Moscow, July 3 (TNS): A heroic performance from Japan on Tuesday gave football fans a treat to watch in a heart-racing thriller, as they suffered defeat in the end at the hands of Belgium 3-2 in stoppage time at the Rostov Arena.
Genki Haraguchi gave Japan a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute against all odds, as Japan filled with confidence sparked the second half.
Takashi Inui than scored a thunderous volley from outside the box to stun the world as Japan led 2-0 with half an hour to go.
Belgium’s fightback than came in the 69th minute as Vertonghen scored a sumptuous header from an impossible angle following a set piece, the Red Devils were back in the game.
Eden Hazard who was a nuisance for Japan’s defence created the equaliser as Fellaini scored a thumping header from six yards, it was all square and anyone’s game.
The drama, however, came in the second half in an end to end football game with waves of attack on both sides.
Japan had a corner, to win the game at the death but the tables turned with a counter attack from Belgium De Bruyne shifted the gears on the right wing as the ball was delivered in by the man on the wing, Lukaku made an expected Dummy to Lend Nacer Chadli a clear chance to become a hero and nestle the ball into the net on the last kick of the game.
Belgium had done it, and Japan were shell-shocked.
The Red Devils will now face Brazil on 6th July in the quarter-finals at 11 pm.
