Japan v Samoa LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction after Ben Lam red card in Samoa defeat

Japan 28-22 Samoa: Japan held off 14-man Samoa to set up a shootout against Argentina for a quarter-final place

Uruguay fightback to beat Namibia 36-26 at the World Cup

Japan boosted their chances of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the second successive time as they beat an ill-disciplined Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse, a result which sent England through to the last eight.

Tries by Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno and 13 points from the boot of Rikiya Matsuda gave Japan a comprehensive victory as they leapfrogged their opponents into second place in Pool D with nine points.

Samoa, who had Ben Lam red-carded early in the second half and answered with tries by Seilala Lam, Duncan Paia’aua and Christian Leali’ifano as well as points from the tee by Alai D’Angelo Leuila and Leali’ifano, are third on six points.

With 14 points, England will finish top of the pool. Fourth-placed Argentina are expected to add to their four points when they meet Chile on Saturday before a potential second-place decider against Japan in the last round of group games.

Relive the match below, get all the Rugby World Cup odds here and the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here.

Japan vs Samoa - Rugby World Cup live updates

• Japan edge past 14-man Samoa 28-22 in Pool D of the Rugby World Cup
• Japan set up likely winner-take-all clash for quarter-final place against Argentina
• Ben Lam red card: Why was Samoa star sent off against Japan?
• FULL-TIME! Japan 28-22 Samoa
• 78’ - TRY! Leali’ifano sets up thrilling finale (JPN 28-22 SAM)
• 64’ - TRY! Paia’aua brings 14-man Samoa closer (JPN 25-15 SAM)
• 50’ - RED CARD! Lam’s yellow card upgraded to red for contact to the head (JPN 22-8 SAM)
• 48’ - TRY! Himeno goes over from another driving maul (JPN 22-8 SAM)
• 37’ - TRY! Lam dots down at the back of a rolling maul to narrow the gap (JPN 17-8 SAM)
• 31’ - TRY! Veteran Leitch dives over in the corner (JPN 17-3 SAM)
• 13’ - TRY! Labuschagne burrows over from close range (JPN 7-0 SAM)

[28 September 2023 21:04 · Imogen Ainsworth]

SECOND HALF Japan 17 - 8 Samoa

40 mins: Rikiya Matsuda gets the second half under way!

Shota Horie’s card remains as a yellow, he’ll return to the pitch in five minutes.

[28 September 2023 21:01 · Luke Baker]

HALF-TIME: Japan 17-8 Samoa

Here are the Japan tries from that first half in Toulouse.

[28 September 2023 20:58 · Imogen Ainsworth]

First half stats

Territory: Japan 38%, Samoa 62%

Metres carried: Japan 182, Samoa 189

Tackles: Japan 96, Samoa 39

Tackles missed: Japan 15, Samoa 12

Top tackler: Shota Horie (15)

Top metres: Lomano Lemeki (89)

Top offloads: Duncan Paia’aua (3)

[28 September 2023 20:52 · Imogen Ainsworth]

HALF TIME Japan 17 - 8 Samoa

Japan:

Tries - Pieter Labuschagne (13’), Michael Leitch (32’)

Conversions - Rikiya Matsuda (15’, 33’)

Penalty - Rikiya Matsuda (28’)

Samoa:

Try - Seilala Lam (38’)

Penalty - Alai D’Angelo Leuila (25’)

[28 September 2023 20:46 · Imogen Ainsworth]

TRY! Japan 17 - 8 Samoa

37 mins: A massive rolling maul and Seilala Lam dots down for Samoa!

Christian Leali’ifano’s conversion is slightly wide.

Samoa have worked their way back into the game in the last few minutes and are looking a lot more positive.

[28 September 2023 20:44 · Imogen Ainsworth]

YELLOW CARD Japan 17 - 3 Samoa

36 mins: Shota Horie is yellow-carded for an upright tackle which makes head contact. Both sides down to 14, and Horie’s card has been sent to the bunker.

[28 September 2023 20:39 · Imogen Ainsworth]

CONVERSION! Japan 17 - 3 Samoa

32 mins: Matsuda with the kick!

Jonathan Taumateine has been yellow-carded for Samoa in the interim for his dangerous tackle in the build-up to the try. The bad luck worsens for Samoa as kicker Alai D’Angelo Leuila leaves the pitch to be replaced by Danny Toala.

[28 September 2023 20:37 · Imogen Ainsworth]

TRY! Japan 15 - 3 Samoa

31 mins: Lemeki with a strong carry as he receives the ball from Dylan Riley. Japan work their way to the other side of the pitch and Leitch is lurking in the corner as he often does and gets the perfect pass from Matsuda to score out wide!

[28 September 2023 20:34 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 10 - 3 Samoa

28 mins: Samoa penalised for being off their feet again.

Leitch does well to hold onto the ball at the lineout.

[28 September 2023 20:33 · Imogen Ainsworth]

PENALTY! Japan 10 - 3 Samoa

27 mins: Matsuda adds three points!