World Cup Match Moments: Day 18

With soccer powers dropping out of the World Cup left and right, Monday's knockout matches in Russia were about passing tests. Neymar had already avoided the fate of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by helping his Brazil team get out of its group. But could he carry the Brazilians when it mattered? Answer: a goal and an assist as the five-time champs shut down Mexico 2-0.

Belgium, for all the talent it showed in winning its group, faced lingering questions about whether it had the mental toughness to go much beyond that. And many wondered whether Japan deserved to be in the round of 16 at all. The answers, delivered over a five-goal second half that saw the Europeans come back from two goals down to find an injury-time winner: Japan absolutely belonged, and Belgium has the stomach to fight back.

Brazil's Neymar celebrates as Mexico's Miguel Layun and teammates Hirving Lozano embrace at the end of their round of 16 match at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. Brazil won 2-0. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Brazil's Neymar celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Mexico players react at the end of the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. Brazil won 2-0. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Brazil's Gabriel Jesus, right, challenges for the ball with Mexico's Carlos Salcedo during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Brazil's Roberto Firmino, left, celebrates with Brazil's Neymar, right, after scoring his side's second goal during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Brazil's Neymar, bottom, challenges for the ball with Mexico's Edson Alvarez during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Brazil's Neymar walks on the pitch during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Mexico's Jesus Gallardo, right, vies for the ball with Brazil's Willian, center, during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, left, blocks a kick by Mexico's Javier Hernandez, right, during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Mexico's Javier Hernandez (14) embraces Brazil's Neymar after their round of 16 match at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. Brazil won 2-0. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Belgium's Vincent Kompany jumps for the ball in front of Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Belgium's Eden Hazard is fouled by Japan's Gaku Shibasaki during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Japan's Genki Haraguchi, bottom left, scores his first side goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Japan's Takashi Inui, center, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, right, fails to save a ball as Belgium's Jan Vertonghen, center, scores his first side's goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Belgium's Marouane Fellaini celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Belgium's Nacer Chadli, center, scores his third side goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Belgium's Nacer Chadli, top right, is cheered by teammates after scoring his third side goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A Japan supporters cries after losing the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Belgium's Nacer Chadli, second right, celebrates after scoring his third side's goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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