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 21:46 · Imogen Ainsworth]

PENALTY! Japan 28 - 15 Samoa

74 mins: Matsuda does it again!

[28 September 2023 21:45 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 25 - 15 Samoa

73 mins: Japan have the penalty as Samoa are penalised for being off their feet. Matsuda to kick.

[28 September 2023 21:42 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 25 - 15 Samoa

70 mins: Samoa do well to defend a messy maul to deny Japan the score and have the scrum. They’re playing well despite being down a player.

[28 September 2023 21:41 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 25 - 15 Samoa

69 mins: Samoa give a penalty away for not rolling away, Japan to the corner for the lineout.

[28 September 2023 21:39 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 25 - 15

67 mins: Japan with the scrum now as McFarland knocks the ball on.

[28 September 2023 21:37 · Imogen Ainsworth]

TRY! Japan 25 - 15 Samoa

64 mins: Duncan Paia'aua scores as Theo McFarland gives him the ball from the ruck and the fullback scores past Matsushima! McFarland great in the build-up as he gives an offload to Leali’ifano before staying in the game to deliver the ball to Paia’aua.

Christian Leali’ifano with the conversion.

[28 September 2023 21:34 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 25 - 8 Samoa

62 mins: Matsushima gets more of an opportunity to stretch his legs and speeds away to score, but the ball is knocked on (only just) by Riley in the build-up as both him and Michael Alaalatoa scramble to get the ball on the floor so the bonus-point score isn’t given.

Samoa with the scrum now.

[28 September 2023 21:31 · Luke Baker]

Ben Lam red card: Why was Samoa star sent off against Japan at Rugby World Cup?

Ben Lam became the latest player to see a yellow card upgraded to a red following a review from the TMO bunker during the Japan vs Samoa match at the Rugby World Cup.

In the second half of the Pool D contest, Samoan winger Lam’s shoulder connected with the head of Japan back row Lappies Labuschagne while making a tackle, who went off for a HIA.

Referee Jaco Peyper initially sent the flyer to the sin-bin but, using the bunker system, that was upgraded to a red card soon after, with the foul play review officer ruling that it was a shoulder direct to head with significant force and not enough mitigation to remain a yellow card.

[28 September 2023 21:31 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 25 - 8 Samoa

61 mins: Kotaro Matsushima looks electric when given the space and he makes a break!

[28 September 2023 21:29 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Japan 25 - 8 Samoa

59 mins: Tumua Manu makes a break but McFarland can’t gather the offload that’s given rather low before Manu hits the floor from a tackle, Japan turn the ball over.