Belgium player ratings as Eden Hazard gets an 8 with Nacer Chadli completing 3-2 comeback win

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Belgium beat Japan in epic circumstances.

    Belgium broke Japanese hearts with a winner in the dying moments of the World Cup quarter-final at Rostov Arena on Monday night.

    Goals from Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini cancelled out efforts from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui as the game looked to be heading for extra-time at 2-2.

    However, from a corner kick for Japan, Belgium broke forward at pace and Nacer Chadli grabbed a dramatic winner.

    Here, we rate the Belgium players.

    STARTING XI

    Thibaut Courtois – Nervy moments from the Chelsea keeper among a few decent saves. Set off the counter-attack for the winner. 6

    Toby Alderweireld – Good on the ball but rather quiet from a defensive aspect. 5

    Vincent Kompany – Made a superb block to deny Keisuke Honda late in the second half. Made the most clearances and passes. 6

    Jan Vertonghen – Dominant in the air but otherwise suspect defensively. Shoulders a large portion of the blame for the opener. A freak header to spark the comeback though. 5

    Thomas Meunier – Couple of shaky moments in defence but looked good going forward with a few dangerous crosses, one of which Lukaku really should’ve scored from. 6

    Yannick Carrasco – Another poor display. A few good moments in attack but suspect at the back. 4

    Kevin De Bruyne – A strangely subdued performance from the midfield maestro. Went missing for long periods but always produced good delivery and orchestrated the counter-attack for the winner expertly. 6

    Axel Witsel – A couple of interceptions aside, he was largely ineffectual with both of his shots blocked. 5

    Dries Mertens – Whipped in some good crosses, one of which found Lukaku for Belgium’s first clear-cut chance. Created a few other chances of note as well. 7

    Eden Hazard – Had defenders back-tracking all the time with his dribbling and changes of direction. Got a few venomous shots away as well and created plenty of chances. Was unfortunate to strike the upright in the second half. Wriggled free a delivered a superb cross for Fellaini to head home the equaliser. 8

    Romelu Lukaku – Ran the channels really well but his finishing let him down on a couple of occasions. Was a real handful though and his clever dummy allowed Chadli to tap-in the winner. 6

    SUBS

    Marouane Fellaini – Replaced Carrasco in the second half and did his job, heading in for the equaliser. 7

    Nacer Chadli –  Was a live wire when he came on for Mertens. Beat defenders for fun, had a chance with a header and scored the all-important winner. 7

    Recommended