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Bring on Brazil, say Belgian fans

Fans start the celebrations in Brussels

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- French and Dutch speaking Belgians buried their differences on Friday, uniting to sing and dance in praise of the national team after they qualified for the second round of the World Cup.

On the final whistle after Belgium's thrilling 3-2 win against Russia, Red Devils supporters draped in the Belgian tricolour streamed into the streets in central Brussels singing: "Tous ensemble (All together)! Tous ensemble!"

Even a Russian second goal had failed to dampen spirits as supporters, crowded into dark, smoky pubs, chanted: "We don't care! We don't care!"

"I never thought it was possible. There was a lot of suspense and the final minutes were awful to watch...but I'm very proud to be Belgian," said Jean-Pierre Van Zurpele as motorists hooted their horns and traffic was brought to a standstill.

Belgium finished runners-up in group H on five points, two behind Japan and two ahead of Russia. (Match report)

Despite press criticism of coach Robert Waseige -- a French speaker -- before Belgium's last group match, all was quickly forgiven.

"It was not justified. Whether you're Flemish or Walloon, the essential is to keep united, keep up morale," said service station assistant Olivier Riche, who had changed his shift to watch the game.

"Belgium's strength is that when we have nothing to lose, we put everything into the battle."

Revenge was sweet for Waseige, who has already announced he will quit to coach league side Standard Liege after the World Cup. The last time the Belgians reached the last 16 was in 1994. In 1998, widely criticised, they bowed out in the first round.

The prospect of facing four times world champions Brazil in the next round did not daunt fans. "I'm persuaded we'll beat Brazil. We'll have Ronaldo in our pocket. We'll beat them 1-0 -- that will be enough," said Antoine Vanderhaeghe, wearing a number seven shirt.

He could not resist adding salt to neighbour and old rival France's wound after they were knocked out of the first round.

"We're better than the French. We scored six goals, they didn't get anything," he said.

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