Belgium will be taking the momentum of their late comeback victory over Japan into one of the biggest games in the national team’s history when they meet Brazil for a place in the semi-finals. At 2-0 down against Japan, another major setback for Belgium’s brilliant generation seemed likely, but three goals including a last-gasp winner have put them into a quarter-final showdown with the record world champions.
The match in Kazan will be a defining moment for Belgium, who are seeking a place in the last four for only the second time after coming fourth in 1986. The winner of that game faces either 1998 champions France or two-time winners Uruguay for a place in the July 15 final. Belgium are the first team to come from two or more goals down to win a World Cup knock-out stage match within 90 minutes since Portugal beat North Korea 5-3 from 3-0 down in the 1966 quarter-finals.
“If you look at the stats there are not many games where you can come back from 2-0 down at a World Cup,” coach Roberto Martinez said. “I think this is down to the personality, to the focus, to the desire, to the never-give-up attitude of the players and almost the belief of the players when the came on. Doing it within the 90 minutes was an incredible achievement.”