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WORLD FOOTBALL

    World Cup 2018: Scores, Results, Highlights and Reaction from Monday

    Gill Clark@@gillclarkyX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IJuly 2, 2018

    Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku (L), Belgium's defender Thomas Meunier (C), and Belgium's midfielder Nacer Chadli celebrate their winning goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Belgium and Japan at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on July 2, 2018. - Belgium scored a last-gasp winner to beat Japan on Monday and set up a World Cup quarter-final against Brazil. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)
    FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/Getty Images

    Brazil and Belgium are into the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after both teams secured wins on Monday.

    The Selecao ended Mexico's dreams with a 2-0 victory at the Samara Arena thanks to second-half goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino. They will now play Belgium in the last eight after they came from 2-0 down to beat Japan 3-2 in a thriller.

    Here's a look at Monday's results and the updated draw:

    FIFA World Cup 🏆 @FIFAWorldCup

    CONFIRMED: Friday 6th July: #FRAURU | 17:00 | Nizhny Novgorod #BRABEL | 21:00 | Kazan #WorldCup https://t.co/KX2oGczpB4

       

    Brazil 2-0 Mexico

    Belgium 3-2 Japan

       

    Brazil 2-0 Mexico

    TOPSHOT - Brazil's forward Neymar celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Mexico at the Samara Arena in Samara on July 2, 2018. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO
    KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/Getty Images

    Neymar was the star man for Brazil on Monday as he grabbed a goal and an assist to send Mexico out of the tournament.

    El Tri bow out of the competition at the last 16 stage for the seventh successive tournament:

    B/R Football @brfootball

    1994: ❌ 1998: ❌ 2002: ❌ 2006: ❌ 2010: ❌ 2014: ❌ 2018: ❌ Mexico can't break the game 5 curse. https://t.co/z5Szij5R6z

    Juan Carlos Osorio's men started the game well and enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half until they started to tire. El Tri looked a threat down the flanks but struggled to carve out clear chances against a well-organised Brazil defence.

    World Cup 2018: Scores, Results, Highlights and Reaction from Monday
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    The Selecao stepped it up after the break and Neymar broke the deadlock on 51 minutes. The Paris Saint-Germain star began the move with a backheel to Willian and then raced into the box where he converted the Chelsea winger's cross.

    Squawka Football highlighted his impressive record for his country:

    Squawka Football @Squawka

    Neymar has now scored 57 goals in 89 caps for Brazil at 26 years of age. Incredible team goal, incredible numbers. đŸ‡§đŸ‡· https://t.co/o9Sunouak8

    Neymar also attracted scrutiny for his reaction to contact from Mexico's Miguel Layun. The defender appeared to tread on his ankle which prompted histrionics from the Brazilian.

    Football writer Rupert Fryer offered his view:

    Rupert Fryer @Rupert_Fryer

    Proof that Neymar’s histrionics are now actively putting him at a disadvantage. Layun deserved a yellow at the very least there. Either they went to VAR and were like, ‘Neymar’s pathetic,’ or they never went to VAR because ‘Neymar’s pathetic.’

    It was an unnecessary reaction from Neymar which took the gloss off a fine performance. He made the game safe on 88 minutes when his cross was tapped home by Firmino to complete the win.

    Brazil were one of the pre-tournament favourites and still look the team to beat in Russia as they face Belgium for a place in the semi-finals.

       

    Belgium 3-2 Japan

    Belgium's players celebrate at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Belgium and Japan at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on July 2, 2018. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALER
    JEWEL SAMAD/Getty Images

    Roberto Martinez's side were expected to comfortably see off Japan but were given a shock as the Samurai Blue took a 2-0 lead after 52 minutes.

    Some sloppy defending from Jan Vertonghen allowed Genki Haraguchi to latch onto Gaku Shibasaki's forward pass and he fired past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on 48 minutes.

    Four minutes later Takashi Inui's fine strike from outside the box put Japan on the brink of pulling off a shock result and securing a place in the quarter-finals.

    Martinez made changes to his team sending on Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, and Belgium pulled one back when Vertonghen's looping header went over goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

    Former goalkeeper David Preece offered his view of the goal:

    David Preece @davidpreece12

    It’s a freakish header from Vertonghen but it’s a poor punch from Kawashima initially that leads to it. If he comes that far he has to clear the area.

    Fellaini levelled the match on 74 minutes as he headed home Eden Hazard's cross before Belgium broke Japanese hearts with a winner in the 94th minute of stoppage time

    Kevin De Bruyne led a counter-attack and picked out Thomas Meunier out wide on the right. His cross into the box was dummied by Romelu Lukaku and found Chadli who tapped home.