Belgium and Japan met on Monday in their Round of 16 fixture for a place in the quarter-finals with Brazil in an end-to-end game. The South Americans defeated Mexico early in the afternoon and now Belgium will face them on Friday evening. With the score level late in the second half, Nacer Chadli scored a stoppage-time winner to send his country to the quarterfinals.
Belgium 3-2 Japan: Nacer Chadli Winner Propels Belgium Into Quarterfinals
The first-half started off with a slow outset, as almost all the World Cup games have done. Japan signalled their defensive intent by pressing forward and restricted the Belgians to having play deep in their own half.
The Europeans were forced to have five at the back at times and did rarely have a chance to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes of the game.
Vincent Kompany had their best chance of the half when he met a deep free-kick in the box at the far post. However, no one was there to meet the header across the box to supply the finish.
Genki Haraguchi Sends Japan Into the Lead
The second half was a complete contrast to the first 45, with a goal scored just three minutes after the restart.
In a World Cup full of shocks, Japan took the lead through a Genki Haraguchi strike that beat Thibaut Courtois.
The Hannover 96 midfielder managed to get himself on the end of a through ball that Jan Vertonghen failed to deal with. Haraguchi managed to smash the ball past the Chelsea goalkeeper into the far corner.
One minute later, Eden Hazard hit the woodwork from inside the area, however, Japan doubled their lead just moments later.
Wondergoal From Takashi Inui
Takashi Inui struck an unbelievable ball to beat Courtois from outside the area. Shinji Kagawa teed the ball up with a sublime touch and piece of skill before the Real Betis man smashed it in.
Romelu Lukaku had a chance to get one back on the hour mark, however, he failed to hit the target from inside the six-yard box.
Japan continued to attack the Belgium goal and could have trebled their lead on occasion. Their inability to defend set pieces was their downfall, though.
Belgium Reduce Deficit Through Vertonghen and Fellaini
Vertonghen scored an unbelievable header that looped across the area and left Eiji Kawashima no chance.
The Red Devils then took the initiative and put Japan on the back-foot, with Marouane Fellaini managing to take full advantage.
The Manchester United midfielder met a cross into the box and brought the teams back all square.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Belgium looked to use their height advantage and had opportunities to get their winner. Nacer Chadli and Lukaku both had a glorious opportunity in the final five minutes, however, they were both denied by Kawashima’s acrobatics.
Nacer Chadli Breaks Japanese Hearts
Meanwhile, Japan had their backs against the wall as the final whistle approached them. Keisuke Honda almost scored from an outrageous distance with a free-kick, however, Courtois was equal to the task.
One world-class counter-attack in the final minute of stoppage time saw Chadli tap the winner in after Lukaku dummied a ball across the box for the West Bromwich Albion man to send them through.
What’s Next for Belgium?
The Europeans will meet Brazil on Friday in the quarter-finals of the tournament that has proven to be full of surprises. The Brazilians will be considered favourites to progress, however, there has been no shortage of shocks in Russia this summer.
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