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Belgium came back from two goals behind to book a spot in the quarter-final of the World Cup. A 94th-minute winner from Nacer Chadli was what it took to separate the sides at the Rostov Arena. Having won the game 3-2, Eden Hazard and his boys will play Brazil in the quarterfinals.
The match started off with fine intensity, as both sides played some free-flowing football with no major threat on goal. Kagawa had the first sight, dragging an effort wide off the post. As expected, the Belgians saw more of the ball whereas Osako and co. relied on their counter-attacking prowess.
Witsel blazed a couple of shots over the crossbar and Kompany's indirect set-piece threat added to Belgium's dominance but the biggest chance fell to Lukaku from close range, who couldn't sort his feet out to bury the ball into the back of the net.
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While the defensive shift was the main priority, the Asian side enjoyed some space in the wide areas. Although the game was played with lots of purpose, neither side was able to grab it by the scruff of the neck.
Another highlight of the first-half was a moment where Courtois almost let a rolling ball land in goal but collected it just in time to save himself from embarrassment.
The second-half turned out to be nothing less than a World Cup classic. Seven minutes into it, Japan netted twice to put one foot into the quarter-final. Genki Haraguchi pounced on a mistake by Vertonghen to slot one past Courtois and hence, leave the Chelsea keeper with no chance.
Just when it looked like Belgium would shift gears, Japan's superstar in Takashi Inui scored an absolute beauty to double the lead. Vertonghen cancelled out his mistake with an accurate looping header onto the back post, before super-sub Marouane Fellaini restored parity with an excellent header.
Goals were expected in the second-half, but not in this fashion. Both teams upped the ante and continued to create openings in a fixture filled with drama. Eiji Kawashima made a double save to deny Nacer Chadli and Romelu Lukaku.
However, the defining moment came when Belgium counter-attacked through a De Bruyne move, which involved Lukaku and Chadli. The latter won the game for his country.
Here are 5 players who underwent the most contrasting of outings -
#5 Best: Nacer Chadli
Off the bench, on the score sheet.
Roberto Martinez silenced his critics by bringing on Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli. Both of them were involved in direct contributions, and if a player scores the winner in a pre-quarterfinal in the final minute of an intense World Cup match, he deserves to be on this list.
Chadli looked positive right from the word go. Along with fresh legs, he brought in a sense of grit and sharpness into the game.
His first contribution was a 40-yard run, wherein he skipped past three defenders, sustained challenges to stay on his feet and take Japan's midfielders out of the equation. This was just one of the few remarkable runs he made.
His dribbling coupled with his balance struck fear in the opposition's minds. Chadli advanced forward, linked up play with Hazard and counter-attacked with precision.
Last but not the least, he claimed the all-important touch of the game. A true match-winner.
#4 Worst: Yannick Carrasco
Time and time again we ask the same question, "Does Carrasco really fit into this system, especially as a left-wing back?" Yet again, we have the same answer - no.
Right from the very first minute, his weak header handed Kagawa a chance to shoot. Since then, he had a busy evening running up and down the pitch.
Speaking of his defensive contribution first, Carrasco was caught out of position way too many times. Every time Japan won the ball back, one could find Carrasco out of his assigned place. Even when the Blue Samurais built an attack from the back, he couldn't quite read the passes or tackle with conviction. In the air, he was awful. It almost seemed as though he had lost the desire to win an aerial battle.
Going forward too, he was rather ordinary. In the early exchanges of the game when the Red Devils looked to charge forward, Carrasco didn't exploit the large space given to him. Often, he settled for a back pass or lost the ball while trying to complete a take-on. His creativity was almost negligible.
#3 Best: Shinji Kagawa
Although Takashi Inui and Genki Haraguchi got onto the scoresheet, it was Shinji Kagawa's energy and craft that worked wonders for the Asian outfit, on a night where not many predicted Japan to score two against the likes of Alderweireld and Kompany.
The former Manchester United midfielder ran down various channels, founds empty pockets of space down either flank and always invited a pass.
The main highlight of his game was his composure. He may not be the swiftest with the ball, but Kagawa's technique and dribbling skill gave him an upper edge. He was very productive yet safe in possession, creating chances, playing give-and-go's, stretching the opposition defence and chipping in with good crosses.
He always got the better of Witsel, who was too static to chase his excellence.
Kagawa also ran the extra yard to help his side defensively. He won possession back many a time for his side and never stopped running.
#2 Worst: Romelu Lukaku
The whole of world football knows full well that Lukaku fails to announce himself in the big games. Yet again, when his country needed him most, he wasted one too many clear-cut chances.
Let's start off with his hold-up play. Gen Shoji read all the passes played to him and shut him down more often than not. The Japanese centre-half always had Lukaku's next move checked and thus, got the better off him.
The Manchester United forward was too slow on the ball at times. He couldn't sort his feet out when the opportunity was there from a few yards distance from goal.
Next, he got away from his marker to reach a fine-tuned cross, but what happened next was a mess. Lukaku leapt high, timed his header well, but sent it way off-target. Should have scored here again.
He missed another easy chance. Nacer Chadli burst into life as he surged forward and tested the goalkeeper, but in the same instance, the rebound fell to Lukaku, who directed a free header straight to Kawashima, who made a fantastic save.
When your team is 2-0 down and the game is opened up on both sides, the manager and your fans expect you to thrive on every single opportunity that comes your way.
He really needs to pull his socks up for the acid test against Brazil.
#1 Best: Eden Hazard
The captain led by example gave it all his heart and energy and orchestrated a series of attacks for Belgium.
Eden Hazard is too tough to catch. This only means that he was too fast for the Japanese defenders and hence, drew a lot of fouls for his side. Behind almost every attack, the Chelsea winger had a part to play.
He weaved past defenders, created chances, held the ball up well and provided the best of passes. Due to his touch and intelligence, the 27-year-old carved out chances in plenty, feeding his striker, spreading the play and splitting the Japanese defence.
Hazard's counter-attacking abilities were unleashed too, as his change of pace was too hot to handle. He tested the opposition keeper too, and beat him on one occasion too, but only to be denied by the frame of the goal. Nonetheless, world-class players know how to take centre-stage.
He picked up the ball with a good touch, shifted it to his left foot to beat the defenders and then delivered a peach of a cross to Fellaini, which resulted in the equalizer.
Who do you think shone at the match? Let us know in the comments section below!
