Summary

  • Result: Samoa 5-26 Japan

  • Japan go second in Pool B

Live Reporting

Jonathan Jurejko

  1. Full-time

    Samoa 5-26 Japan

    So that stunning victory moves Japan up to second place in Pool B. Will the Brave Blossoms be there in about two hours? Will they be there after the final round of matches? Who knows. Obviously a lot depends on the outcome of Scotland v South Africa in a MAHOOSIVE match which is about to kick off in a slate grey Newcastle.

    Time for you and I to say goodbye. Time for you to say hello to my colleague Brendon Mitchell. Head over here for every kick, pass and tackle from St James' Park. Enjoy!

  2. Full-time

    Samoa 5-26 Japan

    Result.

  3. Full-time

    Samoa 5-26 Japan

    Phil Shepka
    BBC Sport at Stadium MK

    The contrary in emotions at the final whistle could not be more stark, with Japan knowing they are on the brink of making history, while Samoa players drop to their knees, realising they need a miracle.

  4. Full-time

    Samoa 5-26 Japan

    All over! Japan manage to turn over the ball and quickly hoof the ball into touch. The Japanese players jump into the air and bear hug each other - what a win! Coach Eddie Jones looks pretty satisfied as he strides down from his box, taking the plaudits from the compliment-paying punters.

  5. Samoa 5-26 Japan

    More expansive stuff from Japan as they throw the ball around, Masataka Mikami is stopped by a bone-crunching tackle by Jack Lam, but manages to offload to a fellow red and white shirt. However, they let Samoa off the hook with a forward pass.

  6. Samoa 5-26 Japan

    Japan finally look as though they want to score a try - a bit late in my humble opinion. They should have been going for the Samoan try-line much earlier in a bid to snatch that potentially-crucial bonus point. Hendrik Tui looks to break the Samoan line, but fumbles inside their 22.

  7. Record breakers

    Samoa 5-26 Japan

  8. Samoa 5-26 Japan

    Add another one to that Samoan penalty count. "You can't take the half-back out..." referee Craig Joubert tells the offending player. Japan kick into touch...

  9. Samoa 5-26 Japan

    To add to that info from our chums over at Opta, I can also add that Samoa have now conceded 15 (fifteen) penalties. And there, my friends, is this game in a nutshell.

    As Samoa win a scrum and venture down the Japan left through Johnny Leota - whose name sounds like a character in The Godfather trilogy - we hear our first strains of 'Swing low...' from the Milton Keynes crowd...

  10. Samoa 5-26 Japan

  11. Get involved

    #bbcrugby

    Kritt Normsaskul: Tell you what, Japan have been an absolute winner this Rugby World Cup. Hope they spring up a few more surprises!

    Jon Salinger: What a cracking first half by Japan - sometimes it helps to be small and nimble in this game.

    Huw Rees: Japan are fantastic. If they hadn't had a four day turnaround before Scotland they'd be top of the group.

  12. Samoa 5-26 Japan

    Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru is now the leading points scorer in this World Cup. He has been successful with two conversions and four penalties today, and only missed two penalties.

    Ayumu GoromaruOpta

  13. Missed penalty

    Samoa 5-26 Japan

    Hmmm, Japan have this match all but wrapped up with a 21-point lead and just 12 minutes remaining. But Michael Leitch opts to go for the sticks with another penalty attempt, rather than go for the corner and the try which would move Japan closer to a much-needed bonus point. Interesting. 

    From the left of the sticks, Ayumu Goromaru - on a rare occasion today - does not find his target.

  14. try

    Try - Samoa 5-26 Japan

    Paul Perez, missed con Tusi Pisi

    Samoa's Paul Perez scores a tryGetty Images

    Oh, they can't - can they? Samoa avoid the prospect of their first nilling in the best part of 20 years. And what a way to do it. Silky handling skills from the Pacific Islanders, who offload their way across the field from left to right, before working their way back to Paul Perez who goes over. Tusi Pisi cannot add the extras though, his effort cannoning back of the post.

  15. Samoa 0-26 Japan

    Japan turn over the ball again after a Samoa scrum inside their 22. Michael Leitch spots a gap, but a blue wall of Samoan shirts appear from nowhere to block his path.

  16. Get involved

    #bbcrugby

  17. Get involved

    #bbcrugby

    Ex-Samoa international scrum-half Junior Poluleuligaga is impressed with Japan....

  18. Penalty

    Samoa 0-26 Japan - Ayumu Goromaru

    Japanese fans celebrateGetty Images

    Japan stretch their advantage with another three-pointer from Ayumu Goromaru. The record points scorer goes throw his pre-kick routine - no Biggarena-style dancing from him - just a few body jerks. It works, the kick sailing over the crossbar. Surely game over for Samoa - now Japan could do with a couple more tries...

  19. Samoa 0-23 Japan

    Akihito Yamada of Japan is stretchered offReuters

    Worrying moment as Akihito Yamada goes down heavily after trying to stop the fleet-footed Perez as the Samoan jinks forward. The medical staff are quickly on to the scene, tending to Yamada. After a few minutes, the Japan wing is lifted on to a stretcher to the sound of a warm round of applause. Hopefully it isn't as serious as it looks.

  20. Samoa 0-23 Japan

    Phil Shepka
    BBC Sport

    "In unison, Stadium MK shudders at the replay of the challenge that has left Akihito Yamada - scorer of their second try - prone on the floor and needing a stretcher. The medical team act with great care as they lift him off the field and then some of the crowd stand to applaud."