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Russia 2018: Belgium come from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2

By Mutala Yakubu
Belgium beat Japan 3-2 in Russia 2018
Belgium beat Japan 3-2 in Russia 2018
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Belgium remarkably came from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 in the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 game.


This was one of the best games played so far in the tournament.

A very dull first half saw both teams unable to find a goal and the game ended 0-0 in the first 45 minutes.

The second half came to life and it was Japan that struck first in the 48th minute.

Genki Haraguchi received a well-taken defence-splitting pass inside the box and scored with a powerful shot.

Japan did not rest and surprisingly got their second goal of the day in the 52nd minute.

Takashi Inui collected a pass and decided to shoot from about 22 metres out. The ball zoomed around the goalkeeper and ended up inside the right post.

At this point, the Japanese were on cloud nine but Belgium had to roar back.

Coach Roberto Martinez introduced Fellaini and Chadli.

The substitutes changed the game and Belgium finally pulled one back in the 69th minute.

Jan Vertonghen was quickest to a rebound inside the penalty area, and he planted a header directly inside the right post.

Five minutes later Belgium were level, Marouane Fellaini jumped highest to head in an Eden Hazard cross to make it 2-2.

Belgium had the final say and snatched a 94th-minute winner, Thomas Munier laid a pass to Nacer Chadli who calmly tapped into an empty net to make it 3-2 to Belgium.

Read also:Russia 2018: Brazil in quarters after 2-0 win over Mexico

Belgium will now face Brazil in the quarterfinals.

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