Nacer Chadli scored a stunning injury-time winnner as Belgium fought back from 2-0 down to defeat Japan 3-2 and advance to a World Cup quarter-final showdown with Brazil.
Chadli's superbly worked goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time was the final act of an epic last-16 battle that saw Belgium become the first team in 48 years to successfully overturn a 2-0 deficit in a World Cup knockout game.
The last time a team came from 2-0 down to win a World Cup knockout game was Germany against England in 1970.
The Red Devils will face five-time champions Brazil in Kazan on Friday after scoring three second-half goals without reply to break Japan's dogged resistance.
Goals by Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui in four devastating minutes had put Japan 2-0 up early in the second half to leave Belgium reeling.
However, the Red Devils responded with quick goals of their own as Jan Vertonghen, at fault for Haraguchi's goal, and Marouane Fellaini both scored headers before Chadli's dramatic winner in Rostov.
Relieved Belgium manager Roberto Martinez saluted his side's resolve.
Not only the teams and the managers, the entire footballing fraternity hailed the two teams for their commitment and hailed the match as one of the best so far in the World Cup.
What. A. Game.
Belgium come back from down 2 goals to beat Japan and advance to the quarterfinals!#BEL #JPN #BELJPN #WorldCup #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/fsPbQPabvaWhat a switch of the game ,Japan really played a good first half.
Congrats to the Belgium squad they showed the teamspirit until the end. Bravo .This tournament is the best I've ever seen. This country 🇷🇺 has risen to the occasion!! Come and enjoy it if you can ⚽️
World Cup wow! You have to feel for Japan!
WOW that counter attack masterclass to win the game. What a dummy from Lukaku🙌🙌🙌🙌 Questions about #BEL character answered tonight!!! #WC2018
Waoh, what a game and what a finish! #WorldCup18
English footballer Gary Linekar's tweet summed up not only the match but the two teams involved and the World Cup in the perfect way.
What a goal from Unui. This World Cup is absolutely nuts.
And surely the English team too is also having the same thought.
Thank heavens England avoided Japan.
Apart from their performance with the ball both Belgium and Japan played positive football, which didn't involve any diving or play acting and VAR wasn't used in the match at all. The game only witnessed end-to-end football. There was only one booking in the entire match.
And Twitter made sure both side were congratulated for keeping up the spirit of the game.
Interesting. VAR barely got a mention during #bel 3-2 #jpn. No diving, no play-acting. Football the way it should be, both sides going for the win, no bus parking, Fanbloodytastic! @fifaworldcup @GaryLineker @paddypower
This is one of the most cleanest games I have seen so far this worldcup, no fouls, no cards, no divings, no VAR drama, just plain, clean, interesting football. Thank you Japan & Belgium#BELJPN pic.twitter.com/AVEJGVKbCz
#BELJPN is the most positive match in the #Worldcup so far.
I can't remember any medical team running onto the pitch for treatment.
No fooling around. Just pure football. Two teams going for victory.Belgium's 'golden generation' have now scored 12 goals in four games in Russia ahead of a last eight clash on Friday with Brazil, who beat Mexico 2-0 earlier on Monday.
Yeah Brazil watch out Belgium is gonna rock it Friday! @BelRedDevils @chrisbenteke @DeBruyneKev @hazardeden10 @dries_mertens14 @RomeluLukaku9 @VincentKompany @many_others_I_forgot #BELJPN #BEL #RedTogether #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/OGBDM8cObW
#BELJPN
GERMANY,SPAIN,PORTUGAL,ARGENTINA FANS:😂😂😂they are going home too
CHADLI,FELLAINI: pic.twitter.com/cbMzUBMYJtWhen you turned off #BELJPN because the score was 2-0 only to find out that #BEL came back to win 3-2: pic.twitter.com/q2xDnw5zJi
The Japanese team, which was on the cusp of history, were also cheered for displaying character and true grit.
That Belgium and Japan game #BELJPN pic.twitter.com/eJSSH6lhuv
Asian King 💥👏 #BELJPN pic.twitter.com/afd7CRtpuC
(With inputs from Reuters)
(For complete FIFA World Cup 2018 coverage, click here to visit our special WC page.)
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