World Cup 2018: Belgium Shocks Japan With Stunning Rally
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia — Belgium arrived at the World Cup as dark horses, bringing both a roster bulging with talent and question marks about its mental toughness. Could this be the group to power through the knockout rounds and avoid falling by the wayside like the talented yet ultimately doomed Belgian teams of past World Cups?
The Belgians went a long way in answering those doubts on Monday with a stirring, come-from-behind, 3-2 victory, the likes of which haven’t been seen at the knockout stage of the World Cup for almost 50 years. The electrifying comeback, featuring five second-half goals capped by a 94th-minute winner, sent Belgium to a quarterfinal matchup against the five-time World Cup champion Brazil in Kazan on Friday.
Midway through the second half, though, it looked like Belgium’s next destination would be home. The Belgians trailed by 2-0 against Japan, the only team from Asia to reach the knockout stage in this tournament of surprises, and looked almost certain to join the ranks of big-name casualties. Then, a fluke goal in the 69th minute followed by another five minutes later suddenly tied the game, and Belgium snatched the win with a stunning, sweeping play finished off by the substitute Nacer Chadli, sending what was practically the final kick of the game into the Japanese net.
The comeback was complete, recalling West Germany’s rallying from two goals down to beat England at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico — the last time such a deficit had been overcome in the knockout stages.
“There are not many games you can overcome 2-0,” Roberto Martínez, Belgium’s Spanish coach, said with a smile surely borne of relief as much as joy. “It’s down to the personality, focus, the never-give-up attitude of players.”
Exactly what kind of threat the Belgian players posed was hard to determine before Monday night’s game, played in sweltering conditions in a city about 700 miles south of Moscow. The Red Devils had brushed aside Panama and Tunisia in its first two games before edging England 1-0 in a World Cup equivalent of an exhibition game, with both teams already qualified for the knockout rounds.
Japan, in contrast, stumbled into the second round by virtue of having received fewer yellow cards than Senegal in Group H, a hitherto unseen World Cup tiebreaker. But Russia 2018 has already proved to be a tournament full of strange turns.
After a soporific first 45 minutes ended scoreless, more than 40,000 spectators at the Rostov Arena had little reason to expect the remarkable, rollicking second half that awaited them.
It started quickly, just three minutes into the second period. Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, who plays with Tottenham in England, uncharacteristically whiffed in trying to stop a through ball from Gaku Shibasaki, and Genki Haraguchi collected it and arrowed a shot into the bottom left corner of Thibault Courtois’s goal.
Belgium, like a boxer who after a blow to the jaw, seemed stunned, and Japan took advantage. Takashi Inui doubled the lead four minutes later, thundering a shot into the right corner from outside the area.
It seemed a devastating turn for Belgium. But those setbacks set the team free, Martínez said. His team began to play as if it had nothing to lose.
“We played our first half almost with a fear of not being able to fulfill the tag of being favorite,” he said.
Eden Hazard, the mercurial forward who had pinged a shot off the post minutes before Japan’s second goal, said his mind drifted back two years, to Belgium’s shocking quarterfinal defeat to Wales at the 2016 European Championships — an upset in which Belgium squandered an early lead.
“But we were also thinking if we can score goals the game is on,” he said. “We have players that can change a game, we brought players from the bench who made the difference.”
And that’s exactly what happened. First, Vertonghen atoned for his error with a strange looping header that floated just over Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, and then the substitutes began to make their presence felt.
Nine minutes after entering the field, Marouane Fellaini, a skyscraper-like midfielder with Manchester United, powered an unstoppable header off a cross from Hazard to tie the game.
The game continued to fluctuate wildly from end to end. Japan, still pressing for a victory, forced two saves from Courtois in stoppage time — including one that would eventually lead to Chadli’s winning goal.
Courtois snatched a corner kick out of the air with 93:30 on the clock. He laid it off to midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who surged up field before feeding a streaking Thomas Meunier to his right. Meunier sent a low pass into the area that Romelu Lukaku, in an act of remarkable coolness, allowed to roll through his legs and into the path of Chadli for a simple finish.
The remarkable comeback complete, Belgian players mobbed the goal scorer while their Japanese opponents slumped to the ground, some to their haunches and others flat on their backs.
Akira Nishino, Japan’s coach, stood stunned on the sidelines in his shirt sleeves, unable to comprehend what had happened to his team. He remained that way for several seconds until Martínez walked over to break the spell. It was real. Japan had somehow succumbed in the most painful way possible.
Nishino was still suffering the effects 30 minutes later. “When we conceded the goal,” he said, before pausing for several seconds, “I was questioning myself whether I had control of the game. We were 2-0 up, and still the score was reversed. I don’t think it was the players’ fault, it was me who might have lost control of the game.”
It was Belgium that stayed in control, finding a way out of a crisis that previous generations of gifted Belgium teams had not escaped. Perhaps the “golden generation” tag that this team has carried around like a lead weight may finally yield the kind of success that eluded the Belgians in France two years ago and at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
There, it ultimately bowed out to Argentina in the quarterfinals after defeating the United States in the round of 16. Star struck, it played within itself, its fluency strangled by anxiety. But after overcoming Japan in the most outrageous of circumstances here, perhaps Belgium will not find Brazil, with its frightening record of success and its galaxy of talent-rich players, as frightening as it might have before Monday. And Belgium gets to be the underdog again, a status that Martínez revels in.
“I don’t think anyone expects us to get to semifinals,” he said. “From our point of view, we can really enjoy it from the first second.”
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Here’s how Belgium beat Japan:
FULL TIME: Belgium 3, Japan 2
In the dying seconds, Belgium breaks and gets a 4 on 3. Thomas Meunier slides it across, Romelu Lukaku dummies the ball and it goes to Nacer Chadli, who strokes it in as Japan backpedals. What a comeback!
90’ + 4: GOAL! BELGIUM LEADS
Nacer Chadli sends it home after it’s tipped to him by Lukaku. Belgium has done it.
90’ + 2: Kompany Draws Whistle
The referee Malang Diedhiou calls Vincent Kompany for a trip, giving Japan a free kick.
90’ +1: Disaster Averted for Belgium
Witsel tries to clear a ball back for a corner, but it tips Osako, and Courtois is forced to make a diving save. That would have been a howler.
88’: Kawashima Saves Again!
Jan Vertonghen from distance and it’s another Kawashima save. Japan hanging on here.
87’: Two Chances for Belgium Are Blocked
Nacer Chadli and Romelu Lukaku get consecutive in-close headers for Belgium and both draw strong saves from Eiji Kawashima.
85’: End-to-End Stuff
This game continues to be played at a fast pace. If it goes to extra time, fitness is going to be a real issue.
84’: Honda Provides Offense
Keisuke Honda, the new sub, races onto a through ball, and it’s dangerous! But his shot goes wide, and maybe should have been a little better.
81’: Japan Brings In Some Offense
Here comes Keisuke Honda for Japan. Another goal-scoring threat in the game. Hotaru Yamaguchi will also check in.
79’: Lukaku Misses With His Head Again
Chadli’s cross looks good, but Lukaku can’t get the full head to it and it’s wide. Belgium is playing with confidence, understandably.
77’: Who Will Score Next?
Both sides pressing to make it 3-2. A welcome change from some of the cautious play we’ve seen in the World Cup.
73’: GOAL! Belgium Ties It Up
Belgium have fought back! Marouane Felliani leaps highest for Hazard’s inch-perfect cross and heads it home. Great substitution. This is the rampant Belgium we expected!
73’: Belgium Pushing
Belgium feeling it now as Alderweireld stumps a shot just in front of net wide.
72’: Corner for Japan
Yuto Nagatomo’s cross is a little short and Belgium clears it away. The ensuing corner is also short.
69’: GOAL! Belgium on the Board!
What a header from Vertonghen! He was near the end line and somehow belted it in from an impossible angle and distance. The game is back in the balance!
67’: Bad Corner for Japan
A corner for Japan. Gaku Shibasaki can’t find any of his teammates and sends it in short.
66’: Here’s Fellaini
Belgium will see if Marouane Felliani can change things. He checks in for Mertens, and Chadli comes in for an ineffective Carrasco.
65’: Japan Almost Makes It 3-0
Sakai crosses, and Haraguchi lunges for it. That could have been 3-0, but his header goes wide.
63’: Lukaku’s Header Misses
Thomas Meunier puts a nice cross on Romelu Lukaku’s head and it looks as if we might have a goal for Belgium. But no! It’s just wide.
62’: Japan’s Defense Still Strong
Japan’s defense has not yet showed any signs of slowing. Belgium is still finding a forest of legs to get through, and Lukaku is still not seeing much of the ball.
60’: Belgium Clears
Gaku Shibasaki takes the corner but sends it right to Belgium’s waiting feet.
59’: Corner for Japan
Yuya Osako sends a cross into the box, but Belgium scrambles to clear. Corner coming for Japan.
58’: Can Belgium Dig Out?
Japan’s first goal may have come off a mistake, but the second was a beauty — a seeing-eye scorcher from 25 yards that was unstoppable. Two goals is a deep hole with half an hour to play.
57’: Belgium Misses Again
Now it’s Carrasco’s turn to shoot, but he sends it way over the bar.
54’: Missed Chance for Belgium
Thomas Meunier tries to chip one into the box but he sends it long. Belgium is pressing now, understandably.
52’: GOAL! Japan 2, Belgium 0
Japan passes the ball around with some skill and it eventually finds Takashi Inui at the top of the box. It doesn’t look like a golden chance, but darned if he doesn’t turn and rifle past a diving Courtois! 2-0 Japan! A shock result is on the cards here.
He didn't need much space. Witsel a little lazy on closing out and Inui punishes #BEL. pic.twitter.com/OV7jT2Df90
Via: @TelemundoSports
50’: Belgium Comes Back Quick
Eden Hazard almost equalizes! He hammered a shot and it caromed off the post! Belgium is up for a comeback here.
47’: GOAL! Japan Leads, 1-0
It came through a mistake all right, Vertonghen badly missed a back pass and that put Haraguchi through on goal. He finished clinically and improbably, Japan is in front!
Second Half kickoff!
Belgium will be looking to do better at getting the ball to Romelu Lukaku. We’ll see how long Japan’s defense can keep up the escape act.
To the Winner ...
Next up for the winner of this game: Brazil. On the evidence so far, either of these sides will have a problem in that game.
Halftime: Belgium 0, Japan 0
That was Belgium’s half, statistically.
Shots: 10 to 4.
Corners: 5 to 0.
Possession: 55-45.
Passes: 313-248.
But here’s the stat that tops them all: Japan had 26 clearances in the half — 26! to Belgium’s 5.
45’: One More Blast for Belgium
Romelu Lukaku brings down a ball just outside the box and taps it to Dries Mertens, who fires one to the right corner. Eiji Kawashima dives and makes the catch. Another chance spoiled by the stout Japan defense.
45’: Courtois Almost Lets One Through
Japan counters and shuffles a ball toward goal. It rolls through Osako’s legs, but Courtois spills the easy save, only to pounce on the ball as it rolls to the net. Again, Japan’s best bet to score is through a Belgian error.
44’: Another Threat Ends Up Empty
Belgium in the box. One pass, two passes. But again the third pass, the one bound for Lukaku, is blocked by Japan, and the threat ends.
43’: Japan’s Defense Holds
It’s true that Japan is playing a lot of men back on defense. But full credit: Those men are playing well, always seeming to be in the right place to block a shot or clear the ball.
40’: Yellow for Shibasaki
First yellow of the game to Gaku Shibasaki for a trip.
39’: Belgium’s Fifth Corner
Belgium’s fifth corner (to Japan’s 0) leads to some headers but no shots.
37’: Hazard Blocked
Belgium again, with numbers. Eden Hazard’s shot is blocked, then Witsel’s blast off the rebound goes way over.
35’: Japan Controlling Things
Japan is controlling more of the ball the last few minutes, though its attacks are less ambitious than Belgium’s: kick a long ball and hope for a Belgium error. But goals like that count, too.
32’: Japan Puts Something Together
A good spell of Japanese possession, though mostly at midfield. It ends when Meunier misses a header and Japan suddenly has the ball by the goal. Inui smashes a good header, but the Belgian goalkeeper Courtois is up to the task.
28’: Foul Ends Belgium Attack
A foul by Thomas Meunier ends Belgium’s attack. The Belgians have been in complete control for at least 10 minutes, finding a roaming Lukaku in and around the box.
27’: Another Missed Connection
Belgium whips it around the area, but once again the last ball, from Mertens to Lukaku, is errant and Eiji Kawashima is able to jump on it.
24’: Lukaku Living in the Box
Lukaku gets the ball in front of net but can’t quite get a boot on it as Kawashima hampers him. Closest call yet. It’s all Belgium right now.
23’: Belgium on Japan’s Side
Belgium is spending a lot of time in Japan’s end, but not a lot in the danger zone. Japan is hustling on defense and making clearances (8 so far to Belgium’s 3).
20’: Lukaku Keeps Shooting
Lukaku fires a shot from the half moon, but it goes high. He was perhaps hampered by a slide tackle by Nagatomo. Japan has its hands full with the Manchester United striker.
18’: Lukaku Deflected
Belgium is starting to put things together. Romelu Lukaku brings down a cross from Thomas Meunier inside the box but can’t get a good boot on it. His shot is deflected wide for another corner.
17’: Japan Deals With Belgium’s Corner
Kevin de Bruyne on the corner, give-and-go with Eden Hazard and then a chip to Kompany. That’s textbook Belgium, but Japan clears.
15’: Carrasco Is Blocked
A long run by Hazard leads to Carrasco getting the ball in the area, almost being brought down, but sticking with it and firing a shot that is blocked.
11’: De Bruyne Scares Japan
Kevin de Bruyne flips one into the box for Belgium, and Mertens has his man beaten, but is a half-step too slow to get his boot on it.
10’: Japan Shoots Again
Japan comes right back and makes some noise. Gen Shoji finds some space and decides to go for it. His shot is way over the bar.
8’: Belgium Does Work in the Box
For the first time, Belgium gets an almost-chance. Carrasco and Mertens were in the middle of it, and Lukaku had a quick touch that probably frightened Japan fans. But it’s cleared before a shot can be fired.
6’: Sakai Aggressive
Hiroki Sakai has been an active presence on Japan’s right wing, stealing a pass, then later muscling a Belgian player off the ball. He gets knocked down by Kevin de Bruyne for his trouble.
4’: Free Kick for Belgium
Belgium gets a free kick after Makoto Hasebe tackles a little too roughly. Whistle blows.
2’: Kagawa Fires
A poor clearance by Belgium leads to the first shot by Japan. Kagawa gets it just outside the box and sends it wide. Japan’s offense is definitely more potent with this lineup.
Kickoff!
Here we go. Japan in blue, Belgium in red.
Belgium kicks off, passes it back and there’s a quick early touch for Vincent Kompany, who looks unimpeded by his injury.
Belgium’s Starting Lineup
Goalkeeper: 1 Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
Defenders: 2 Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), 4 Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), 15 Thomas Meunier (Paris St Germain), 5 Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Midfielders: 11 Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), 7 Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), 10 Eden Hazard (Chelsea), 6 Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian)
Forwards: 9 Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), 14 Dries Mertens (Napoli)
The referee for today’s contest is Mr. Diedhiou of Senegal.
Japan’s Starting Lineup
Goalkeeper: 1 Eiji Kawashima (Metz)
Defenders: 5 Yuto Nagatomo (Galatasaray), 22 Maya Yoshida (Southampton), 19 Hiroki Sakai (Marseille), 3 Gen Shoji (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: 17 Makoto Hasebe (Eintracht Frankfurt), 14 Takashi Inui (Eibar), 10 Shinji Kagawa (Dortmund), 8 Genki Haraguchi (Hertha Berlin), 7 Gaku Shibasaki (Getafe)
Forwards: 15 Yuya Osako (Werder Bremen)
Japan’s four goals in this World Cup come from four different scorers: Kagawa, Osako, Inui and Keisuke Honda. Curiously, none of the four were in the starting lineup for the final group game against Poland, perhaps a reason the team failed to score. Today, Kagawa, Osako and Inui are back in the starting lineup and Honda is on the bench, but would be expected to come in at some point.
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