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As it happenedended

Belgium vs Japan LIVE World Cup 2018: Goals, updates and reaction from a thriller in Rostov

Follow all the action from the last-16 clash in Rostov

Molly Hudson
Monday 02 July 2018 16:01 EDT
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Belgium World Cup profile

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Belgium eventually eased their way past Panama then made light work against Tunisia in their opening group games. They qualified as Group G winners after beating England 1-0 in a game they made wholesale changes for.

Japan secured qualification from their group in the most extraordinary manner. They were level on points, goal difference and head-to-head record with Senegal who were in the last ten minutes of their game against Colombia. Those standings remained the same and Japan edge through as Group H runners up due to picking up less yellow cards than Senegal.

The sides met in a friendly match in November 2017 where Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game.

Follow all the action in the live blog below


What time is it?

Belgium vs Japan kicks off at 19:00 at the Rostov Arena.

Where can I watch it?

BBC will be showing live coverage on BBC1 and online on the BBC Sport website

Odds

Belgium: 2/5

Japan: 9/1

Draw (90 minutes): 7/2

Prediction

Belgium 2-0 Japan. Japan have been extremely well drilled in their group games but are unlikely to have the individual quality to cope with Belgium’s impressive playmakers and forwards.

All bark and no bite...can Belgium improve on this in the second half? 

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 19:56

SECOND HALF: We are back underway

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:03

48 mins: GOAL! Belgium 0-1 Japan (Genki Haraguchi)

It's a goal for Japan! Haraguchi capitalises on some poor defending from Jan Vertonghen and keeps his calm to fire into the corner

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:07

49 mins: We said the game needed a goal, and it's got one. Almost immediately Hazard bends an effort towards goal and hits the post! Now we have a game on our hands!

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:08

52 mins: GOAL! Belgium 0-2 Japan (Takashi Inui)

What a strike a long range effort from Inui is struck perfectly! It's two for Japan and it's stunned Belgium!

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:11

55 mins:Here comes the biggest test for Belgium. Can they pull together as a team, or will they become frustrated?

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:12

57 mins: Carrasco with a wild effort high and wide of the goal. Not the greatest response from Belgium to going two goals down

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:14

59 mins: Witsel manages to turn a vicious cross out for a corner. Japan's first of the game

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:17

62 mins: CLOSE! Lukaku must score with a header but manages to somehow push it across the face of goal! 

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:20

65 mins: Fellaini ON Chadli ON Mertens OFF Carrasco OFF

Long ball to Fellaini anyone?

Molly Hudson2 July 2018 20:22

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