Belgium 3-2 Japan
We have an incredible choice but the second half at the Rostov Arena tonight must rank as the best 45 minutes of FIFA 2018 so far!
After a relatively subdued first half the match exploded into life as Japan took a shock 2-0 lead, before Belgium roared back, Nacer Chadli scoring a dramatic winner with the last kick of the match.
The FIFA 2018 betting odds placed Japan as rank outsiders to win the trophy, our pre-match odds pitched the Blue Samurai at a massive 111.00 for World Cup glory, with Belgium one of the fancied few at 7.50.
Head coach Akiro Nishono was more concerned with his players avoiding yellow cards than playing football in their ridiculous stand-off with Poland in their last group game. But they did qualify for this match on the strength of their disciplinary record so he could rightly say the strategy paid off.
And against Belgium tonight the Blue Samurai deserves nothing but credit.
Highlights of the game
Belgium came into this last 16 clash as top scorers from the group stage with nine; while Romelu Lukaku started the game joint second in the race for the Golden Boot so we expected a lot of traffic to be heading towards Eiji Kawashima’s net.
But the Samurai goalkeeper was well protected by his team in the early stages as they pressed and harried Belgium, while the Red Devils tried to get their flair players on the ball.
The first real chance came on 26 minutes when Dries Mertens put Lukaku through with a lovely ball, but the big Manchester United man couldn’t get his shot away. Eden Hazard stung Kawashima’s hands though with a powerful drive and then, as Belgium cranked up the pressure Kevin De Bruyne fizzed in a cross but Vincent Kompany couldn’t convert.
Japan had their first attempt on target as Takashi Inui headed into Thibaut Courtois’ hands, and that was a brief reprieve as Belgium began to camp in the Japan half, but without any real penetration before the half time break.
After frustrating Belgium in the first half Japan didn’t stick to the script in the second, and stunned the Rostov Arena, delighting its own fans by going two ahead in an incredible first seven minutes. First Japan broke swiftly and when Gaku Shibasaki found Genki Haraguchi on the right, the Dusseldorf striker set himself before finishing superbly in the far corner.
Eden Hazard was so close to his third goal of the tournament, and drawing level immediately, but his fierce effort crashed against the post and out. Then lightning struck a second time!
Shinji Kagawa cleverly controlled and found Inui, and the midfielder took aim from 25 yards and fired a beauty in the corner of Courtois’ net. 2-0!
Belgium had a mountain to climb, but they have a squad dripping with talent and Thomas Meunier put a great cross on a plate for Lukaku but the striker headed wide when he should have scored. Minutes later Meunier fed Lukaku again but this time his shot was superbly blocked by Maya Yoshida.
The Red Devil’s lifeline came from an unexpected source, with a slice of luck when Jan Vertonghen’s header from wide looped over Kawashima and into the net. It looked like the big defender was just trying to head back in the danger area.
As Belgium piled forward Gen Shoji was the next man to put his body on the line, bravely blocking a Kevin de Bruyne shot; but the Samurai defence could do nothing when Hazard crossed and Marouane Fellaini powered his header home. Two in five minutes, just as Japan had done.
With time running out Kawashima made a great double save from Nacer Chadli and Romelu Lukaku to keep Japan in the game.
But then, deep, so deep into injury time the Samurai Blue warriors were finally broken when Courtois turned defence into attack, catching a corner and setting a lightning break in motion, and when Meunier crossed Chadli was on hand to thump the ball home.
What a match! Make sure you catch it on the FIFA 2018 highlights.
Key statistics
Here at SBOBET we predicted this would be a one-sided affair and the match stats almost back that up, but it was anything but. With 57 per cent possession, and 24 shots to 11 Belgium deserved the win, but Japan fought tooth and nail and nearly sprung a massive surprise.
So Belgium has still never kept a clean sheet in the knockout stages of the World Cup. But unbeaten in 23 games they advance into the quarter finals for the third time.
Japan’s wait for a last eight place goes on; but they gave it one hell of a go!
What’s next?
A lie down in a darkened room might not be a bad idea, but Roberto Martinez needs to get his team up for another huge test at Kazan on Friday.
They don’t come any bigger than five time champions Brazil, and the Selecao is hitting a nice run of form after dispatching a very competitive Mexico 2-0.
That game, my friends, could be a humdinger!
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE WORLD CUP 2018 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
