It was a game that was balanced on a knife’s edge. The first half pretty much saw Belgium dominate as the likes Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku threatened to cut loose. The tide then shifted as Japan showed their class. Throughout the first half, they had shown glimpses of magic with the creative genius of Takashi Inui causing problems for Belgium.

Neymar inevitably grabbed the headlines and plaudits again after Brazil's 2-0 World Cup win over Mexico on Monday but their real campaign heroes have been elsewhere.

Belgium threw caution to the wind to reach the World Cup quarter-finals as substitute Nacer Chadli scores in the dying seconds against Japan to snatch a 3-2 comeback win and sets up a clash with five-time champions Brazil.

Belgium passed their test of character with a display of true fighting spirit, coach Roberto Martinez said after they came from 2-0 behind to beat Japan 3-2 in injury time.

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov believes the World Cup hosts' shock victory over title contenders Spain on penalites following a 1-1 draw in the last 16 on Sunday "is only the beginning".

Spain's media flayed the team's unimaginative style after their shock World Cup elimination by their lowly ranked hosts Russia but federation president Luis Rubiales escaped the bulk of criticism despite the abrupt sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui.

Marcus berg

Denmark had to substitute a "queasy" Andreas Christensen after he was hit in the face by the ball in the build-up to Croatia's goal, revealed coach Age Hareide.

Croatia's elated coach Zlatko Dalic lauded his captain Luka Modric who missed a penalty in extra time but then scored another in a shootout victory over Denmark on Sunday that put them in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Belgium threw caution to the wind to reach the World Cup quarter-finals as substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the dying seconds against Japan to snatch a 3-2 comeback win on Monday and set up a clash with five-time champions Brazil.

Switzerland have made headlines in Russia for their players' controversial goal celebrations but the team stands on the verge of matching their best-ever run at a World Cup.

The round of 16 match between Mexico and Brazil yesterday was a really entertaining one but more importantly, Mexico managed to stretch the five-time champions. However, the most impressive thing for the Selecaos was that they withstood some intense pressure to win the game 2-0 and make the quarterfinals.

Russia forward Denis Cheryshev said he got quite emotional after his team upset the odds to eliminate highly fancied Spain at the World Cup and move unexpectedly to the last eight, sending football fever to sky high levels in the host country.

Shorn of a superstar since Zlatan Ibrahimovic's retirement, Sweden were not expected even to make it to the World Cup but now they are within reach of their first quarter-final for 24 years.

Robbed of his World Cup dream by injury four years ago, Colombia captain Radamel Falcao has at last realised his childhood dream and has a point to prove against England.

England have projected this World Cup as a fresh start for a new generation but the team's record of failure in penalty shoot-outs may not be so easy to forget.

Senegal's football federation (FSF) has asked FIFA to reconsider its fair play ruling after the African side became the first country to be eliminated by the new regulation.

Hosts Russia have exceeded expectations after advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals with a win on penalties over Spain but they will need more firepower if they are to give Croatia a run for their money on Saturday.

It's been a strange World Cup so far in Russia: smiles for also-rans and tears for big guns.

Brazil took a firm step onto the World Cup quarterfinals when they beat Mexico 2-0 at the Samara Arena yesterday.