Marouane Fellaini, you cruel bastard!
It didn't take long for Marouane Fellaini to make an impact on the 2018 Fifa World Cup round of 16 game between Belgium and Japan.
Fellaini didn't start the game... which is probably why Belgium started off so poorly. After a goalless first half, the European side found themselves 1-0 early into the second. Genki Haraguchi got the breakthrough goal, firing a fine effort past Thibaut Courtois in the 47th minute.
https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/1013862126350262273
Belgium very nearly equalised straight away. However, Eden Hazard could only grimace as he saw his thunderous effort ricochet back off the Japanese upright.
Then Japan went 2-0 up through. Takashi Inui got the game's second.
https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/1013863222997217280
The comeback began just a few minutes later.
Jan Vertonghen brought it back to 2-1 with a looping header. The keeper didn't cover himself in glory failing to keep this one out.
https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/1013867728497565699
It wasn't before it was level again.
The one and only Marouane Fellaini came on in the second half as a substitute. He made pretty much an immediate impact as he drilled a header into the back of the net.
https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/1013868793557159936
Poor Akira Nishino couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.
You can literally pinpoint the moment the Japan manager's heart breaks in two.
Gif via RTE
Things went from bad to worse for Japan.
Nacer Chadli capitalised on a poor Japan corner in injury time to sink Japanese hearts.
https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/1013874480970588167
Belgium are going through to face Brazil in the quarter-finals. After being two goals up, Japan's tournament is over.
What a World Cup this has been so far!
