Japan have 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.
Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch and Kazuki Himeno scored tries and 13 points from the boot of flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda gave the Brave Blossoms enough breathing space to hold off a late fightback from 14-man Samoa.
The Samoans had a try on the board from Seilala Lam before winger Ben Lam sent from the field in the 47th minute but two more from Duncan Paia'aua and former Wallaby Christian Leali'ifano in the final quarter were not enough to overhaul Japan.
Japan moved out of a tie with Samoa into second place in the pool behind England with nine points. The result also confirmed unbeaten England as pool winners.
They will finish their pool-stage matches when they take on Samoa on October 8, and will face the runners-up in Australia's Pool C in the quarter-finals on October 15.
Fourth-placed Argentina are expected to add to their four points when they meet Chile on Saturday before a potential pool decider against Japan in the last round of group games.
