And so it was Belgium that won Group G
Their 1-0 win over England last Thursday won them the group, sending them on to a supposedly easier clash with Japan.
However, with an hour played in Rostov, Roberto Martinez’s men found themselves in a sticky situation. An opener from Genki Haraguchi early in the second half was swiftly followed by a second Japanese goal from Takashi Inui. Not in the script.
Inui’s goal was impressive – firing home from over 20 yards out. It was also cause for some to remind Thibaut Courtois of his comments about Jordan Pickford last week.
Speaking after the game with England, Courtois suggested Adnan Januzaj’s match winning goal would’ve been a routine save for himself.
“The goalkeeper is 10cm smaller than me,” he said. “I would have caught it. He was too busy throwing his legs in the air.”
So, with that in mind, you can probably guess what many people tweeted in the immediate aftermath of Inui’s goal…
If only Courtois was 10cm taller, eh. #BELJAP
— IAN HYLAND (@HylandIan) July 2, 2018
If only Courtois was a bit taller, or had longer arms…….
— John S (@JohnS_71) July 2, 2018
Think a taller GK than Courtois probably saves that
— Scouts in Attendance (@scoutsattending) July 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/waggo2110/status/1013862577997303809
If Courtois was taller he’d have stopped that 😂😂#prick #BELJAP #WorldCup18
— Rides (@PaulRideout) July 2, 2018
You get the gist.
Belgium were able to get back on level terms in the game. Jan Vertonghen’s looping header halved the deficit before substitute Marouane Fellaini equalised. The game appeared to be heading for extra-time, only for a stoppage time counter attack from the Red Devils to end in Nacer Chadli scoring a winner.
