Manchester United: Lukaku and Belgium advance in World Cup
By Wyatt Miner
In the round of sixteen match between Belgium and Japan, Belgium came out as early favorites in the match.
However, the Belgium squad looked the favorites early on in the match. For instance, Manchester United man, Romelu Lukaku, earned a chance for a goal during the first half. Belgium simply passed around Japan, maintaining possession, and earned more opportunities to score.
Furthermore, Japan played with a defensive mindset and capitalizing on the counter attack. For example, at any point in the first half, one could see the whole Japanese side sinking into their own half. Obviously, Belgium took note and applied the pressure.
In the first half, Belgium dominated in almost every category. Moreover, Belgium managed to maintain 57% possession, compared to Japan’s 43%. Also, the Belgian side dominated in the shots category. Belgium had 10 shots in the first half; while Japan only had 4. Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku did not manage to score in the first half.
In addition, Belgium had many more passes than their Japanese counterparts. For instance, Belgium had 311, and Japan only had 249. Clearly, Belgium stepped up to the challenge, as they have a lengthy unbeaten streak.
While Belgium is a second half team, the Japanese were the first to find the back of the net.
After the Belgians made a deep run in the Japanese half, Japan earned the ball back and achieved the unlikely: scoring against Thibaut Courtois.
Japan earned the ball in their own half, but used the counter attack method as a way to tilt the game in their favor. Genki Haraguchi received the ball, and took the defender one on one. Then, he calmly placed the ball to the right of Courtois.
Shortly after the Japanese goal, Eden Hazard drove the ball down the field and rocketed a shot off of the post. Hazard was inches from pulling Belgium level with Japan. Manchester United’s Lukaku was close to the ricochet, but he could not put the ball into the net.
Within 6 minutes of the second half starting, Japan go 2-0 up on Belgium. The second goal, again from a counter attack, and Takashi Inui placed a perfect shot into the corner of the net. From the moment he struck the ball, he knew it was going into the net.
In the 69th minute, Jan Vertonghen manages to pull one back for Belgium off of a miraculous header. Then, in the 73rd minute, a Belgium corner turned into a goal for Manchester United’s very own Marouane Fellaini. He rose above the Japanese defender and poached a goal. Belgium tied it up with Japan.
After a lot of back and forth, Belgium counter attacked Japan’s defense. From this counter attack, Nacer Chadli puts it in the back of the net. The goal came in the last minute of extra time. Belgium comes back very late to put Japan out of the tournament.
Next: Manchester United World Cup round up, de Gea exits and Pogba shines
Now, Romelu Lukaku must focus on the next round as they play against Brazil. After going down 2-0, the Belgium side scored 3 unanswered goals to save their unbeaten streak and spot in the tournament. Can Belgium stand up to a vicious Brazil team?