Tearful Japan fans crushed by last-gasp loss to Belgium

Japanese fans react after second goal by Belgium as they watch a broadcast of the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match Belgium vs Japan at a sports bar in Tokyo, Japan July 3, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese soccer fans fought back tears and wondered what could have been after a last-gasp goal by Belgium crushed their dreams of a historic World Cup quarter-final berth in heartbreaking fashion.

The Samurai Blue looked on track to reach their first quarter-final in three last-16 attempts after going 2-0 ahead early in the second half, only to see Belgium roar back and snatch a 3-2 win with an explosive counter-attack deep into stoppage time.