Belgium fans 'party like they've won the World Cup' after defeating Japan

Belgium fans in London were partying like they had “already won the World Cup” after the national team snatched a 3-2 victory over Japan.

Scores of supporters crammed into the De Hems bar in Chinatown to watch the Red Devils play in Rostov for a place in the quarter-finals .

After a goalless first half, Japan stunned Belgium by taking a two-goal lead. But goals from Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini kept Belgian hopes alive — before Nacer Chadli’s stoppage-time winner sent the crowd wild. The team now face Brazil on Saturday.

Film animator Amaury Coljon, 27, who is from Brussels and lives in Finsbury Park, said the atmosphere in De Hems was “crazy”. “It was like we had already won the World Cup. When you come back like that it’s amazing,” he said.

“The first Japan goal we thought, ‘OK, we have the team and the character to come back’. And then the second one was really unexpected. Then after our first goal and then the second one, I was starting to not believe it.”

Mr Coljon said he was “so excited” to face Brazil. After the game, fans congregated outside the Dutch bar and cafe, which is known for its Belgian beer. Femke Van Den Hauke, 30, a teacher from Flanders, said: “When the last goal went in everybody went crazy, the atmosphere was super.” Kirsten Noben, 29, a journalist from Genk who lives in Brockley​ , said the game had been “stressful”, adding: “There were all the emotions — from being down and distraught to turning it around.”