Result: Samoa 5-26 Japan
Japan go second in Pool B
Samoa 0-23 Japan
End-to-end stuff at the moment. Bristol flanker Jack Lam enters the fray for Samoa, and it is no coincidence that the Pacific Islanders have improved since his arrival. Lam recycles the ball quickly, as Ken Pisi streaks down the right flank.
But Japan scramble back, Samoa losing the opportunity. And when they go back inside, Michael Leitch dives in, wins the turnover and boots downfield to put Paul Perez under pressure in front of his own sticks.
Samoa 0-23 Japan
Every statistic is pretty grim for the Samoans. This one shows the amount of scrums won. Six from Japan (black and green hexagons) and only two from Samoa (white and green hexagons).
Image source, OptaSamoa 0-23 Japan
Brief moment of encouragement for Samoa. And there haven't been many of those moments. Replacement wing Reynold Lee-Lo, who came on for Alesana Tuilagi moments earlier, flies down the blindside, offloading to the supporting Johnny Leota. But he is denied by a wonderful crunching tackle by Japan back-rower Michael Leitch.
Samoa 0-23 Japan - Ayumu Goromaru
Sorry for sounding like a broken record but....Samoa are caught offside again and concede another penalty. This time they go for the sticks, Ayumu Goromaru adding to his tally with a solid penalty from 20 metres.
Samoa 0-20 Japan
Image source, .Any signs of Samoa creating World Cup history? Not really. Samoa are punished at the scrum, another Japan penalty - their 10th of the match...
Samoa 0-20 Japan
Japan fly-half Kosei Ono clutches the ball, waiting for referee Craig Joubert's whistle. The shrill fills the gloomy Milton Keynes air, allowing Ono to boot downfield. Back under way...
Samoa 0-20 Japan
Plenty of beaming smiles among the Japan fans in Milton Keynes - including the bloke who is covered in body paint and wearing a scrum cap. And no wonder.
The team which is leading by 20 points bound out of the tunnel first. Followed shortly after by the more labored Samoans.
Samoa 0-20 Japan
So hands up, who would have guessed that Japan would have 70% of the ball and a 20-0 lead at half-time? Samoa have offered hardly anything as an attacking force.
Image source, OptaSamoa 0-20 Japan
What a tournament it has been for Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru.
He contributed 24 points, including a try, in his side's memorable 34-32 win over South Africa and his 10 points in the first half against Samoa has taken him to the top of the points scored table.
Image source, .Samoa 0-20 Japan
Phil Shepka
BBC Sport at Stadium MK
Milton Keynes looks more like a scene from downtown Tokyo at half-time. Japan flags are being flown every which way you look. Samoa coach Stephen Betham needs to calm his players down.
Samoa 0-20 Japan
Any hope for Samoa? Certainly is, if this stat below is anything to go by anyway...
The problem is that they can't get anywhere near the Japanese who are playing some scintillating rugby. Eddie Jones' side are dominating the set-piece - winning all six of their scrums - and the breakdown too.
Image source, .That's 26 matches over eight separate tournaments.
Samoa 0-20 Japan
Image source, .Samoa 0-20 Japan
Fantastic finish by Yamada, fantastic finish to a fantastic half. Japan have been simply, ahem, fantastic. Who would have predicted this scoreline before kick-off? Not me. As it stands they are second in Pool B ahead of Scotland v South Africa. But one would suspect they need a bonus point here - and a bonus point win against the United States - to reach the last eight.
Image source, AP
Akihito Yamada, con Ayumu Goromaru
Pre-match, Japan coach Eddie Jones talked about his team landing the knockout blows - well, here is another one. The pack punch deep incisions into the Samoan defence, throwing out wide to wing Akihito Yamada. Opposite number Alesana Tuilagi stands in his way...no problem. Yamada spins his man and spectacularly dives over in the corner.
Japan's record points scorer Ayumu Goromaru finds his destination like a sat nav with the kick. Precise.
Samoa 0-13 Japan
Enterprising stuff from Japan as they succeed at the breakdown again. A quick flick out finds Kotaro Matsushima, who spots a hole in the Samoan defence and kicks the ball towards it. The wing stretches his legs in pursuit, but Samoa Tim Nanai-Williams races across to avert the danger. For now at least...
#bbcrugby
Lots of you love watching Japan. Which country have you enjoyed watching the most in the World Cup so far?
David McNaught: Just loving watching this Japan side. Confidence brimming, creative and tenacious. Brilliant!
Green Monkey: Japan have been fantastic in the World Cup. Such a shame bonus points mean they have no chance of qualifying.
Samoa 0-13 Japan
Image source, .Samoa 0-13 Japan - Ayumu Goromaru
Japan again opt to go for the sticks, nudging their scoreboard along nicely. Ayumu Goromaru, from a central position about 30 metres out, boots the penalty straight through the sticks.
Samoa 0-10 Japan
Another Japan attack, more Samoan indiscipline. The Samoa coaching team are decked out in Pacific-style flowery shirts and lei around their necks - but their collective mood is not so bright.
Samoa are caught offside, prompting ref Craig Joubert to have another word with their captain.
"This is an official warning about offside. If there is another offside, someone goes to the bin. Please listen to this," says the official. Crystal clear.
Samoa 0-10 Japan
Japan are 10-0 up, dominating possession, have held a two-man advantage and are showing their strength in the amount of rucks won.
The white and green diamonds represent the rucks won by Samoa, the black and green diamonds those won by Japan.
And the Brave Blossoms - one of the great nicknames in world sport - are back in possession...
Image source, Opta