A day after two games were decided on penalty kicks, Belgium managed to up the drama considerably on Monday, defeating Japan 3-2 on what…
A day after two games were decided on penalty kicks, Belgium managed to up the drama considerably on Monday, defeating Japan 3-2 on what was basically the final kick of the game.
With just over 20 minutes left in the game, it looked as if the very talented Belgians would be sent home by a tenacious Japan side they had been expected to dispatch with ease. That’s because Japan had carried out their high-intensity, pressing strategy to perfection, never allowing their opponents to feel comfortable on the ball, and building up what looked like an insurmountable 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui just after halftime.
But then Belgium went back to basics and started booting long crosses into the box, hoping to use their massive size advantage to get back into the game. And it worked.
In the 69th minute, defender Jan Vertonghen, whose mistake led to Japan’s first goal, put in a 20-yard header from a tight angle to get his team back in the game. It looked as if he’d meant to center the ball for one of his teammates, but ended up beating Japan’s otherwise fantastic keeper, Eiji Kawashima, instead. Then, in the 74th, substitute Marouane Fellaini, one of the most reviled players in world soccer, smashed in a header off a corner to bring the two teams level.
Having finally figured out a way to deal with the high press, the Belgians continued to serve the ball into their big men. Still, thanks to several incredible saves from Kawashima, Japan remained in the game, breaking off on the occasional counter-attack as the game wore on. And it was one of those forays into Belgian territory that resulted in the corner that led to their eventual downfall.
In the final minute of stoppage time, Japan put a counter into the box that was plucked out of the air by Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois. He immediately rolled the ball to midfielder Kevin DeBruyne, who dribbled the ball to the halfway line before hitting a streaking Thomas Meunier to the right of the box. The right-back delivered an inch-perfect cross that striker Romelu Lukaku skipped over, leaving it for substitute Nacer Chadli to slam into the back of the net for the win.
It was a stunning end to an even more stunning comeback. Despite being the star-studded side, the Belgians had been made to look ordinary by a Japan side that never let them rest. Though he’s not the most tactically astute of managers, Belgium’s Roberto Martinez recognized this and went to Plan B — using the size advantage provided by players like Fellaini and Lukaku to swing things Belgium’s way. And it wasn’t just this shift in strategy he got right, as the players he brought on, Fellaini and Chadli, delivered the equalizer and game-winner.
Belgium didn’t play beautiful football over the final 25 minutes, but it was more than effective in an elimination game, and for a team looking to finally cash in on its talent, that’s all that matters.
On a day of great goals, Vertonghen’s header to start Belgium’s comeback stood out because of how strange it was. The defender somehow managed to score from a long, looping header from about 20 yards out to give his side new life in a game it looked like they had lost. He may not have meant it, but who cares.
Sweden vs. Switzerland, 10 a.m., Fox
It’s far from the most glamorous game of the Round of 16, but the matchup of two very solid European sides provides an opportunity neither team expected coming into the Cup. Thanks to Spain’s early exit, their side of the World Cup bracket is wide open, giving the winner of tomorrow’s game a legitimate shot at making the final.
Colombia vs. England, 2 p.m., Fox
England seemed to go out of its way not to win Group G so it would have an easier path to the final. Of course, they may have been thinking too far ahead, as they’ll have to beat a good Colombia side to get to the quarterfinals. Colombia is expected to be without star James Rodriguez, who exited the last game with a calf strain, but that doesn’t mean they’ll go down easily.
