Reactions to last-minute Belgian victory

What a second half! What a return! Favorite secret Belgium once again seemed to be a favorite in the round of the knockout round of the World Cup against Japan, but then made an incredible turnaround. 0-2 were the "Red Devils" after a double Japanese whammy just after the break, 3: 2 that was the end.

Nacer Chadli completed in the 94th minute a counterattack to victory, the "Blue Samurai" sought after a corner something euphoric and naive the winning goal and were bitterly punished in return. Belgium on the verge of delirium – Japan on the ground

Only such inversions were made in Germany: 1970 in Mexico in the quarterfinals against England (3: 2 after a deficit of 0: 2) and in 1982 semi-final against France (Victory in penalty shoot-out after a 1: 3 to 3: 3 overtime win.)

There were only six World Cup finals: Germany had a deficit of two goals in a 3: 2 knockout overtaken in 1970 against England in Mexico Franz Beckenbauer, Uwe Seeler with the back of the head and Gerd Müller for the victory

The most famous game: the "miracle of Bern", as Germany in 1954 in the final of the World Cup in Wankdorf Hong after a deficit of 0: 2 defeated 3: 2.

"Generation of gold" of Belgium has now won the "Miracle of Rostov". Immediately after the break, the secret favorite did not know how it had happened to him. The Japanese skated the slow defense clearly. It looked like this:

But in the end, as everyone knows, the Belgians applauded. Because their class still prevailed and because coach Roberto Martinez proved a good hand. Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli scored goals for respectively 2-2 and 3-2

"These are stories written only for the world championships," said the Belgian coach after the match. "For my team, this 0: 2 backlog was a character test. We passed this test. We are further away, it is the most important thing. This game will motivate my team even more. Our reaction showed what is this team. "

Kevin De Bruyne analyzed the game like this:" You still have difficult situations in football. But we knew we would have our chances. We could have played safely at 2: 2, we could have gone more time. But we wanted the 3: 2. "In the end, then followed the big challenge:" I think we saw in the 94th minute at our counter, what the team wants. We want to win the World Cup. Whoever wants to become world champion must win everything.

Belgium has not lost 23 times in a row (18 wins, 5 draws). After the end of the quarter-finals of the World Cup against Argentina and the end of the quarter-finals of the Championship of Europe against Wales, the eternal secret favorite is finally ready for the big shot. However, the most difficult test is awaiting the quarter-finals of this World Cup: the world record champion of Brazil. There, the "Red Devils" must finally prove that they can be the new Germany.

The mood of the Japanese is very different. Coach Akira Nishino was beaten with the spell after the final whistle: "Not only did we play well but we had to win, our team was pretty good." But in the end, the only disappointment for the Japanese – and the respect of everyone in football – have almost made the next big surprise at this World Cup.

The reactions of (football) Importance

(before / nda)