe trips the advancing Edmilson midway inside the Belgian half.

9 mins: It should be 1-0 to Brazil as Rivaldo's corner is met by the head of Gilberto Silva, but his close-range header fails to hit the target.

8 mins: Jacky Peeters concedes a corner to Brazil as Ronaldinho looks to skip past him. Ronaldinho drives the ball in and Vanderhaeghe flicks it behind for another corner.

7 mins: It's been a good, open beginning to the game, with both sides playing some expansive football.

6 mins: A chance for Brazil to build down the right with Cafu. He lays the ball inside to Ronaldinho, who links up with Juninho and his left-footed drive from 25 yards goes a couple of feet wide of Geert de Vlieger's goal.

5 mins: Johan Walem fires a stunning 50-yard crossfield pass to Verheyen. He lays the ball back to Yves Vanderhaeghe, but his low cross flies between the defence and goalkeeper and runs out for a goal-kick.

4 mins: A neat move from Belgium ends with Nico Van Kerckhoven hitting a shot in on goal from 25 yards, but seeing it blocked by Roque Junior.

3 mins: Gert Verheyen fires in the corner, but Brazil clear through Edmilson and Marcos catches when the ball is chipped back into the box.

2 mins: Lucio makes an early break down the right and plays the ball inside to Juninho, but his burst is ended. Belgium break with pace and Mbo Mpenz's cross-shot almost drifts in. Marcos has to tip the ball over the bar.

1 min: Peter Prendergast, the Jamaican referee, gets the action under way in Kobe this evening. Even members of the England squad, including David Beckham, are packed inside the stadium.

Pre-match: Brazil were able to call upon Roberto Carlos, Roque Junior and Ronaldinho once again, after having rested the trio against Costa Rica. Anderson Polga, Junior and Edilson dropped to the bench. Belgium coach Robert Waseige brought Timmy Simons in for the injured Glen De Boeck, but left talented striker Wesley Sonck on the bench.