2018 World Cup Q-finals: Belgium Draw Brazil
Japan’s dream of making it to their first ever World Cup quarter-finals went awry as Belgium came from two goals down to hit three superlative strikes against the distraught Asian campaigners.
Against all expectations, the Japanese team was up 2-0 only for the Belgians dip deep with a last-gasp stunner to run away 3-2 winner and set up a World Cup quarter-final against favourite Brazil.
The match was looking set for extra-time after great goals from Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini cancelled out wonder strikes from Japan’s Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui.
With a double substitute from the bench, it was a rejuvenated Belgian side that unleashed its world-class quality, ripping off three superb goals, with the killer punch coming in the dying seconds of regulation through Nacer Chadli, to crush the Japanese’s hopes in Rostov-on-Don.
The victory avoided a demoralizing defeat for Belgium’s Golden Generation of players that has long promised a great performance at a major championship and now seems poised to deliver it, at least if it can get past mighty Brazil in the quarterfinal round on Friday.
Brazil had earlier taken out a stubborn Mexican side 2-0 in the other quarter-final encounter of the day.
It was show-boy Neymar and second half substitute, Roberto Firmino that sealed victory for the Brazilians as they progressed to the final eight. – With agency reports
