After a beautiful escape, the Belgians look at Brazil without pressure



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MOSCOW (Reuters) – It took a nice breakaway in added time to get there after being two goals in Japan, but Belgium can now see its quarter-final against Brazil's free of charge. 39; waiting.

Football – World Cup – Round of 16 – Belgium vs Japan – Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don, Russia – 2 July 2018 Belgian Nacer Chadli celebrates his third goal REUTERS / Toru Hanai

», said coach Roberto Martinez after a final four-minute charge in injury time, which gave Belgium a 3-2 win and a tough date in Kazan on Friday.

"We can enjoy it from the first minute," said the Spaniard, describing the match as a childhood dream for footballers. "I do not think anyone expects us to go into the semi-finals."

In a scoreless first half on Monday, the Japanese gave FIFA a third place in the world with no space and threatened on the break, its players posted "a fear of not being able to complete the title to be favorites, "Martinez said.

Only once they were 2-0 behind with half an hour to play and "nothing to lose," the Red Devils "almost took advantage of the opportunity to come back", was -he adds.

Football – World Cup – Round of 16 – Belgium vs Japan – Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don, Russia – July 2, 2018 Belgian Nacer Chadli celebrates his third goal with Michy Batshuayi and his teammates REUTERS / Toru Hanai

So, against Brazil, "we can really enjoy it from the first second."

He refused to respond to his tactics, praising the Japanese and the "hungry" of his own players, although the Belgians a lot of questions about the strength of his three-player defensive line and the acuteness of 39, an offensive force that had struck nine times in three matches in the group stage.

Everton returned after disappointments in the quarterfinals at the last World Cup and the Euro 2016 to give some collective steel Premier League to a "golden generation" Martinez silenced all critics.

Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens have danced in the past against Eden Hazard and striker Romelu Lukaku, but Samurai Blue's pressing has left them at sea.

In the 65th minute, Martinez throws himself onto the Winger Nacer Chadli of West Bromwich Albion and Marouane Fellaini, the Manchester United midfielder.

Within 10 minutes, after a lucky goal from behind Tottenham Hotspur, Jan Vertonghen, Fellaini was leading the equalizer.

Football – World Cup – Round of 16 – Belgium vs Japan – Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don, Russia – 2 July 2018 Marouane Fellaini of Belgium scores his second goal REUTERS / Murad Sezer

As an extension threatened, a shot from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, a midfield pbad by Kevin De Bruyne to feed Thomas Meunier on the right and a cross that Lukaku deftly gave to Chadli dropped the Belgians in just 10 seconds.

"The Miraculous Men", was the single title in Le Soir de Bruxelles.

Friday's encounter with Brazil will test whether they can hold a tactical and technical promise, but Rostov's "miracle" suggests that Martinez has brought mental steel and force in-depth.

Captain Hazard confessed that the Euro 2016 was once again felt when two major injuries saw the Belgians surrender 3-1 to modest Wales.

Miller, too, admitted that he had thought, "It's over."

Against Brazil, he said: "We will have tougher times, but it will be a good match, it is now or never for Belgium to show that we have the talent and what is". they call the "golden generation."

Editing by Peter Rutherford

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