4.Roberto Martinez lucky to survive on “risky” strategy
This was a great night for Martinez and his assistant, Thierry Henry, whose plan carried Belgium over the line by the skin of their teeth. Playing a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 Fellaini in midfield with Witsel in front of a back three initially and Lukaku and Hazard wide, allowing De Bruyne to come through the middle as a False Nine. They left two up at all times, taking a risk on exploiting Brazil’s vulnerability in the wide positions and although Belgium’s first was a Fernandinho own goal their second, from De Bruyne, was an out-of-your-seat, counter-attacking classic.
Belgium looked vulnerable in the opening exchanges as Brazil started confidently, and might have been as much as 3-0 down by the time Fernandinho found his own net. Once ahead they had the luxury of playing on the break, which begs the question as to why Brazil were able to counter them with such alarming regularity in the second half.
Although the plan was not aesthetic, plonking Marouane Fellaini in midfield alongside Axel Witsel was key to the win. Not only did the duo broke down wave after wave of Brazilian attacks, they freed de Bruyne and Eden Hazard to counter at speed. On the biggest stage of all, Martinez can raise a triumphant fist and say that he had formulated Brazil’s downfall.
Augusto’s header to give Brazil life was totally unmarked, and both he and Coutinho missed gilt-edged chances to level the match. Martinez’s insistence on leaving three men upfield was admirable but surely unwise against such talented opponents.