Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hailed the performance of Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini in their 2-1 victory over Brazil last night.

Roberto Martinez’s side secured a place in only their second ever World Cup semi-final with victory over the Brazilians last night, where they will join France and two of Sweden or England and Russia or Croatia.

Belgium took the lead early-on thanks to an own-goal from Manchester City’s Fernandinho, and soon doubled their advantage through another City star Kevin De Bruyne, who slotted home cooly after a fine counter on the half-hour mark.

Brazil threatened in the second-half, pulling one back through Renato Augusto with 15 minutes to play, however were unable to find the equaliser.

Amongst the star performers for Belgium on the night were De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Manchester United’s own Romelu Lukaku, however Ferdinand believes it was another United star, Marouane Fellaini, who should take the plaudits for his side’s victory last night.

What a night !!! World Cup semifinals 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 #redtogether🇧🇪 @BelRedDevils @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lwzJIGhLge

— Marouane Fellaini (@Fellaini) July 6, 2018

“Fellaini has been monster defensively,” Ferdinand said on BBC Sport. “When the ball goes forward the platform is there for holding the ball up to let team-mates join and all front three have that down that perfectly.”

Germany great Jurgen Klinsmann also underlined Fellaini’s ‘outstanding’ display before the break at the Kazan Arena, saying: ‘Brazil have been open to counter-attacks if you look at the movements of Lukaku making room.

“Fellaini’s having a major game, he’s had an outstanding first-half.

“The space for Neymar has not been there. It’s an outstanding performance by Belgium in the first-half.”