After a goaless first half, the Blue Samurai stunned the star studded Belgian side with an early lead in the second half after Genki Haraguchi scored for Japan in the 48th minute following a quick counter attack, which began from when a Belgium player was dispossessed off the ball in his own half.
The Japanese struck again with a second goal that saw them dreaming of a final spot among the last eight with Takashi Inui hitting a cracker past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from outside the box.
Sensing the danger of elimination, the Red Devils manager, Roberto Martinez, made a flurry of substitutions, and it was two of those substitutes who decided the match in the European team’s favour.
Japan failed to clear their lines following a wave of attacks by Belgium and the ball fell to defender Jan Vertonghen, whose powerful header lobbed over goalkeeper Eiji Kawashim onto the back of the net.
Belgium’s captain, Eden Hazard, turned the heat on the Japanese defence when he provided a piece of skill and sent a left-footed cross into the box, which was powerfully met and converted by substitute Marouane Fellaini in the 74th minute.
The comeback of the Red Devils is complete in the fourth minute of added time after another substitute, Nacer Chadili, poked in a low cross Thomas Meunier onto the back of the net.
Chadili’s goal came up following a bristling counter attack led by Courtois and facilitated by Kevin de Brunye after majority of Japan’s players had gone up field to attack a corner kick the Belgian goalpost.
Brazil will now face another European team, Belgium, in the quarter finals of the competition on on July 6.
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