Belgium put Japan in the 94th minute, the coup de grace

Belgium is in the quarter-finals of the World Cup like four years ago. And this after a 0-2 deficit against Japan

Until the 69th minute was in Rostov-on-Don after Germany (1), Portugal (4) and the # 39, Argentina (5) with Belgium also number 3 FIFA world before the end. Belgians defeat Japan 2-3 after a 3-0 defeat

Belgians do not even need extra time for change. Nacer Chadli scored the winning goal after 93 minutes and 45 seconds at the end of the last minute. The Belgians countered Japan in the last attack. A few seconds earlier, Keisuke Honda had forced Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make a free kick over 20 meters. The Japanese seemed far too euphoric in the last corner and were punished

A turning point for history books

Belgium faces Brazil in the quarterfinals – and must intervene. Because the favorite of the world championship revealed weaknesses against Japan. Only thanks to the effort of three goals in 25 minutes, the Belgians can still hope. More recently, such reversals only reached Germany in 1970 in Mexico in the quarterfinals against England (3: 2 nV after a 0: 2 deficit) and 1982 in semi-final against France (victory on penalties after a 1: 3 return to 3: 3 in overtime.)

In general, these tournaments have only been six times in the final of world Cup. The most famous of these games is the "Miracle of Bern", where Germany beat 3-2 in the Wankdorf World Cup final in 1954 after a 0-2 defeat.

"These are stories just like those just to be written at the World Championships," greeted at the end of Belgium's Belgian coach Roberto Martinez. "For my team, this 0 deficit: 2 was a character test. We passed this test. And she will motivate my team even more. Our reaction showed what is in this team.

Coach Martinez has a touch of gold

Coach Martinez has started the turnaround. He had with the exception of Vincent Kompany, who returned to the team after a long break as a defensive leader, set up exactly the players who had clearly defeated in the first round Panama (3: 0) and Tunisia (5: 2). After a deficit of 0 to 2, Martinez responded with substitutions – and he showed a golden touch. Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli scored goals for respectively 2-2 and 3-2

Belgium scored both the 1: 2 and 2: 2 header. First goal of the international record Jan Vertonghen, who looked miserable at first base, was also a good chance. Vertonghen's head 13 meters away and under a very unfavorable angle flew over the magnificent Japanese guardian Eiji Kawashima to the far corner.

Although the first goal fell in a lucky way, Belgium gained miraculous recovery. The Flemings and Walloons responded to the backlog and the imminent departure was surprisingly clarified for a team that is not used to such situations. Since September 2016 and a 0-2 draw against Spain, Belgium has remained undefeated in 22 international matches (17 wins, 5 draws). Before Vertonghen's first goal, Romelu Lukaku had two excellent chances (62nd and 69th).

The two Japanese goals came in 256 seconds early in the second half. Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui defeated Courtois with shots placed. Meanwhile, Eden Hazard opened the scoring in the 49th minute for Belgium. Japan, which had defeated only Colombia in the preliminary round and who had progressed only thanks to the note of fair play, then gave more chances to the hand.

Belgium – Japan 3: 2 (0: 0)

Rostov-on-Don. – 41'466 spectators. – SR Diedhiou (SEN). – Goals: 48. Haraguchi 0: 1. 52. Inui 0: 2. 69. Vertonghen 1: 2. 74. Fellaini 2: 2. 94. Chadli 3: 2.

Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Miller, De Bruyne, Witsel, Carrasco (65th Chadli); Mertens (65th Fellaini), Lukaku, Eden Hazard.

Japan: Kawashima; Hiroki Sakai, Yoshida, Shoji, Nagatomo; Hasebe, Shibasaki (81. Yamaguchi); Haraguchi (81st Honda), Kagawa, Inui; Osako.

Notes: 50th Post Shot Eden Hazard. Warnings: 40. Shibasaki (fault).

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