ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia, July 3, 2018 (News Wires) - Eden Hazard praised Belgium's fighting spirit after the Red Devils came from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 and advance to a World Cup quarter-final showdown against Brazil. "We are just so happy to go through to the quarter-finals," said Belgium's captain Hazard, who was the man-of-the-match in Rostov. "Things went wrong at the start of the second half and both (Japan) goals were avoidable, but the reaction we showed was great." Nacer Chadli's superbly worked goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time was the final act of an epic last-16 battle. Belgium become the first team in 48 years to successfully overturn a 2-0 deficit in a World Cup knockout game. Belgium will face five-time champions Brazil in Kazan on Friday after scoring three second-half goals without reply to break Japan's dogged resistance. Goals by Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui in four devastating minutes had put Japan2-0 up early in the second half to leave Belgium reeling. However, the Red Devils responded with quick goals of their own as Jan Vertonghen, at fault for Haraguchi's goal, and Marouane Fellaini both scored headers before Chadli's dramatic winner in Rostov. "It was a tragedy, but I have to accept the defeat as a fact, but I feel devastated and very disappointed," said Japan coach Akira Nishino. "I felt there wasn't in it between the teams, maybe it was my decisions as a coach and we couldn't keep up when Belgium upped their game." Relieved Belgium manager Roberto Martinez saluted his side's resolve. "The players had the desire to win and to do it during the 90 minutes was an incredible achievement," said Martinez. "Keep believing in Belgium. In the World Cup you want to be perfect but it's about getting through, it's about winning."
