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The Red Devils are surprised by the Japanese, but put things in their place
Belgium met expectations. But the Red Devils had to go through a purgatory of which they do not come out almost alive.
In the last breath of the match, Nacer Chadli crowned a sudden counterattack that started by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois yesterday defeated a tough Japan 3-2
Belgium will face Brazil in the quarterfinals, their second Consecutive World Cup in which he reaches the instance. But it was not easy. Had to overcome a garrafal error of his defense and a 2-0 disadvantage for a rival who has never been intimidated.
Quite the contrary. Japan took the lead early in the second half when Jan Vertonghen failed to clear a ball and allowed Genki Haraguchi to only enter against Courtois to shoot him and open the scoring. . Four minutes later, at 52, the bad moment became a nightmare for the Belgians when Takashi Inui shot an accurate shot from outside the area and dug the gap with the Asians.
"This is a character test. The team," said coach of Belgium, Spanish Roberto Martinez. "You have to see how the replacements react, as the whole team reacts in general."
In Search of Hope
But if anyone could give hope to Belgium, it had to be him who had ripped it off. Vertonghen was caught with one last corner shot and at a very low angle he took a long header that overcame goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to improbably nestle at the back of the net. Vertonghen's intention was not to finish the goal.
It was the spark that triggered the Belgian reaction.
Only five minutes later, the score was equal, the Belgian confidence was revived and the Japanese illusion disappeared. All with the head of Marouane Fellaini
"When we were 2-0, I really wanted another goal and we had our chances," said Japanese coach Akira Nishino. "We controlled the game to a certain extent, but Belgium tightened when necessary."
Tension seized the arena of Rostov and a Japanese team that was in the minutes to enter the quarter-finals for the first time. Courtois grabbed a corner kick and quickly handed the ball to Kevin De Bruyne through the center of the field. Manchester City midfielder ceded Thomas Meunier to the left, who sent a cross from the top.
Romelu Lukaku, who scored four goals but was frustrated throughout the night, skilfully passed the ball past Chadli. who drilled the nets to end a suspense story that did not lack any ingredients.
Belgium became the first team to reverse a two-goal deficit in the knockout phase since Germany defeated Nishino described the atmosphere in the Japanese locker room in 1965 [19659015whatdoeshesaytothemasaconsolation?
"Go take a shower," he replied. "They were standing, doing nothing," added the Japanese coach. "I will speak to you when you return to the hotel" – AP
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