ROSTOV-ON-DON (Russia)- A Nacer Chadli strike with 20 seconds left in stoppage time set up a quarter-final date for Belgium with Brazil, after the Red Devils overcome a two-goal deficit against a Japanese side who fought tooth and nail in Rostov.
Goals for Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Iniu within six minutes of each other in the second half suggested that perhaps the biggest upset of the World Cup yet was on the cards, but Belgium showed their character by fighting back with three goals in the last 25 minutes to claim the win.
It was a hugely demoralizing climax to the game for Japan, who only qualified for the round of 16 by virtue of having a received fewer yellow cards than Senegal, the team they finished deadlocked within Group H.
The round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan has kicked off in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders is attending the game against Japan, according to an announcement made by the Foreign Ministry’s press service.
Belgium won all three of their group-stage games, 3-0 in a game with Panama, 1-0 in a game with England and destroyed Tunisia 5-2. In its turn, Japan beat Colombia 2-0 and finished runners-up in their group ahead of Senegal on fair play points because the African side received more yellow card throughout the tournament, having the same number of points and the same goal difference.
The national teams of Belgium and Japan played last time in 2002, the game ended in a draw 2-2.
