[an error occurred while processing this directive] Belgium's late run eliminates Russia, 3-2

06/14/2002

Associated Press

SHIZUOKA, Japan – The Belgians were so elated to advance in the World Cup they didn't even mind playing Brazil in the next round.

Belgium scored two goals in a tense final 12 minutes, beating Russia 3-2 Friday and scraping through to the second round. The Belgians' prize: a date with Brazil on Monday in Kobe, Japan.

"It's a dream come true to play them," said Wesley Sonck, who scored the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute. "Brazil is a very skilled team and as individuals. We are confident. You have to be.

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AP
Belgium's Johan Walem is embraced by teammates Mbo Mpenza (left) and Gert Verheyen after scoring against Russia.
After Sonck, a substitute, put the Belgians ahead, Marc Wilmots added the winner four minutes later. It was Wilmots' third goal of the tournament.

"I was happy after my goal," Sonck said, "and even happier after the next."

Belgium scored first in the seventh minute on a brilliant free kick by Johan Walem. But Vladimir Beschastnykh scored Russia's first goal in the 52nd minute, and a tie would have been enough for the Russians to advance in Group H.

Then came the Belgian surge and, although Dmitri Sychev cut Belgium's lead again in the 86th minute, it wasn't enough for the Russians.

"We are very sorry for our supporters," Russia captain Viktor Onopko said. "The loss is a tragedy."

Japan won Group H with seven points after beating Tunisia 2-0 in Friday's other match, and will face Turkey in the second round.

Belgium needed a victory to advance and got one to end a World Cup drought of seven consecutive games without a win, including five straight ties.

The Belgians overcame loud criticism about their inability to win big games.

"We won a match, we scored six goals (in the first round), I'm very happy with the performance of my team at this tournament," said Belgium coach Robert Waseige. "We're really happy that we could show this is not a team you can throw away, like they said back home."

The Red Devils took the lead when Walem, who returned as a starter after being dropped for Belgium's 1-1 tie with Tunisia, looped a left-footed drive from 25 yards. It soared over the defensive wall and into the top of the Russian net, leaving goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin no chance.

Beschastnykh knocked in a ball that rolled away from Belgian keeper Geerd De Vlieger, who made his first save of the game to deny Dmitri Sychev.

The Russians started to pull back to defend their goal. Belgium coach Robert Waseige replaced Mbo Mpenza with Sonck, the top scorer in the Belgian league last season and the move paid off.

In the 78th, Sonck got his head to Walem's corner kick, leaving Nigmatullin sitting dejected on the ground while Sonck did a backflip and a cartwheel in celebration.

A searing left-footed strike from Wilmots grazed Onopko's foot before entering the net and sealing the victory for Belgium. The entire team ran to the dugout to celebrate with the coach and his staff.

Russia was without its star player, offensive midfielder Alexander Mostovoi, who missed all three games with a thigh injury. Injury troubles piled up during the game as Yuri Nikiforov was stretchered off shortly before halftime.

"I cannot finds words about what it means to lose," Onopko said.

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