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MOSCOW. — With their “Golden Generation” of players, Belgium have emerged as the dark horses of the Soccer World Cup in Russia. The Red Devils would like to continue their fine run of form when they lock horns with Japan in their Round of 16 encounter at the Rostov Arena tonight at 8pm.

Belgium are packed with English Premier League superstars and from the off have looked like a side to be reckoned with.
They started with a 3-0 win over Panama before thrashing Tunisia 5-2 – a game in which Romelu Lukaku took his tally to four goals for the tournament and Eden Hazard scored a brace.

The final game of the group stage was a strange 1-0 win over England in which both sides played a reserve team. Adnan Januzaj scored a fine winner and will be hoping to keep his place in the team.

However, Dries Mertens has warned Belgium against the perils of complacency with one eye on a possible quarter-final showdown with Brazil. Roberto Martinez’s side defeated England 1-0 in their last outing to top Group G, earning what on paper should be a straightforward last 16 assignment against Japan. — AFP.