Forget the Thriller in Manilla; this was the Blastoff at Rostov!
After a goalless first half Japan surged into a 2-0 lead only for a Belgian 1-2-3 to knock them out in by far the most exciting game of the tournament.
In a match worthy of a final, no fewer than five goals came in 45 minutes as the teams slugged it out end to end.
Japan had only got through the group stage via the fair play rule, but they were every bit worthy of being on this great stage and might feel badly done by through naïve goal at the death.
Let it be said, this game was played in fantastic spirit and is the kind that will leave lasting memories.
Belgium were favourites, but De Bruyne and Eden Hazard failed to spark, leaving Romelu Lukaku doing a Lone Ranger act up front, nobody next to him each time he got the ball.
The first half was full of action, with honours shared – but it was just a tasty appetiser.
Japan struck first after the break as Jan Vertonghen’s terrible mistake gifted Hotaru Yamaguchi a chance he struck sweetly past Thibaut Courtois (1-0).
A minute later Eden Hazard might have equalised as Hazard smacked the inside of the post after superb inter-passing.
But it was Courtois who was to suffer again, the Chelsea man again picking the ball out of his net after Takashi Inui walloped a shot home from distance (2-0).
This is probably where Japan got it wrong.
They failed to change their game – maybe they didn’t know how to park the bus – and would pay the price, continuing to attack instead of protecting their lead.
The warning signs were there as Yannick Carrasco, Thomas Meunier, Lukaku and Hazard all came close from breakaways.
Belgium had brought on fresh legs, specifically Marouane Fellaini, whose extra height provided an added threat.
As it was, the goal came from an unexpected source as a Belgium cross was not cleared and from an impossible angle Vertonghen headed the ball over the keeper and into the far top corner.
A brilliant goal – if that’s what he was trying! I think not.
Japan were still up 2-1 but hanging on for dear life until luck ran out as Fellaini headed home from a corner for 2-2.
And still Japan failed to close up shop, this time signing their World Cup death warrant.
They had a corner and could have killed the few remaining seconds; instead, they sent all the troops to the frontline and were found out.
Courtois fielded and rolled the ball to a sprinting De Bruyne, who played it wide right to Meunier, who in turn slid it toward a marked Lukaku.
The big man cleverly dummied and let it run into the path of the arriving Nacer Chadli and the West Brom man broke Japanese hearts by sliding it home for a 3-2 stunner.
This is why football is watched and loved by millions and no-one is more relieved than me as my Red Devils team march forward seeking ultimate glory.
