Dedryck Boyata was dropped by Roberto Martinez as Belgium used up all of their lives to stay in the World Cup.
Vincent Kompany replaced the Celtic defender but ten minutes into the second half Belgium found themselves trailing 2-0 and looking certain to go out of the competition.
Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini were introduced after 65 minutes with Belgium back on level terms within ten minutes.
This is what happens when ya drop big Boyata, the defender of the tournament
— Rabby (@BigRabbyM) July 2, 2018
Drop Boyata who plays in one of the best leagues in the world for a fraud like Kompany who plays in a tinpot league and now look Belgium stairing elimination in the face
— Manpreet ???????????????? (@manpreet_ptfc) July 2, 2018
Celtic will earn a further £25,520 from the World Cup as Dedryk Boyata progresses to the quarter-finals with Belgium.
— CelticBible (@CelticBible) July 2, 2018
Belgium dropping an in-form Boyata is a joke. Guy hasn’t put a foot wrong all tournament, no wonder Naingolan quit national team because of Martinez.
— Ciaran (@Googhan) July 2, 2018
Why was Boyata even dropped?
— ????????Belgium???????? BelRedDevils (@cy_mureithi) July 2, 2018
2-0 Japan…mistake by Kompany!
The watching world cannot believe Boyata, the best defender in the tournament, is not playing. Shame on you Martinez. Shame on you Belgium. Shame on you @FIFAcom #BoyataWorldCupWatch— Electronic Tims (@ETimsNet) July 2, 2018
It looked like the match was heading for extra-time but in stoppage time Kevin De Bruyne raced almost from box to box to set up the move that saw Chadli slide home the winning goal from eight yards out.
Belgium will now play Brazil on Friday evening for a place in the semi-final, earlier today Brazil beat Mexico 2-0.
Brendan Rodgers has already written off Boyata for the opening Champions League qualifier against Alashkert but it’s unlikely that the defender will be back on Celtic duty this month.