<P> The teams had faced each other in 5 previous matches, including one World Cup group stage match in 2002, which ended in a 2--2 draw . Their most recent meeting came in a friendly in 2017, a 1--0 Belgium win and also Belgium's first victory over Japan . </P> <P> In the 48th minute, Gaku Shibasaki slipped a pass through to Genki Haraguchi, who rifled a shot across Thibaut Courtois from the right which went into the left corner of the net . After 4 minutes, Japan scored a second, Shinji Kagawa collecting a loose ball and feeding Takashi Inui, the midfielder working himself a yard of space before arrowing home from 25 - yards into the bottom right corner of the net . Jan Vertonghen's looping header from the left eluded goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima and landed in the right corner of the net after a corner caused chaos in the Japan penalty area--and five minutes later they were back on level terms . Eden Hazard twisted and turned to create space on the left wing, his cross delivered for Marouane Fellaini to climb above his marker and crash in a downward header . In the last minute of stoppage time, Courtois found Kevin De Bruyne with a long throw, who freed Thomas Meunier with a pass, Meunier squared a low cross from the right and, when Romelu Lukaku dummied the ball, substitute Nacer Chadli was on hand to complete the comeback for Belgium with a low finish . </P> <P> Belgium are the first team to come from two or more goals down to win a World Cup knockout stage match within 90 minutes since Portugal beat North Korea in the 1966 quarter - final (3--0 down, 5--3 win); and for the first time comeback from two goals down since West Germany's comeback 3--2 victory over England at 1970 . Japan scored six goals at Russia 2018, their highest ever tally in a single World Cup tournament . Belgium have reached the World Cup quarter - finals in successive tournaments for the first time . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Belgium </Th> <Th> 3--2 </Th> <Th> Japan </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> Vertonghen 69' </Li> <Li> Fellaini 74' </Li> <Li> Chadli 90 + 4' </Li> </Ul> </Td> <Td> Report </Td> <Td> <Ul> <Li> Haraguchi 48' </Li> <Li> Inui 52' </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who does belgium play in round of 16