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Belgium go into Monday’s World Cup last 16 match against Japan full of confidence but wary that relying on individual talent against similarly well-organised but less fancied teams has cost them dear in the past. The two teams come into the knockout phase off the back of very different performances — Japan embarrassingly strolled through a 1-0 defeat by Poland to advance by having fewer yellow cards than Senegal while Belgium threw calculations to the winds and saw their second-string beat England’s reserve team 1-0, risking a possible quarter-final against Brazil. Unbeaten in 22 games, Roberto Martinez’s side can take comfort from a 1-0 victory over Japan in a friendly in Belgium last November in which their goal was scored by Romelu Lukaku, who has netted four times in two games in Russia so far and who is available to face Japan after an ankle injury. “The opportunity of facing Japan with the mentality that the group has is a very positive moment for us,” Martinez said ahead of Monday’s match in Rostov-on-Don. Noting Japan had dramatically changed their coach since last year’s friendly — Akira Nishino was brought in just two months ago — he praised the side which beat group winners Colombia in their opening match. “They’re going to be a competitive team,” he said. “They know how to hurt you in a counter-attack.” Nishino has promised a better performance than the antics in the later stages against Poland. “(Fans) were short-changed 10 minutes and they probably got a bit less mileage than usual out of the first 80,” he said. “So I want to pay people back.” After many changes against Poland, the Samurai Blue, who have twice reached this stage but have never gone further, should revert to a lineup including captain Makoto Hasebe, Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa and Yuya Osako up front. It is the first big competitive test of Martinez’s two years of trying to turn a “golden generation” of individual talents with big egos at club level into a national side which can finally live up to its top-five FIFA world ranking. With nine goals and nine points from their three group games, the Belgians are going into the final stages buzzing — and refusing to regret a win over England that leaves them in what looks a much the tougher half of the draw, which includes Brazil, France and Belgium’s World Cup nemesis Argentina. “There’s a real belief,” the Spaniard said. “There is no margin of error… But we’re going to do what we believe in.” Dries Mertens, who is likely to be back alongside Eden Hazard in support of Lukaku after Martinez fielded a virtual reserve team against England, said the players were well aware that they had come up short in the past four years. The Red Devils scraped through at this stage of the 2014 World Cup against the United States, winning 2-1 after extra time, midfielder Dries Mertens recalled, then lost the quarter-final 1-0 to Argentina. “And remember the Wales game,” he said of their 3-1 Euro 2016 quarter-final loss. “Everyone thought we’d go through — we went out. We have that on our minds and it gives us strength.” With inputs from Reuters Click here for full coverage of FIFA World Cup 2018 Click here to view the full schedule of FIFA World Cup 2018
Highlights Belgium vs Japan, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16 in Rostov Arena: Nacer Chadli wins it for Belgium
Belgium go into Monday’s World Cup last 16 match against Japan full of confidence but wary that relying on individual talent against similarly well-organised but less fancied teams has cost them dear in the past.
 "Highlights Belgium vs Japan, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16 in Rostov Arena: Nacer Chadli wins it for Belgium")
That’s it from us!
Belgium leave it late to seal their quarter-final spot and will play Brazil for a place in the semis. Doei!
Heartbreak for Japan
Incredible scenes at Rostov Arena as Japan suffer heartbreak at the hands of Belgium. The Asian nation played superbly only to lose their shape in the last half an hour. Belgium has produced an amazing comeback performance and the kind of momentum and Goodwill generated from such a win could take Belgium all the way. Roberto Martinez’s side, however, needs to shore up their midfield before they take on Brazil at Kazan.
Belgium win at the end
Belgium seal it right at the death with some sublime effort from the Red Devils. Courtois sets off the counter-attack which Meunier and Lukkah follow up with for Chadli to execute a simple tap-in.
Belgium are into the quarter-finals
#BEL have had more unique scorers at the 2018 World Cup than any other side:
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 2, 2018
☑️ Romelu Lukaku
☑️ Michy Batshuayi
☑️ Adnan Januzaj
☑️ Dries Mertens
☑️ Eden Hazard
☑️ Jan Vertonghen
☑️ Marouane Fellaini
Sharing the load. pic.twitter.com/XEAUwUPeU9
Belgium are through to the quarter-finals!
Heartbreak for Japan. Delight for Belgium. As the referee blows the whistle, Japanese players sink to their knees in tears. They were so close to their first-ever knockout win at the World Cup.
90+4` NACER CHADLI SCORES FOR BELGIUM!
Belgium strike right at the end to break Japanese hearts! A lightning-fast counter-attack from Belgium after a Japan corner and Chadli strokes in the ball from Munier’s cross!
90` Belgium 2-2 Japan
Courtois with a save to keep prevent Witsel from scoring at the wrong end. Four minutes added on at the end.
89` Belgium 2-2 Japan
This match is headed towards extra-time and frankly, it has been so much more entertaining than the previous two matches that went it ET
86` Belgium 2-2 Japan
Kawashima keeps Japan in the race with a supreme double save – first from Nacer Chadli and then off Romelu Lukaku. Kawashima has been brilliant at the Rostov Arena today and the custodian seems an immovable rock in front of Japan’s goal.
85` Belgium 2-2 Japan
What an absolutely brilliant double-save from Kawashima! He first flies to keep out Chadli’s header. Chadli recovers the ball and chips it towards Lukaku. However, Kawashima is there to keep out Lukaku’s point-blank header.
84` Belgium 2-2 Japan
Some last-ditch defending from Kompany to keep Keisuke Honda out of the scoresheet. The tempo of the game has slowed down but Japan aren’t willing to give up possession or space, making this an enthralling contest.
83` Belgium 2-2 Japan
Brilliant last-ditch defending from Kompany to block Honda’s effort from close-range.
80` Belgium 2-2 Japan
Double change from Akira Nishino. Shibasaki is replaced by Yamaguchi while Keisuke Honda comes on for the goalscorer Genki Haraguchi.
77` Belgium 2-2 Japan
Everyone is on the edge of their seats at this pulsating thriller of a game with absolutely no respite for either defence. The game has totally opened up and Belgium’s feat of becoming the first team in 48 years to come back from two goals down in a World Cup fixture has raised expectations of the crowd from Hazard and co.
76` Belgium 2-2 Japan
20 goals have been scored so far in the 2018 World Cup last sixteen; already two more than in the 2014 tournament.
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 2, 2018
We are getting treated. pic.twitter.com/UBbyKJGf8D
75` Belgium 2-2 Japan
And just like that, Japan’s magnificent lead has vanished. This knockout has been a true World Cup classic and there are still fifteen minutes plus stoppage time to play.
Belgium one goal away from doing it!
2 - The last team to come from two goals down to win a World Cup knockout round match were Germany against England in 1970. Mountain. #BEL #JPNBEL #WorldCup
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 2, 2018
74` Fellaini scores! Belgium are in back in it!
The big man is at the right place to head in Eden Hazard’s cross!
71` Belgium 1-2 Japan
Alderweireld with a vital intervention to deny a cross from reaching Osaka at the near post.
70` Jan Vertonghen pulls one back for Belgium!
And Belgium are back in it! A sensational header from Vertonghen after Japan failed to clear their lines has decreased the deficit for the European nation but a mammoth task still lies ahead for Martinez’s side.
68` Belgium 0-2 Japan
Splendid defending from Maya Yoshida to prevent Lukaku from scoring!
67` Belgium 0-2 Japan
Japan look the most likely to score the next goal. Sakai latches on to a cross from Inui and sets up Osaka whose strike is saved by Courtois.
65` Belgium 0-2 Japan
Belgium are in dire trouble and less than forty minutes to overturn the deficit.
64` Belgium 0-2 Japan
Double substitution from Belgium as Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli replace Mertens and Carrasco.
61` Belgium 0-2 Japan
What a golden chance for Lukaku to score! Munier’s cross is a very good one and Lukaku connects well with his head but the ball misses the post by inches.
59` Belgium 0-2 Japan
6 - This is Japan's highest ever goal tally in a single World Cup tournament. Pack. #JPN #JPNBEL #BEL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/X5EcN3tlu2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 2, 2018
A historic goal for Japan
1 - Genki Haraguchi's goal was Japan's first ever in the World Cup knockout rounds. Composed. #JPN #BELJPN #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/6k2kyYrEGb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 2, 2018
53` Belgium 0-02 Japan
Japan are absolutely decimating conventions here. Belgium are in trouble as Takashi Inui extends Japan’s lead with a fantastic volley. Kagawa had teed off Inui who set himself up with a soft first touch and then unleashed a rocket of his right boot.
52` Takashi Inui doubles Japan’s lead!
What a brilliant goal from Inui! Arrowed it right past a diving Courtois and into the bottom corner!
49` Belgium 0-1 Japan
Belgium almost snatch an equaliser but Hazard’s shot from inside the box cannons back off the post!
48` Belgium 0-1 Japan
The game had barely settled after restart of play and Japan are 1-0 up at Rostov Arena. Vertonghen messes up an interception allowing Japan and Haraguchi to charge down the right channel and Japan’s No. 8 places his shot perfectly past Courtois to give Japan the lead.
48` Genki Haraguchi gives Japan the lead!
A quick counter-attack from Japan and the Blue Samurais take a shock lead!
Second half begins
Neither side makes any changes at halftime.
HT. Belgium 0-0 Japan
It’s goalless at halftime in Rostov Arena – Belgium with most of the chances especially when Japan defended like their life depended on it. While Belgium always looked the more menacing of the two sides to get the first goal, perhaps due to the presence of world-class talents amongst them, it was Japan who were more assured in possession. Moving the ball around with slick passes, Japan are pulling off one of the most dominant midfield displays of recent times over Belgium, but the final product is imperative for the Asian country to make their mark on the game.
Dominant.
26 - Belgium have had 26 touches in the opposition box during the first half against Japan (the most by a team before half-time in a game at the 2018 World Cup), but they have only attempted two shots on target. Bark.#WorldCup #BEL #BELJPN pic.twitter.com/Z5fPzpEMZt
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 2, 2018
HT! Belgium 0-0 Japan
An entertaining but goalless first half comes to an end.
45` Belgium 0-0 Japan
What a gaffe from Thibaut Courtois – Belgium’s No. 1 almost has his own Robert Green moment as he spills Osaka’s stab at the ball into his own net, only to realize the danger and collect the ball.
44` Belgium 0-0 Japan
Courtois nearly lets the ball in from between his legs after failing to pick-up a loose ball. He recovers to dive and prevent the ball from rolling into the net.
43` Belgium 0-0 Japan
Belgium are probing and prodding, but Japan’s par excellence defensive display is the reason behind the scoreline still remaining goalless at Rostov Arena.
41` Belgium 0-0 Japan
Crucial intervention from Nagatomo at the far post to deny Munier to head the ball in off Carrasco’s cross.
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