But Lukaku believed the plan that had been put into effect since Belgium squeezed past Japan would come to fruition.

"Individually, Brazil are the strongest team in this World Cup", Kompany, who made the last of his global appearances as a substitute in the 1-0 win over England, told reporters.

While Tite has come in for criticism for his policy, it means that all but one of the expected starting XI against Belgium will have captained Brazil from the start before.

"If we play the game from a collective point of view, we have a chance".

"I will always remember there was a moment at 0-2 down against Japan that he's the one that is giving a bit of composure, a bit of belief into the group and he's getting everyone to know that we've still got time to get back into the game".

"The biggest strength in our squad is that we've got different ways of attacking", Martinez said. "He's essential for us". "We will need power", he said in a hint that the physical presence of Fellaini might be deployed from the beginning. Neymar in the future will be the best player in the world.

The five-time world champions have had 150 touches in their opponents' boxes so far at the World Cup, the most of any team left in the tournament. That consistency is the reason Jeffrey Marcus, publisher of the World Cup newsletter "The Banter", calls Sweden "predictable but effective".

Neymar has been slated for diving throughout the tournament and new data, collated by Swiss broadcaster RTS, revealed the 26-year-old has spent an astonishing 14 minutes on the turf in just four matches so far.

And now they have a great opportunity to make history by beating Brazil.

"It´s a dream match for our players", Martinez told Belgian press after sealing qualification for the last eight with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Japan in the first phase of the knockout rounds.

Four years after opening his World Cup account with a crucial extra-time victor over the United States in the group stages, Lukaku started Russian Federation 2018 with a bang.

The winners of the clash will face either France or Uruguay in St Petersburg on July 10. With Casemiro out, De Bruyne can be the man to exploit Brazil's core.

Manchester City stalwart Kompany, 32, said although Belgium boast their own outstanding individual players such as Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, the only way they will beat Brazil is to play as a team.

Kompany evaded a question on how he would deal with any Neymar's antics, but said: "Honestly, I don't care". Centre-back pairing Joao Miranda and Thiago Silva have been solid and despite Marcelo's injury, the back four have not been stretched.