Chadli's last-gasp winner crowns superb Belgium comeback against Japan
A brilliant Nacer Chadli goal crowned an astonishing Belgium comeback against Japan to set up a World Cup quarter final against Brazil.
From 2-0 down, Belgium grabbed two quick goals to level before a last-minute, injury time counter-attack gave them a famous victory.
Roberto Martinez made 10 changes to his starting line-up after resting most of his side for his side’s 1-0 win over England in their last group stage match.
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AS IT HAPPENED: Belgium v Japan, last 16
Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku both saw shots from the edge of the box whistle over after taking a deflection, and Lukaku was guilty of wasting a chance when the ball fell to him five yards out. Minutes later, Vincent Kompany flashed a volley wide at the back post.
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Japan pressed their opponents high up the pitch, even as far as Thibaut Courtois. Their technical excellence gave them the confidence to play from deep, even if it occasionally invited trouble. It was, though, Japan who went closest when Courtois simply failed to pick up a ball rolling towards him.
In the second half, it took just three minutes for Genki Haraguchi to break the deadlock, firing a low shot past Courtois and setting up yet another shock result. It then took just four more minutes before Takashi Inui was left in space outside the box before whipping a shot inside the far post.
With half an hour remaining, Lukaku managed to glance a header at the near post wide after meeting an inviting cross from the right wing, and it looked as if Belgium would pay for their first half profligacy.
Martinez threw on Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli as he grew more desperate in his attempt to chase the game and draw in Japan. It drew almost instant results.
Jan Vertonghen pulled a goal back when he met a huge, looping clearance at the back post to beat a stranded Eiji Kawashima with a brilliantly measured header, giving Belgium hope of a late siege on Japan’s defence. Then Fellaini was on hand to equalise to head in powerfully from Hazard’s left-footed cross.
With seconds left, Belgium launched a counter-attack which saw Meunier’s cross dummied by Lukaku to allow Chadli an easy finish to win, marking a superb achievement.
BELGIUM 3-2 JAPAN OPTA STATS
Belgium are the first team to come from 2+ goals down to win a World Cup knockout stage match within 90 minutes since Portugal beat DPR Korea in the 1966 quarter-final (0-3 down, 5-3 win).
Belgium have reached the World Cup quarter-finals in successive tournaments for the first time.
Belgium have never kept a clean sheet in their 12 World Cup knockout round matches, shipping 28 goals in total.
Japan have scored six goals at the 2018 World Cup, their highest ever tally in a single World Cup tournament.
There were just four minutes and 16 seconds between Japan’s two goals, and just four minutes and 30 seconds between Belgium’s two to level the scores.
There have now been nine 90th minute winning goals in the 2018 World Cup. There were just 10 in the previous five tournaments combined (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014).
Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 19 goals in his 18 games for Belgium under Roberto Martinez, scoring 10 and assisting nine.
Takashi Inui is only the third player to have scored multiple goals in a World Cup tournament for Japan, after Junichi Inamoto in 2002 (2) and Keisuke Honda in 2010 (2).
Both of Marouane Fellaini’s World Cup goals for Belgium have been headers.
Nacer Chadli scored his first goal in 11 games for Belgium, since netting against Estonia in June 2017.
