Match report

Belgium Defeats Japan 3-2 in Thrilling World Cup Match

Belgium
Belgium
3–2
FT
Japan
Japan
Jul 2, 2018

Belgium staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Japan 3-2 in a pulsating World Cup match. Japan took an early two-goal lead, but Belgium rallied through goals from Vertonghen, Fellaini, and Chadli to secure the win.

Key Facts

  • • Japan took the lead through goals by Gaku Shibasaki and Tadanari Lee (52')
  • • Belgium equalized with headers from Jan Vertonghen (69') and Marouane Fellaini (74')
  • • Nacer Chadli sealed the victory for Belgium with a goal in the 94th minute
  • • Gaku Shibasaki received a yellow card for Japan in the 40th minute
  • • Substitutions by Belgium at the 65th minute included Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco

Lineups

Belgium

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 T. Courtois (G)
  • 4 V. Kompany (D)
  • 5 J. Vertonghen (D)
  • 2 T. Alderweireld (D)
  • 6 A. Witsel (M)
  • 7 K. De Bruyne (M)
  • 15 T. Meunier (M)
  • 11 Y. Carrasco (M)
  • 10 E. Hazard (F)
  • 14 D. Mertens (F)
  • 9 R. Lukaku (F)

Substitutes

  • 8 M. Fellaini
  • 22 N. Chadli
  • 3 T. Vermaelen
  • 12 S. Mignolet
  • 13 K. Casteels
  • 16 T. Hazard
  • 17 Y. Tielemans
  • 18 A. Januzaj
  • 19 M. Dembélé
  • 20 D. Boyata
  • 21 M. Batshuayi
  • 23 L. Dendoncker

Japan

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 E. Kawashima (G)
  • 17 M. Hasebe (M)
  • 22 M. Yoshida (D)
  • 5 Y. Nagatomo (D)
  • 19 H. Sakai (D)
  • 3 G. Shoji (D)
  • 14 T. Inui (M)
  • 10 S. Kagawa (M)
  • 8 G. Haraguchi (M)
  • 7 G. Shibasaki (M)
  • 15 Y. Ōsako (F)

Substitutes

  • 4 K. Honda
  • 16 H. Yamaguchi
  • 2 N. Ueda
  • 6 W. Endo
  • 9 S. Okazaki
  • 11 T. Usami
  • 12 M. Higashiguchi
  • 13 Y. Muto
  • 18 R. Oshima
  • 20 T. Makino
  • 21 G. Sakai
  • 23 K. Nakamura

Timeline

  1. Japan
    40' Japan Card · Yellow Card
    Gaku Shibasaki

    Foul

  2. Japan
    48' Japan Goal · Normal Goal
    G. Haraguchi · Assist: Gaku Shibasaki
  3. Japan
    52' Japan Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Inui · Assist: S. Kagawa
  4. Belgium
    65' Belgium subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Dries Mertens · On: M. Fellaini
  5. Belgium
    65' Belgium subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Yannick Carrasco · On: Nacer Chadli
  6. Belgium
    69' Belgium Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Vertonghen
  7. Belgium
    74' Belgium Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Fellaini · Assist: E. Hazard
  8. Japan
    81' Japan subst · Substitution 1
    Off: G. Haraguchi · On: K. Honda
  9. Japan
    81' Japan subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Gaku Shibasaki · On: H. Yamaguchi
  10. Belgium
    90'+4 Belgium Goal · Normal Goal
    Nacer Chadli · Assist: T. Meunier

Match Stats

Stat Belgium Japan
Fouls 13 9
Pass Accuracy 87% 81%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 24 11
Corners 10 6
Total Passes 595 450
Yellow Cards 0 1
Blocked Shots 7 3
Shots on Target 8 4
Shots off Target 9 4
Possession 57% 43%
Accurate Passes 515 366
Shots Inside Box 14 7
Saves 3 5
Shots Outside Box 10 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Belgium's substitutions at the 65th minute, bringing on Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco, marked a turning point in the game
  • ▸ The equalizer by Jan Vertonghen in the 69th minute shifted the momentum back to Belgium
  • ▸ Marouane Fellaini's goal in the 74th minute solidified Belgium's comeback, setting the stage for Nacer Chadli's late winner