Brazil and Belgium advance to QFs, Mexico and Japan eliminated
  • 6 years ago
Let's get the latest from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
More excitement in Monday's round of 16 games.
Brazil swept aside their regional rivals, Mexico, with relative ease.
Belgium had to dig in,... but eventually overcame Japan in a thrilling encounter.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
The day's first game brought together Group D winners Brazil and Group F runners up Mexico in Samara.
The two sides fought out a scoreless first half,... but shortly after the break -- in the 51st minute, Neymar's right foot shot from close range found the back of the net giving Brazil the one-nil lead.
Mexico poured everything into finding an equalizer,... but it wasn't to be with Roberto Firmino slotting home in the 88th minute to give Brazil the two-nil win and a ticket to the quarterfinals.
The winner of the day's second game in Rostov-on-Don would be Brazil's opponents in the last eight.
Belgium taking on Japan,... and after a forgettable first half, the game burst into life in the second 45.
Just three minutes into the second half,... Genki Haraguchi gets a nice through pass on a fast break from Gaku Shibasaki,... which he arrows past the goalkeeper to give Japan the unlikely one-nil lead.
Just 4 minutes later,... Takashi Inui drills in a superb goal from just outside the box,...
to give Japan a comfortable two goal cushion.
However, that goal just seemed to fire Belgium up.
The stunning comeback started in the 69th minute with Jan Vertonghen's long, looping header finding the back of the net.
Five minutes later,... Marouane Fellaini powered home a close-range header to level the match at two a piece.
Just as the match appeared to be heading into extra-time,... Nacer Chadli prodded home a close-range effort in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The Belgian team overjoyed, the Japanese squad inconsolable,... and heading home.
Belgium will take on Brazil in the quarterfinals on Friday, local time, in what promises to be a mouth-watering tie.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
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