The trend of unpredictable and thrilling matches continued at the World Cup on Monday, when Belgium staged an incredible comeback to defeat Japan.
Down 2-0 in the second half, Belgium stormed back with three goals to become the first country to overcome a two-goal deficit in the knockout round of the World Cup since West Germany defeated England in 1970.
Belgium defeats Japan in a World Cup classic
Japan surprised many by advancing to the Round of 16, losing their final group match to Poland on purpose, and advancing on a tiebreaker. The Japanese had their work cut out for them against Belgium, but a pair of goals at the start of the second half had Belgium on the ropes.
A well-placed pass allowed Genki Haraguchi to sneak past the Belgian defence, and the Japanese winger beat Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the back post.
#JPN TAKES THE LEAD!!!!
Genki Haraguchi scores to give Japan a surprise lead over heavily favoured #BEL! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/AsvOmssb3l
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
Nobody expected Japan to pose a serious threat to the Belgian Red Devils, but Takashi Inui added a second goal for Japan just four minutes later.
WHAT'S HAPPENING!!! #JPN SCORES AGAIN!!!
Inui scores on a ROCKET 🚀🚀🚀 to give Japan a 2-0 lead over #BEL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/uhcQHCD54B
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
As every minute passed it looked as though Japan might pull it off. Finally in the 69th minute Jan Vertonghen pulled a goal back to give Belgium hope.
#BEL IS BACK IN IT!!!
Vertonghen scores on a header from WAYYYYY OUT to cut #JPN's lead in half…now 2-1…set for a wild finish!#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/bCOQCnAWXZ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
The stage was set for the comeback, and midfielder Marouane Fellaini evened the game at 2-2 in 74th minute.
#BEL TIES IT, THIS GAME'S A THRILLER!!!!😲😲😲
Fellaini scores the tying goal on a header (obviously)! Now 2-2 & this match is WIDE-OPEN! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/9339uYifzT
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
There were chances for both sides during the dying minutes of the match, but Belgium broke Japanese hearts when Nacer Chaldi scored the match winning goal literally seconds from the final whistle.
W H A T A F I N I S H!!!!!!!!!!!!😲😲😲😲
MATCH OF THE #WORLDCUP!!!#BEL grabs the WINNER in the final moments of the match to advance to the Quarterfinals pic.twitter.com/t8mVl8KA5w
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
Back in Belgium, people literally freaked out when Chadli scored.
Brazil’s drive is still alive
After being embarrassed 7-1 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, Brazil has been on a mission to redeem themselves. Mexico, meanwhile, were looking to make it past the Round of 16 at the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
The South Americans have already won the World Cup five times, a record, but they needed to get past Mexico first to keep their quest for a sixth championship alive. It wasn’t an easy game for Brazil, who were locked in a scoreless draw until Neymar poked home the first goal of the game in the 51st minute.
NEYMAR SCORES!!!!#BRA take a 1-0 lead as Neymar scores his 2nd goal of the #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/urxZrcuLzw
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
Mexico were determined not to give up, and Carlos Vela came very close to tying the game just a few minutes later.
#MEX isn't going to go down without a fight…and they're getting close to a goal of their own #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ge0R5wgPAH
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
In the end it was Brazil who prevailed, with Neymar setting up Roberto Firmino for an insurance goal in the 88th minute.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!!!!#BRA takes a 2-0 lead as Neymar assists Firmino #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/I7lZsWTJu9
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 2, 2018
The big win kicked off a samba-style celebration by Brazilian soccer fans around the globe.
Brazil and Belgium will meet each other in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Tuesday’s games
The Round of 16 wraps up on Tuesday, with Sweden and Switzerland in action first, followed by Colombia and England later in the day.
- Sweden vs. Switzerland (7 am PT / 10 am ET)
- Colombia vs. England (11 am PT / 2 pm ET)