Belgium Have Knocked Japan Out Of World Cup With Last Kick Of The Game

I never, ever want this World Cup to end. Belgium have produced one of the best comebacks of the tournament against a determined Japan side, who were unlucky to lose the game after going 2-0 ahead in the second half.

Japan have never won a World Cup knockout match and they have never reached the quarter-finals but today, of all days, goals from Takashi Inui and Genki Haraguchi in the second half shocked the world.

But Belgium came fighting back and were eventually too strong for their opponents.

Belgium certainly had their chances, with Eden Hazard hitting the post shortly after Japan's goal while Romelu Lukaku missed a huge opportunity to claw back the tie.

Akira Nishino's side were tactically outstanding, though, containing their attacking threat perfectly. You won't see a better display of high pressure and closing down for some time.

Just check out the scenes in Japan when the goal went in. Priceless.

This really has been one of he greatest World Cup tournaments of all time.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_