World Cup 2018: 3 reasons why Belgium managed a stunning comeback win against Japan

Scoreline: Belgium 3-2 Japan

Belgium survived a mighty World Cup scare and as a result, produced one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the competition. Japan proved their worth last night by giving Belgium a proper run for their money. But despite trailing 2-0 at the hour mark, Belgium managed to hit three in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Jan Vertonghen initiated the comeback with a lucky looping header that tricked everyone on it's way to the back of the net. Marouane Fellaini then scored an equalizer five minutes later, using all his aerial prowess to power home a header. And then came the winning goal!

Nacer Chadli got to the end of a stunning counter-attack and helped the Red Devils to one of their famous World Cup nights. Belgium now face mighty Brazil in the quarterfinals on Friday. Before that, let's first analyze the three major reasons that led Belgium to a face-saving 3-2 win over Japan:

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#3 Impact substitutions

Marouane Fellaini again played a pivotal role for Belgium

Japan had brilliantly worked out Belgium's game plan. The Blue Samurais exploited the space behind the full-backs and pressed high to cut short the supply to their midfielders. Yannick Carrasco and Alex Witsel were poor and it led Japan to stand themselves strongly on the ground.

The Asian side scored two quickfire goals in the second half to sent shockwaves around the Belgian camp. Roberto Martinez reacted in the best possible way and made an important double substitution. On came Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini - the two players that got on the scoresheet and the two players that made the most impact in the final quarter.

Chadli provided balance on the left flank and combined his attacking runs with his defensive duties comfortably. Meanwhile, Martinez went the Mourinho way and utilized Fellaini in the best possible manner. Japan struggled all night with crosses into the box and it was that inefficiency that led them to surrender a gigantic lead.

#2 A change of system

Japan's threat forced Roberto Martinez to tinker his formation

Roberto Martinez's 3-4-3 system has probably been discussed more than the recent Donald Trump - Kim Jong-Un meet. The system does not seem to favour the players at his disposal and the Japanese exploited it to the fullest. The fullbacks on whom Martinez's entire system revolves had a poor game.

But with a double substitution after going 2-0 down, Belgium applied a fluid system drifting between 4-4-2 and a 4-4-3. This helped the Belgians in regaining control of the midfield as they found a way to beat the Japanese press. Lukaku and Fellaini helped with the physicality whereas Kevin De Bruyne was given more freedom to surge ahead.

A couple of positive changes and a shift in strategy led Belgium to extend their stay in Russia. It remains to be seen whether this is the last time we will see Belgium's 3-4-3 formation in the World Cup. Martinez must dump it to have a solid midfield and to provide freedom to his MVP - Kevin De Bruyne.

#1 A blitzkrieg of a counter attack and a show of character

Nacer Chadli finished off one of the moves of the World Cup

9.94 seconds. This was the difference between Japan holding out for a draw and extending the game into extra time and Belgium scoring a stunning winner. All it took was 9.94 seconds for the Red Devils to get from one end of the field to the another.

Thibaut Courtois caught the ball from a Japan's corner and immediately released De Bruyne. The midfield maestro ran with the ball and played a perfect through ball to Thomas Meunier who then played it on to the path of Romelu Lukaku. The big man showed great awareness to dummy Meunier's pass and let Chadli have an open goal to aim at. Belgium 3-2 Japan. All in 9.94 seconds.

Belgium showed immense character on the biggest of stages to find three goals in the space of 20 minutes. We have seen other golden generations fail the moment tragedy strikes, but with Belgium it is different. This set of players held their nerves despite going 2-0 down and scripted another fine chapter in this rollercoaster of a World Cup.