Belgium snatch 3-2 against Japan to put Brazil in shock

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia (Reuters) – Belgium has been cautious in reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup when substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the closing seconds while he was beating Japan 3-2 Monday to install a tantalizing clash with five champions Brazil.

scored 2-0 with goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui early in the second half, fell to the pitch after Chadli scored Thomas Meunier's goal after four minutes of play at the Rostov Arena.

Belgium, who had opted for a conservative approach to the game, came back into play with late goals from Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini before Chadli hit in a demonstration of coach Robert Martinez's tactics.

"This is what happens in the World Cup, it was a test of character and a test of the team.It tells you everything about this group of players," he said. the Spanish Martinez.

Japan coach Akira Nishino, whose side failed to reach the last eight for the first time, added: "We were leading, we were going to win but I do not have to go out. did not expect this kind of reversal of the result.

"I thought it was a World Cup, and we were facing the deep strength of Belgium, that's what I felt late in the game. "

One of the most exciting teams in the group stage West Germany defeated England 3-2 in overtime after 1970.

The Belgian "golden generation" scored 12 goals in four games in Russia An eighth clash on Friday with Brazil, who beat Mexico 2-0 earlier on Monday.

BEELINE

With his central defender Vincent Kompany for the first time since he had accumulated a groin injury during a warm-up match, Belgium had Air sure on the back but uninspired for a first period. were at the top but without teeth.

The two teams clashed in a tight midfield, but their attackers froze in the box and Belgian players Meunier and Yannick Carrasco did not take any chances, transforming a 3- 4-3 in a more conservative team. -3 system.

Japan came close to a goal in a first half when Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois let the ball slip from his hands and between his legs before crossing the line.

The Japanese were leading shortly after the break, when Haraguchi broke the offside trap and ran into the box to beat Courtois from a cross shot in the 48th minute.

Belgium responded but Hazard's shot shook the post and Japan doubled its total in the 52nd minute when Inui picked up the ball 25 meters and shot a missile in the back of the net.

The Red Devils were still fighting, but they scored a goal after 69 minutes when Vertonghen made a header from one goal to the far corner.

The momentum moved and in the 74th, Eden Hazard's center was met by Fellaini, who tied close with a powerful header within 10 minutes of coming.

Belgium continued to push ahead and Chadli and Lukaku forced Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to make spectacular saves with powerful headers four minutes from time.

Keisuke Honda's 30-meter free-kick was snatched by Courtois in stoppage time before the goalkeeper sent Kevin De Bruyne the ball before finding Meunier, who was cross by Chadli for the winner.