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The powerfully built striker showed a quick
turn of pace as he moved out of defense after Belgium won
possession from a corner, crossing the halfway line and driving
upfield before feeding De Bruyne, who then advanced a few meters
before striking a superb shot into the corner.
It ensured Belgium a 2-0 half-time lead and although Brazil
pulled one back after the interval, proved the difference at the
Kazan Arena, propelling Belgium to the last four of the World
Cup for only the second time.
"Everyone thinks Romelu Lukaku is just about goals, goals,
goals," said the Manchester United player, "but I want to be
seen as an all-rounder. Providing assists is also important and
this year I have provided more than ever.
"Of course, I want to score but, at the same time, I try to work
as hard as I can for the team. I don’t have to prove myself any
more (as a goal-scorer). Everyone knows I can score with every
chance provided to me in the box, but the individual doesn’t
count here."
For De Bruyne, the euphoria that followed Friday’s win needs
some tempering with nothing achieved yet by Belgium’s "golden
generation".
"In football it’s all about the winning of titles and it is when
I’ve won trophies that I have had my greatest memories in the
game. Scoring against Brazil is not the best moment of my
career.
"We haven’t won the World Cup. For that we still need to win two
more matches," De Bruyne added.
It starts with the semi-final against France in St Petersburg on
Tuesday and if Belgium, who previously got to the 1986
semi-finals, win that, the final in Moscow next Sunday.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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