Belgium made a stunning comeback from 0-2 down to win 3-2 with the last kick of the game in the round of 16 encounter against Japan at the Rostov Arena and book a place in the quarter final.
Belgium was one of the few teams to collect all 9 points in the group stage defeating Panama, Tunisia and England along the way. Japan on the other hand finished 2nd in their group with a shocking win over Colombia, a draw with Senegal and finally losing to Poland as they progressed through to the round of 16 due to fair play.
The underdogs Japan were in charge during the first few minutes controlling the pace and would have drawn first blood had Shinji Kagawa’s shot found the back of the net.
It did not take long for the favourites Belgium to find their footing and took complete control over the game making the Japanese defend for their lives.
Romelu Lukaku had a tough time getting free from the opposing defenders to convert the many chances he received. The same fate fell upon Eden Hazard as Eiji Kawashima managed to punch away a stinging shot.
The Samurai Blues brought about a nice move from Yuto Nagatomo whose cross found a flying Japanese striker, but the sharp header found its way into Thibaut Courtois’ hands.
Courtois nearly gifted away a goal in the dying minutes of the first half when he let the ball slip between his hands from a Yuya Osako flick but managed to recover it before anything drastic happened.
Half time – Belgium 0 – 0 Japan
The 2nd half defied expectations as Japan scored the first goal of the match stunning the favourites.
A missed interception by Jan Vertonghen saw Genki Haraguchi fly down the right wing and shoot past a diving Courtois to make it 1-0.
They made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later when Takashi Inui’s shot from outside the box once again beat Courtois.
The Belgians, not willing to give up, took advantage of the height difference causing trouble in the Japanese back end through numerous crosses and corners.
The breakthrough came from Vertonghen as his looping header from far away soared past the Japanese keeper and into the goal bringing the deficit down to 1 goal.
The towering Marouane Fellaini who came on as a substitute, equalized from another header off a Hazard cross stifling any chance the Japanese had of making it into the quarter finals.
It looked like Japan would be able to take back the lead in the dying minutes of the game when they received a free kick and a corner in the Belgian final third of the pitch.
But this became their undoing as a quick counter attack initiated by Kevin de Bruyne saw the ball get to Thomas Meunier who made a wonderful cross across the penalty box right to the left foot of Nacer Chadli who put it past a diving Kawashima to take Belgium on to a quarter final against Brazil.
Full time – Belgium 3 – 2 Japan
Man of the Match – Eden Hazard
Goal Scorers
Belgium – Jan Vertonghen 69’, Marouane Fellaini 74’, Nacer Chadli 90+4’
Japan – Genki Haraguchi 48’, Takashi Inui 52’Bookings
Yellow Cards
Japan – Gaku Shibasaki 40’
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