skol
fortebet

Late winner sends Belgium into World Cup quarter-finals after thrilling comeback against Japan

Yanditswe: Monday 02, Jul 2018

Sponsored Ad

A Nacer Chadli strike with 20 seconds left in stoppage time set up a quarter-final date for Belgium with Brazil, after the Red Devils overcome a two-goal deficit against a Japanese side who fought tooth and nail in Rostov.

Sponsored Ad

A Nacer Chadli strike with 20 seconds left in stoppage time set up a quarter-final date for Belgium with Brazil, after the Red Devils overcame a two-goal deficit against a Japanese side who fought tooth and nail in Rostov.

Goals for Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Iniu within six minutes of each other in the second half suggested that perhaps the biggest upset of the World Cup yet was on the cards, but Belgium showed their character by fighting back with three goals in the last 25 minutes to claim the win.

It was a hugely demoralizing climax to the game for Japan, who only qualified for the round of 16 by virtue of having a received fewer yellow cards than Senegal, the team they finished deadlocked with in Group H.

The game’s five second-half goals came in contrast to a first half in which neither side created any clear-cut chances. Japan started the brighter of the two sides, with Shinji Kagawa impressive as the creative fulcrum behind Yuya Osako. As the first stanza wore on however, Belgium appeared to sharpen their attack. Romelu Lukaku had a good chance on 20 minutes, swiveling in the box to let a shot fly past Kawashima’s goalpost.

Lukaku had another chance to tie Harry Kane as the tournament’s top scorer but he was denied his fifth goal in Russia, fluffing a chance from five yards after being found by a Dries Mertens cross.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Who are you?

Amategeko n'amabwiriza birkurikizwa