Belgium made history as they became the first team to come from two goals down to win a match in the knockout stage since West Germany in 1970. It was an exhilarating match to say the least. Japan stunned everyone when they scored two quick goals in the second half (Haraguchi 48’, Inui 52’). But Belgium weren't to be written off. Vertonghen (69’), Fellaini (74’) and Chadli (90+4’) stepped up to the occasion as Belgium broke Japanese hearts. Japan fought and fought valiantly, but Belgium were equally stubborn in their attack. They kept pressing till Japan popped. Belgium avoided a certain nightmare and would be heaving a huge sigh of relief when they are back in their dressing room.
The first shot of the match came off Kagawa in the first minute, but it was well off target. Belgium won the first free-kick of the match when Hazard was brought down in the 4th minute. Belgium came within a sniff of goal in the 18th minute when Lukaku took a shot on goal, but it got deflected. Hazard sent a pile-driver on goal in the 27th minute, but it was punched clear by the Japanese goalkeeper Kawashima. It was Kompany who came close to scoring next. De Bruyne’s cross found Kompany lunging at the ball near the far post, but his volley went far off the goal. Courtois made a howler in the 44th minute when he let the ball slip through his hands, but quickly latched on to it before it could find its way past the goal-line. Nagatomo’s shot beat everyone before landing in front of Osako, who was too taken aback to slam it into goal. The ball then went into the hands of Courtois and he too was too befuddled to collect it. But a disaster was avoided. Both teams ended the first half in high spirits, having played well.
If the first half was entertaining, the second half was truly exceptional. Japan took the lead in the 48th minute after Vertonghen’s mistake proved costly for Belgium. He failed to deal with a long pass, which made its way to Haraguchi who sprinted towards the right side of the goal before driving a shot across and past the diving Courtois and into the back of the net. Belgium responded quickly but Hazard’s shot from the edge of the box hit the post in the 49th minute. Japan were light on their feet and attacked freely and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Inui scored following some good play by Kagawa.
Despite being two goals down, Belgium did not press the panic button. Meunier’s cross found Lukaku inside the box in the 62nd minute, but his header was off target. Belgium made a double substitution in the 66th minute, bringing on Fellaini and Chadli for Mertens and Carrasco.
Belgium’s first goal came out of nowhere. Their corner was dealt with by Japan’s Kawashima, but it found Vertonghen 15 yards away. His header looped over everyone and went into the far right of the post, baffling everyone. Belgium were back in it and looked hungry for more. It was Fellaini who satisfied that hunger. Hazard sent a textbook left-wing cross into the box, which was graciously headed into the goal by Fellaini. Both teams were level and were playing to finish matters off before extra-time. Honda almost came through on goal in the 84th minute, but Kompany threw himself in front of the ball to block it for a corner. Kawashima was forced to make a double save in the 86th minute off both Chadli and Lukaku in the space of a few seconds. But with eight seconds of stoppage time remaining, Belgium broke Japanese hearts when De Bruyne tore down the pitch before playing to Meunier on the right, who then sent a low cross towards Lukaku who sold the Japanese defender a dummy, leaving it for a charging Chadli to put it into the goal.
Japan can hold their head high, although it remains to be seen whether they were too naïve not to play a more defensive game when they were 2-0 up. Full credit to Belgium who never looked like they would collapse. Even while trailing by two goals, they looked composed and in the end it paid dividends. It was, arguably, the best match of the World Cup so far. Germany out in the group stage. Spain, Argentina and Portugal going out in the round of 16. Croatia and Belgium, too, nearly crashing out in the round of 16. Italy, the Netherlands, USA and Chile didn’t even make it to the World Cup Finals. ‘Uncertainty’ has been the middle name for the World Cup 2018. Not to forget there are nine more matches to go!