Japan started off well, pressing high up the pitch and coming away with the first two chances of the game.
However it didn’t take long for Belgium to take control of the game and push forward.
Japan defended well but a patient Belgian side eventually found their way past them and came close to scoring on a number of occasions.
Japan survived wave after wave of pressure and slowly started to re-assert themselves in the game.
The Belgians continued to control the majority of the ball but Japan were giving them problems on the counter.
Japan also came closest to scoring, after Belgian keeper Thaibaut Courtois nearly produced the howler of the tournament before quickly recovering.
In the end the first half ended scoreless, but in the second half it was a different story.
A through-ball wasn’t properly dealt with by the Belgian defence, allowing Genki Haraguchi to pounce and put Japan ahead.
Eden Hazard nearly responded right way but his effort rocketing off the post.
Then just moments later Belgium were rocked to their core, as Takashi Inui found space to hit one from outside the box.
He fired his effort past the keeper to put Japan up but two and Belgium had just under 40 minutes to recover.
They tried to push forward but Japan was defending well and looking dangerous on the counter.
But with 20 minutes to go Jan Vertonghen produced a moment of magic via an astonishing header.
The keeper punched the ball away but Vertonghen stood his ground and calmly headed the ball over the keeper and into the net from a tough angle to get his side back in the game.
Then shortly after, substitute Marouane Fellaini did the job was sent on to do, getting on the end of Hazard’s cross to bring Belgium back level.
It was end-to-end football from there, with both sides pushing forward looking for a winner.
Japan came close right at the death, but they were the victims of their own attack.
In the 95th minute a Belgian counter-attack saw Chadli come on the end of some great attacking play and place the ball past the keeper to break Japanese hearts.
After an astonishing, highly entertaining game of football, Belgium came back from two goals down to win 3-2 with the final kick of the game.
Full time
Belgium 3
Japan 2
Belgium will be looking to book a place in the quarterfinals when they take on Japan. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am AEST.
It’s been a World Cup full of surprises – and Japan’s progression into the Round of 16 is certainly one of them.
The Blue Samurai will be inspired by Russia’s performance against tournament-favourites Spain, which saw the 2010 champions eliminated via a penalty shootout.
Despite a good start to their campaign, Japan scraped through to the Last 16.
After losing 1-nil to Poland in the final group stage game, it looked like their tournament would be over.
But twist of fate saw them go through ahead of Senegal on FIFA’s ‘fair play’ rules.
They’re the first side to go through to the knockout stage via that system.
The game against Poland did also see them rest six key players, who should all return ready for the biggest game their lives.
Belgium have become many people’s picks to win the competition.
They kept their momentum going by defeating England 1-nil in the final game of the group stages, securing top spot on the table.
The Belgians are also one of two sides who have won all of their cup games so far. The other being Croatia, who will play Russia in the Quarter-Finals after being Denmark on penalties.
Romelu Lukaku didn’t have a great season at Manchester United but he’s been on form for his nation. He’s scored four goals this tournament and will be chasing the Golden Boot.
England’s Harry Kane currently leads the tally with five.
Prediction
We’ve seen plenty of already surprises this tournament and if Japan can stay focused and drag the game to penalties they may be able to get a result.
However, Belgium have Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, two players who can carve open any defence in the world.
Expect Belgium to book their place in the Quarter-Finals.
Belgium 2 – 0 Japan
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am AEST.
Futsu
Guest
Hi! I discovered the movie. Zidane play at Bordeaux. His pass is cool! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr0T8ewE83Y King regards
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
I feel so bad for Japan. They were fantastic and didn't deserve to lose like that. They played really well and put up the best performance of an AFC nation in the past 3 World Cups. So close to progressing to a quarter finals match, like North Korea and South Korea did for the AFC in the past. That Belgium first goal was sooo lucky, it was a fluke, he didn't mean to score - it was a misdirected centering header that fooled everyone, including his team mates. Then Fellaini actually pushed over the Japanese defender, his hands right in the middle of the back, to score the Belgium second goal. No referee's whistle or VAR reviews. Foul play. And the final goal was a heart breaker, virtually the last kick of the game, the final blow, like the Italy penalty against the Footballroos in 2006. Well done Japan and the other AFC nations to help bridge the gap with the other continental football federations at this world cup. Lets keep the momentum going. That Asian Cup is going to be a beauty and it will be very hard for us to retain the title of mens Asian Champions..
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Lukaku has redeemed himself brilliantly with that winning goal The run he made to set up space for debruyne to pass , then to suck the defence in for chadli to tap in . What a great game Japan were absolutely terrific.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined me and The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Japan started off well, pressing high up the pitch and coming away with the first two chances of the game. However it didn't take long for Belgium to take control of the game and push forward. Japan defended well but a patient Belgian side eventually found their way past them and came close to scoring on a number of occasions. Japan survived wave after wave of pressure and slowly started to re-assert themselves in the game. The Belgians continued to control the majority of the ball but Japan were giving them problems on the counter. Japan also came closest to scoring, after Belgian keeper Thaibaut Courtois nearly produced the howler of the tournament before quickly recovering. In the end the first half ended scoreless, but in the second half it was a different story. A through-ball wasn't properly dealt with by the Belgian defence, allowing Genki Haraguchi to pounce and put Japan ahead. Eden Hazard nearly responded right way but his effort rocketing off the post. Then just moments later Belgium were rocked to their core, as Takashi Inui found space to hit one from outside the box. He fired his effort past the keeper to put Japan up but two and Belgium had just under 40 minutes to recover. They tried to push forward but Japan was defending well and looking dangerous on the counter. But with 20 minutes to go Jan Vertonghen produced a moment of magic via an astonishing header. The keeper punched the ball away but Vertonghen stood his ground and calmly headed the ball over the keeper and into the net from a tough angle to get his side back in the game. Then shortly after, substitute Marouane Fellaini did the job was sent on to do, getting on the end of Hazard's cross to bring Belgium back level. It was end-to-end football from there, with both sides pushing forward looking for a winner. Japan came close right at the death, but they were the victims of their own attack. In the 95th minute a Belgian counter-attack saw Chadli come on the end of some great attacking play and place the ball past the keeper to break Japanese hearts. After an astonishing, highly entertaining game of football, Belgium came back from two goals down to win 3-2 with the final kick of the game. Full time Belgium 3 Japan 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+5' - FULL TIME That was the last play of the game. Japan were so close but so far. Belgium come back from two goals down to book a place against Brazil in the Quarter-Finals! BELGIUM 3 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - GOAL BELGIUM! Jubilation for Belgium, heartbreak for Japan! One last counter-attacking play from Belgium sees the other substitute, Chadli, pass the ball past the keeper! BELGIUM 3 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - Honda has a go from 40 or so metres and Courtois is forced to make a save. BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Belgium have had to go the aerial route to get back in this . Lukaku should have wrapped this up already Great game
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Four minutes of time added on. BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Courtois is forced to make a save and Japan have a corner! BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Belgium are pushing forward and forcing some desperate defending from Japan, who at this point are probably waiting for the full-rime whistle! BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
87' - Vertonghnen hits the ball towards goal but the keeper can get down in time. BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
86' - DOUBLE SAVE! Chadli and Lukaku are both denied by great saves from Kawashima! BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Kurt
Guest
And right on cue Belgium score twice.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
84' - Honda gets a chance in the box and it took some last ditch defending from Vincent Kompany to deny him a goal! BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
82' - Shibasaki comes off for Yamaguchi and Haraguchi comes off for Honda in a double change for Japan. BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - Belgium take the corner short and it doesn't come off. Considering how much taller they are than Japan they really should have put that one in the box. BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - Belgium have another corner and some big men in the box. Their corner results in another corner. BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - Lukaku's header is just wide of the mark! BELGIUM 2 JAPAN 2