Belgium 3-2 Japan: 5 Talking Points as Belgium mount an unbelievable comeback over Japan, World Cup 2018

Scoreline: Belgium (Jan Vertonghen 69', Marouane Fellaini 74', Nacer Chadli 90+4') 3-2 Japan (Genki Haraguchi 48', Takashi Inui 52')

Belgium and Japan played out arguably the game of the tournament so far during their FIFA World Cup round of 16 knockout clash at the Rostov Arena.

The Blue Samurais from Asia were so close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the competition after they had taken a comfortable two-goal lead early on in the second half. Genki Haraguchi opened the scoring in the 48th minute following a swift counter-attack that completely exposed Belgium at the back.

Takashi Inui scored with a stunning effort from outside the penalty area to give Akira Nishino's men a resounding lead just four minutes later.

However, the game completely turned on its head in the last 20 minutes of regular time as the Red Devils clawed their way back into the thick of the action, thanks to some inspiring substitutions coupled with their hunger to never give up on their hopes.

Jan Vertonghen found the back of the net with his head in the 69th minute to initiate one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history and just five minutes later, second-half substitute Marouane Fellaini restored parity between the sides after he got on the end of a delightful cross from Eden Hazard.

Nacer Chadli scored the winner with virtually the last kick of the game to break Japanese hearts and send Roberto Martinez's men through to the last eight of the competition.

Belgium will now face Brazil in the quarter-finals on Friday at the Kazan Arena. Without further delay, let's take a closer look at the major talking points from the game:

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#1 Resilient Japan almost pull off the big upset

Japan was so close to scripting World Cup history of their own

In the build-up to this knockout clash between the tournament's red-hot favourites Belgium and the Asian contingent's sole representatives in Japan, it is safe to say that nobody gave the Blue Samurais any chance whatsoever.

However, Akira Nishino's men defied the odds on the night and almost went on to script one of football's greatest underdog stories before being picked apart rather mercilessly in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Despite only securing qualification to the pre-quarters from Group H with the help of their disciplinary record, Japan was not fazed by the magnitude of the occasion and came out with an intent to play brilliant attacking football.

They proved to be cagey at the back in the first half and quickly made the transition shortly after the beginning of the second forty-five to secure full control of the game with two well-taken goals.

However, their efforts were not enough in the end as Belgium pushed for a win and got the goals that would eventually break the Japanese hearts, who dared to dream right from the first kick of the ball.

#2 Uncharacteristic Belgium need fine-tuning

Martinez might want to consider better ways in which he can utilize De Bruyne

Belgium looked like a shadow of the side that romped to a 5-2 win over Tunisia, arguably their best performance of the tournament so far, during the group stages and struggled to find an opening for prolonged periods in the game.

Japan's rigid structure at the back while defending surely deserves credit but without the shadow of a doubt, Roberto Martinez's men were far from convincing in the initial stages of the game.

The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku failed to stamp their authority on the game in the first half and were uncharacteristically not at their usual standards.

De Bruyne is a fabulous footballer capable of playing a variety of roles but his abilities are more suited to play higher up the field in a free-role rather than playing alongside Axel Witsel from a deep position in midfield.

The players might have redeemed themselves in the second half by playing a key role in the goals that completed the comeback but it is as clear as daylight that tactically superior sides would have put Belgium to the sword.

#3 Takashi Inui bows out after leaving a lasting impression

Inui has played a crucial role in Japan's campaign and it is just the beginning

Japan's World Cup hero Takashi Inui has always had to wait for his opportunities in life and his rise to prominence has been inspiring to say the least.

The winger made his professional debut with the Yokohama F Marinos in his homeland back in 2007 but was soon shipped out on loan to second division outfit Cerezo Osaka.

Inui scored 20 goals in the 2009/10 season to secure their promotion to the top-flight and impressed yet again to secure a dream move to Germany with VFL Bochum.

However, he was sent out on loan yet again and helped Eintracht Frankfurt secure top-flight status from the second tier before he secured a move to La Liga with Eibar, three years later.

After making 88 appearances over the course of three years with the La Liga minnows he is now set to join Real Betis after he returns from the World Cup.

At the age of 30, Inui continues to inspire plenty of youngsters in Asia who now believe that hard work and perseverance can help you go a long way in life.

The winger has been in sublime form for the Blue Samurais throughout the tournament and he is always capable of producing moments of magic like he did against Belgium today when he scored that audacious goal.

#4 Martinez's last roll of the dice merely luck or pure genius?

It could've gone horribly wrong for Belgium but Martinez figured it out somehow in the end

Roberto Martinez was completely outmaneuvered by his opposite number, Akira Nishiro, for the majority of the game and it almost seemed like Belgium were heading for yet another knockout stage exit in an international tournament.

Japan were tactically superior on the night and was set up in a particular way to take full advantage of the space left behind by Belgium's wing-backs, a potential weak link that was exposed to good effect by the movement of Inui and Genki Haraguchi with Shinji Kagawa supporting them down the middle.

However, after being outplayed for the majority of the game, Martinez responded by making a double change in the 65th minute by bringing on Marouane Fellaini in place of the ineffective Dries Mertens and Chadli for Yannick Carrasco in the wide role.

The gamble paid off handsomely as both players got on the score sheet for the Red Devils after Jan Vertonghen pulled a goal back in the 69th minute.

Luck favours the brave and it certainly worked in accordance with Martinez on the night but was it pre-meditated? Only he knows..

#5 Belgium will face their biggest test yet in the form of Brazil

Belgium can't afford any lapses in concentration against Brazil

Belgium have been enjoying a steady unbeaten run for quite some time now and their last defeat came way back in September 2016 but the truth is they haven't really faced any of the big guns in world football during that time.

Apart from a 0-0 draw against Portugal, all of their wins have come against teams like Gibraltar, Estonia and Saudi Arabia.

Post Euro 2016 they also suffered a loss against Spain in Roberto Martinez's first game in charge of the side and if the performance against Japan is anything to go by, then it is safe to say that Belgium will have their task cut out against Brazil in the quarter-finals.

However, performances like these in big tournaments can be inspiring to the whole squad and if they can use it as a spring-board while preparing for the clash against the Selecao, then we should be in for a treat on Friday.

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