In the oven's door

In the Rostov Arena on Monday, Japan snatched a spot in the quarterfinals from Belgium with a 2-0 lead early in the second half. However, they did not count on the 'Devils' asserting their dominance to turn the score around.

The game seemed to lean towards the Japanese strategy, which despite not having ball possession, bet on closing their defenses and going on the counterattack. The opportunity came at minute 48 with a goal by Henki Haraguchi, who took advantage of a mistake by defender Vertonghen to send the ball far from Courtois.

Belgium seemed to react after the shock, but Japan was in high spirits and at minute 52, a great goal by Inui made it 2-0, finding space from outside the area after a precise touch from Kawaga. Victory seemed assured for the 'Blue Samurai' with a perfect blow.

Although the Belgian defense seemed broken, the reds did not give up and at minute 69, Jan Vertonghen started the comeback thanks to a poor clearance by goalkeeper Kawashima that allowed him to connect with a monumental header from the edge of the area that went into the top corner of the goal.

The tie came soon after thanks to the skill of Roberto Martínez Montoliu, who at minute 65 brought in Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli. It was the former who, after a cross from Hazard, was able to head the ball to beat Kawashima once again for the 2-2.

Both teams were already preparing for extra time when, in the 4th minute of added time, Courtois starts off a counterattack after a corner kick from Japan. The breakthrough comes with Meunier, who passes the ball to Lukaku, who skillfully lets it pass for Chadli to score without marking.

That's how a new spot in the quarterfinals is defined in the 2018 Russia World Cup. The Red Devils will face Brazil this Friday, July 6th at the Kazan Arena.