Match Review (RO16): Belgium v. Japan

Belgium v Japan
Score: 3-2
Goals: Haraguchi 48', Inui 52', Vertonghen 69', Fellaini 74', Chadli 90+4'
Possession: 56-44
Shots: 24-11
Man of the match: Kawashima (5S)

In one of the most exciting matches at this year's World Cup Belgium broke Japan's hearts in stoppage time. The match started off really slow with Japan surprising Belgium with their fluid passing play. Despite the positive play from the Japanese, Belgium were the only team to create a clear chance. The only chance of the first half fell to Man United man Romelu Lukaku. Napoli starlet Dries Mertens sent in a bending cross from the right wing and seemed to find Lukaku for an easy tap-in. But the Belgian couldn't get the ball out of his feet, and the ball ended up being cleared for a goal kick. For the rest of the half, the Japanese kept frustrating Belgium with their passing and movement and relatively strong defense. But in the second half, the Japanese turned their positivity into goals. Their first goal came from a devastating counter-attack as Shinji Kagawa played in Haraguchi with a defense-splitting ball. Haraguchi was in on the right-hand side as he shook off Vertonghen with one more move before he took on the shot. He smashed his strike perfectly in the bottom corner to give the underdogs the surprise lead. Belgium though came forward just 30 seconds after the opener as Mertens squared all ball across that box which found Chelsea man Eden Hazard. Hazard's strike clanged off the post to the relief of Kawashima who was easily beaten. Japan though continued to push forward and doubled their lead just two minutes later. Again on the counter-attack, Kagawa laid the ball off to star midfielder Takashi Inui who decided to smash it towards the net. It was an almost perfect strike as it went past Courtois in the bottom right-hand corner to stun the Belgians. The match continued and as people probably expected Belgium took control again. Belgium, after enough pressure, found a goal back which gave them hope. It came from a failed clearance which was booted in the air. The ball fell to center half Jan Vertonghen who looped a header over the keeper and into the back of the net. Then following the goal manager Roberto Martinez made two very calculated chances and brought in Fellaini and Chadli both who made tremendous impacts. The first of the subs made an instant impact grabbing the equalizer. When Eden Hazard lofted a delicious cross from the left-hand side for the big man in the box. Fellaini towered over the tiny Japanese defense and headed home. Then the match simmered. But in the last moments of the match, both teams had opportunities to win it. For Japan, they won a free kick from about 35 yards out. Japanese hero Keisuke Honda stepped up and hit a fantastic knuckling effort towards Courtois. But the Belgian read it well enough and pushed it out for a corner. But from the corner Belgium punished Japan. Belgium won the ball back off the corner and immediately pushed forward for one final attack before the final whistle. Meunier got himself in an advanced position with the Japanese defense in shambles. He played a ball across the box and the second substitute Nacer Chadli was on the end of it and won the match for Belgium. Belgium will face Brazil in a star-studded matchup in Kazan on Friday.