It has been best practice at this World Cup to forget all assumption, to invert prejudice, to expect the unexpected. Not that that stopped Brazil, the perpetual favourites, swaggering into town propelled by the conviction that the tournament must be theirs. And then they met Marouane Fellaini.

How the thousands packed into the Kazan Arena believed this would be Brazil’s night. Apart from a red-shirted corner, every stand was cast in a yellow and green glow. From Rio, Sao Paulo and - in substantial numbers - from Shanghai, the Brazil followers had come to Tartarstan; wearing yellow-feather headdresses and yellow top hats, they had turned this part of Russia into the Maracana.

The problem with all that assumption was that on the pitch they were facing a side not prepared to be cowed by reputation. Brazil may have five stars on their shirts, but this Belgium team have talent aplenty. After all, even if Brazil are currently ranked No 2 in the world, their opponents are third.

This was what a World Cup quarter-final should be, a tussle between the best of teams. And for 90 minutes it throbbed with tension, boiled with excitement. What a game it was, further confirmation - as if it were needed - that we are witnessing something extraordinary here in Russia.