Football has always been a game of immense emotion, an emotional roller-coaster. 5 goals in 46 second half minutes in the game between Japan and Belgium reminded us of that once again.
After a goalless and somewhat one-sided first half where Belgium saw most of the ball, the second half had it all. A quick start to the second half for Japan was duly rewarded.
Experienced defender, Jan Vertonghen's missed interception in the 48th minute after a clever through ball from Shibasaki gifted Japanese number 8, Genki the chance to open the scoring which he took brilliantly. Belgium played a 3-4-3 formation and throughout the match as with the opener, Japan exploited the space between the wide center backs and their respective wing-backs.
In the next few seconds, it was Eden Hazard who almost instantaneously brought Belgium back into the tie with his shot cannoning off the post.
It was a high intensity match now. And Japan had their moment again in the 52nd minute through Inui. Inui, one of Japan's standout performers in the 2018 world cup firing an unstoppable shot into the bottom right corner. A lot of credit should be given to Shinji Kagawa (a man who needs no introduction), one of Japan's best exports in European football. Kagawa did brilliantly in controlling the ball on the edge of the Belgian area before squaring the ball to Inui for the finish. Belgium were 2 goals down within the first 7 minutes of the second half!
Japan continued to apply pressure and Belgium coach, Roberto Martinez knew some changes were needed. In the 65th minute he made a game changing double substitution. Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli coming on for Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco. These two men would go on to grab Belgium's 2nd and 3rd goals.
In the 69th minute, it was Vertonghen, the man who missed the interception for Japan's opener that breathe life back into the Belgian team. Scoring a superb looping header after Japan had failed to deal with a corner. A bit of redemption for the defender though he didn't really need it. He had already produced a standout performance on the night in defense.
Within five minutes just as Japan did earlier, Belgium grabbed a 74th minute equalizer through Fellaini. A towering header from the Manchester United midfielder. Belgian captain Eden Hazard with the superb cross to set it up.
It was all action from this point with both teams feeling they could win it. Both goalkeepers being called into action a number of times to keep their teams in it. Japanese goalkeeper, Kawashima in particular the busier of the two goalkeepers. He pulled a superb double save around the 86th minute to deny Meunier and Lukaku.
4 minutes of added time were to be played after 90 minutes of regulation time. I personally would have loved 30 minutes extra time because the game was so intense but both teams clearly wanted the win in regular time.
Three minutes into the four added time minutes, Japan had a free-kick which another one of their well known European exports took. Honda forcing Courtois into a save from distance. Japan had a corner with a minute and some seconds left which they thought was their last attempt before extra time to get a win.
Belgium had plans of their own though. And after a defensive clearance, Kevin De Bruyne led the charge on a counter attack with what looked to be the last action of the game. De Bruyne eventually sending the ball to the right for Meunier who hit a low cross into the area for Lukaku. Lukaku read the play perfectly, and with a dummy let the ball slide to Chadli who just couldn't miss from close range. Belgium going through with what was the last kick of the game.
Japanese hearts broken after what seemed to be another unbelievable victory for the Asian side.
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