Nacer Chadli rose from the substitutes’ bench to complete Belgium’s comeback from 2-0 down against Japan in the dying embers of injury time and enter World Cup 2018’s quarter-finals with an epic 3-2 win.
The Samurai Blue emerged from a scoreless first half to be two-goals ahead by 52 minutes through Genki Haraguchi’s breakaway and the outstanding Takashi Inui’s piledriver. A first entry into the last eight seemed set from that point.
But Roberto Martinez’s hotly tipped side weren’t done. Headers from Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini levelled things up by 74 minutes at Rostov Arena, before Chadli swept in a 94th-minute counter-attack to become the first nation since West Germany in 1970 to comeback from 2-0 behind in the World Cup’s knockouts.
Belgium will now play favourites Brazil in the next stage.
BELGIUM ARE ALL TOGETHER
Disaster and ignominy, to joy and relief.
De Rode Duivels rode a rollercoaster in Rostov. They, just about, emerged from the other end.
A great World Cup upset was avoided from the moment Martinez ditched his purist principles on 65 minutes, utilising a power play through replacements Fellaini and Chadli.
The key takeaway for Belgium will be the indefatigable spirit on show. Rumours of splits in the camp between Flemish and French speakers, plus an explosive mixture of egos, have bedevilled this ‘Golden Generation’.
Selflessness, exhibited most by striker Romelu Lukaku, is a positive takeaway from a disquieting night.
2 - The last team to come from two goals down to win a World Cup knockout round match were Germany against England in 1970. Mountain. #BEL #JPNBEL #WorldCup
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 2, 2018
JAPAN’S TWIN INFLUENCES
The sight of Japan popping passes around a star-studded Belgium side is one to cherish within Asian football circles.
This return to the core Samurai Blue principles was behind April’s decision to dismiss the combustible and dour Vahid Halilhodzic.
But if the Bosnian was watching on Monday, Japan’s retention of a combative defensive shape spoke of a lasting legacy. Lessons this group first learned under current UAE tactician Alberto Zaccheroni.
Vitally, this was twinned by the cute possession and confidence on the ball that current incumbent Akira Nishino has been schooled in throughout his life.
This is a mix that should lead the Samurai Blue to success in January 2019’s Asian Cup – and beyond.
【試合終了】
— サッカー日本代表 (@jfa_samuraiblue) July 2, 2018
2018FIFAワールドカップロシア
日本🇯🇵 2-3 🇧🇪ベルギー #jfa #daihyo #SAMURAIBLUE#Worldcup #夢を力に2018
👇大会情報はこちらhttps://t.co/dERDMjWqZk
BELGIUM’S BAD POINTS
And now for the negatives.
The 3-1-4-2 formation utilised during Martinez’s two-year reign has sparked debate and discord. Its weaknesses were exposed to the globe by Japan.
Bundesliga pair Makoto Hasebe and Shinji Kagawa constantly picked gaps in the channels. It led to an uncomfortable night for Vertonghen especially, normally so unflappable for Tottenham.
The spaces vacated by wing-backs Thomas Meunier and Yannick Carrasco in transition will make the likes of Neymar and Willian salivate.
Furthermore, the approach makes ineffable playmaker Kevin De Bruyne – a vocal critic in the past – a relative passenger. His only real contribution was to spark the decisive final move.
Belgium possess significant weapons in Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. But systematic weaknesses must be cured, or it’ll be their eventual undoing.
QUARTERFINALS 🇧🇪💪🏾 What a comeback from our TEAM, what a game, what a feeling!! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dqMz6bizzh
— Axel Witsel (@axelwitsel28) July 2, 2018
