Belgium broke Japanese hearts in the dying moments of injury time tonight as Roberto Martínez's side secured a 3-2 victory in their World Cup last 16 game. The tie was typical of this tournament; completely, utterly and wonderfully mental.
Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui gave Japan an unlikely 2-0 lead just after half-time but the favourites roared back into the match as Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini's headed goals leveled matters.
The game continued to swing and sway with both teams demonstrating enormously admirable attacking intent. In the 94th minute, a Japan corner allowed Belgium break quickly and Nacer Chadli grabbed the winner.
Belgium 3-2 Japan. What a goal! What a horrible way to go out of the World Cup! Nacer Chadli sends Belgium through to the quarter-finals with a last-gasp goal #rtesoccer #worldcup #BEL #JPN pic.twitter.com/ggWONgcic5
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2018
Rather than marvel at the exciting finish, Ronnie Whelan set the tune for RTE's analysis by immediately criticising Keisuke Honda for delivering a corner.
Keisuke Honda: what have you done? You put a bad, bad corner in and now your team have been hit on the break.
While Japan had looked increasingly fatigued towards the end of the game, RTE's panel continued to criticise Honda for going for it in the aftermath with Didi Hamann labeling it 'unacceptable.'
I just don’t understand. The Japanese are very disciplined and hardworking and from a young age they are told what to do. I think in a situation like this you have got to ask the referee first and foremost ‘how long is to play?’ I think it was 20 seconds or 30 seconds. Take a short corner and if you want to kick it out for a throw-in you go back and play extra-time. To have a situation where you take a corner with four or five players in the box and you get counter-attacked five v two or five v three is unacceptable.
“They’ve made that one error and that's it, the end of the dream for them.” The RTÉ panel have plenty of sympathy for Japan, but believe they were naive at the crucial moment. #rtesoccer #worldcup #BEL #JPN pic.twitter.com/MQnNoh7GfY
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2018
BBC took a very different approach. Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer were overwhelmingly positive after the game as they praised both teams for their effort while Shearer also hailed the tournament as a whole.
FIFA have got exactly what they wanted with this World Cup. They wanted to take it to different countries, the wanted to open it up to new players. It has been magnificent. It has had everything. Goals, entertainment, decisions, just… it has been superb!
Shearer felt the corner was indicative of the 'wonderful' game as a whole.
It summed the game up didn't it, Japan still trying to win the game! Still trying to attack and commit forward. But how quick were Belgium on the attack there?
Nothing to do with Honda crossing it. Watch the player meant to be ringing the box racing to the back post and leaving the whole middle of the pitch open https://t.co/mg9ZoIvw9G
— aidan o'hara (@oharaa) July 2, 2018
Ronnie whelan a bit harsh on Honda there
— Damian Murphy (@spudele19) July 2, 2018
To the end focussing on the negative
Ronnie Whelan, you are a terrible crank. #japanBelgium— Vincent Gilsenan (@VincentGilsenan) July 2, 2018
Only Ronnie Whelan could blame an opposition player after that incredible break 🙉 Unreal counter attack. Tough on Japan. Quality 2nd half #WorldCup
— Pa Ranahan (@PaRanahan) July 2, 2018
The lads on RTE blaming Honda for that last goal that’s shocking he was putting the ball in to win the game Japan didn’t have the legs for extra time the lads on RTÉ haven’t a clue
— conor (@conorfitz1994) July 2, 2018
Overblown the blame on Honda here. Match was a draw, there to be won. They weren't winning and holding a lead. Ok to send the ball in. Other players' responsibility to watch their house. Easy target for likes of Ronnie Whelan who loves a scapegoat.
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) July 2, 2018
