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Colombia vs Japan: Live Updates, Score and Reaction from World Cup Game
Colombia (National Football) vs Japan (National Football)
Saransk
The World Cup gets its first sight of the hugely exciting Colombia side when they face off against Japan at the Saransk Arena on Tuesday. Group H is the final pool to get underway, but it could be one worth waiting for if the likes of Juan Quintero and Radamel Falcao hit the ground running for Colombia. The South Americans made it to the quarter finals four years ago and will be looking for that at least this time around. It will be a tough task for a Japan side who will look to Shinji Kagawa for inspiration.
Substitute Keisuke Honda took a corner, which Yuya Osako leaped highest for and headed off the post and into the net. That left Japan to mostly play an effective keep-away game for the final 20 minutes.
Japan became the latest side to pull off an upset at the World Cup, joining Mexico, Switzerland and Iceland in earning surprising results. This scoreline was particularly unexpected in light of the fact that Japan had changed coaches shortly before the tournament, and because no Asian team had ever previously defeated a South American side in 17 World Cup meetings.
Group H, which also includes Poland and Senegal, was said to be the most evenly matched at the World Cup. But many still ranked Japan the weakest of the teams. After this win, Japan is in pole position to qualify.
Andrew Das: That’s an enormous result for Japan, and it really scrambles the group — and perceptions. Japan is in its sixth straight World Cup but has long been seen as a rider more than a driver. It has advanced to the round of 16 only twice — on home soil in 2002 and again in 2010 — but promptly went right out. This victory, over a good Colombia team many thought could win the group, just put Poland and Senegal on notice.
Here’s how Japan beat Colombia:
90’ + 4: Colombia Pressing
Colombia is doing everything it can to push the ball forward. A couple desperation shots make it interesting, but no real threat.
90’: Stoppage Time
Five minutes of stoppage time. Colombia throws everyone forward. But Japan clears the ball away again. Tick. tick. tick.
89’: Colombia Still Battling
A series of throw-ins leads to a series of headers from Colombia, who are absolutely frantic at this point. None of those headers leads to a shot on goal, however.
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87’: Frustration Sets In
Yellow for James Rodriguez for a challenge from behind. That’s not what Colombia wants, especially now that it looks like it will need 4 or 6 points from its last two games.
85’: Time Running Out for Colombia
Japan is killing the game off effectively. Time is Japan’s friend and Colombia’s enemy. When Colombia finally does get the ball it passes it away.
81’: Japan Keeps It
Japan regained possession and started an extended game of keepaway. Twenty passes, 30, maybe 40.
79’: Colombia Goes on the Attack
Falcao got the ball on a break, but two Japanese defenders closed him down and Japan dealt with the ensuing corner. Then James got a clear shot on goal, but it was deflected over by a diving Osako. Another corner and Colombia is pouring it on.
73: GOAL! Japan Takes the Lead
Japan was dominating and got their goal. It’s striker Yuya Osako with the header off the Honda corner. Osaka finds the inside of the post. Textbook score and Colombia finally paid for its lack of numbers. Now it will be up to James and Falcao to come up with something for Colombia.
72’: There’s Honda
Honda fired at goal almost immediately, drawing a save, although the shot would have been just wide.
69’ Kagawa Off
Japan’s penalty scorer, Kagawa is out. Keisuke Honda is in. Honda scored in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Colombia counters, bringing on Bacca for Izquierdo.
67’: Colombia Scrambles to Survive
Japan zipped the ball into and around the Colombia penalty area for an endless stretch. Nervous moments for Colombia, which hasn’t been able to clear, much less mount a scoring challenge of its own.
61’: Rodriguez Busy Right Away
James Rodriguez got right into the action, passing, dribbling and showing no obvious signs of injury.
60’: Free Kick Goes Wide
A free kick for Japan, and Yoshida jumped the highest. But he headed wide. The attack continues ...
59’: James Rodriguez Checks In
James Rodriguez! Colombia’s superstar checks in, injury and all. This could be a huge moment for Colombia, which has struggled this half.
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57’: Japan Fires Away
Inui got free on the left, and he fired a curler that drew a diving save. Colombia’s goalkeeper, David Ospina, is holding his own, but it’s all Japan right now.
54’: Japan’s Numbers Starting to Show
Another run by Japan. Osako forced a save on a close-in shot. Japan’s advantage in numbers is really telling the story.
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51’: Corner to Japan
Yoshida got it with his back to goal but was muscled off the ball. Japan the better start here.
49’: Japan Looks to Run
Japan comes out running. Nagatomo puts a good ball in the box, but it’s dealt with easily by Colombia’s defense.
46’: Second Half Begins
The second half kicks off. Halftime talking points centered on the Colombia goal. Did Falcao dive to earn the free kick (Kind of?) Did the wall make a huge mistake by jumping? (Clearly.)
Halftime: 1-1 After a Busy First Half
An eventful half ends. Colombia has the momentum, but may start to tire in the second half with 10 men. And will the Colombians bring out James Rodriguez at some point?
For a game with so much incident and so many momentum swings, the stats ended up curiously even. Possession was 52-48 in favor of Japan, shots were even at 5-5, corners were 2-1 Japan.
Andrew Das: Japan’s early lead was a surprise, since African and Asian teams have won only one game at the World Cup. That was Iran, but Japan over Colombia would be much bigger than that.
43’: Who’s the Favorite Now?
Colombia, the prematch favorite, which just used its attacking might to equalize? Or Japan with a man advantage? It’s close.
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39’: GOAL! Colombia Levels
Juan Quintero of Colombia tied it up! It was a much more dangerous free kick, just outside the box. The wall jumped, but the shot went low, slid under them, then just trickled into the corner just as Japan’s keeper fell on it.
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Andrew Das: Japan protested, but goal line technology proves its value again. Though anyone with two eyes could see that was across the line. All square.
36’: Falcao Busy
Besides working hard, Falcao is also spending a lot of time on the ground. He pirouetted in a fall to win a free kick. But the forest of Japanese defenders foil it. Update: Falcao fell down again.
33’: Falcao, Just Short
Falcao broke for goal onside and between two defenders, then leapt athletically to get a toe on a pass. But it went right to the keeper, again. Falcao is working hard and in the absence of James Rodriguez is going to be the focal point of Colombia’s comeback bid. Of course, Japan knows this and will keep him well covered.
31’: Japan Wastes a Good Chance
Osako stole the ball near the Colombian goal with an open look, but launched a ball to nowhere. Was that supposed to be a shot or a cross? Either way a possible chance wasted.
26’: Japan’s Advantage
11 may not seem like a whole lot more than 10. But at this level, the man-advantage is enormous. It will mean more space to work in, more time on the ball, more comfort in defense. Japan will enjoy this advantage.
24’: Can Columbia Press for 70 Minutes?
Colombia is pressing a deliberate Japan to try to get possession. This is going to really tire the team out over the next 70 minutes.
22’: Japan Slows Down
Japan is advancing the ball at a glacial pace. You can’t blame them. They have the lead and have superior numbers. Why push anything at this point?
18’: Cuadrado Loses One-on-One
Juan Cuadrado is a dangerous player on the wing, and he tried to show off some of that skill one-on-one against Nagatomo at the end line. But the Japanese defender is up to the challenge and dispossesses him.
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14’: Japan Threatens Again
Japan took advantage of their superior numbers and developed an opportunity against an overstretched defense. But Takashi Inui went wide.
Colombia then makes some noise on the counterattack, but it leads nowhere.
12’: Falcao Makes a Run
Colombia’s Falcao beat the defense and got to a through ball with a sliding shot. Right to Japan’s goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima though.
10’: Short-Handed Colombia in Trouble Now
Colombia must attack now and must do it with 10 men. This is a dire situation, especially with 80 minutes to go.
5’: GOAL! Japan Scores on Penalty Kick
Disaster for Colombia. Osako raced past the Colombian defense and was in alone on goal. Ospina made the save and it rebounded to Kagawa who was following the play. His shot was blocked, but Carlos Sanchez used his hand! Red card for Sanchez. The penalty is taken by Kagawa. Low and steady into the net.
Kickoff!
Japan in blue, Colombia in yellow. With James Rodriguez out, Colombia will turn to its captain, Falcao, for its goals. Falcao is 32, but playing in his first World Cup. He was injured in 2014 and Colombia missed the three Cups before that. He has 29 goals for Colombia in his career, the record.
Colombia vs Japan: Live blog, text commentary, line-ups, stream & TV channel
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Colombia will be looking to repeat their standout performance in Brazil four years ago with an opening Group H match against Japan in Russia
And there's the full-time whistle! Japan eventually capitalised on Colombia's early red card, and have blown Group H wide open with a remarkable win over their more-fancied opponents! Kagawa slotted home his penalty with no fuss after Carlos Sanchez's handball saw him sent off after just three minutes, and Osako cancelled out Quintero's clever free-kick with an emphatic header in off the post! It finishes 2-1 to Japan!
FULL-TIME: COLOMBIA 1-2 JAPAN
90+4 mins: Japan are moments away from what would be their first-ever victory over Colombia - or indeed any South American side!
90+3 mins: Kawashima picks up a yellow card for time-wasting, but he won't care if they see this through!
90+3 mins: Inui, who has done so much positive work going forward, gets back well now to put in an excellent challenge on the marauding Arias.
90+2 mins: Colombia have everyone forward and Japan have everyone back now. Can they cling on for three more minutes? Murillo launches the ball forward but Kawashima is able to cling on. Poor ball there.
90+1 mins: There will be FIVE minutes added on here. Can Colombia salvage something from this game?
90 mins: A dangerous cross from the left is only headed as far out as Arias, who puts the ball back into the box for Rodriguez, and he tries a headed one-two with Falcao, but the striker is offside and the ball was intercepted anyway.
89 mins: Mojica surges forward well from left-back, but has to settle for a throw after being denied a free-kick when he was barged to the floor.
88 mins: Colombia eventually get themselves back on the ball as they win a throw in, and immediately look to hit Falcao, but the ball in behind is cut out and Japan begin to recycle possession again.
86 mins: Rodriguez picks up a yellow card and cuts an angry figure. That's a result of frustration as much as anything.
85 mins: Osako, who has made a real nuisance of himself today, is replaced by Okazaki, the first-choice striker whose limited involvement today came courtesy of a calf complaint.
84 mins: Japan are controlling the game very well here, keeping hold of the ball with safe passes and moving it around well rather than just sitting back and inviting pressure. Excellent game-management. Colombia look spent, but is there a moment of magic left in them?
82 mins: Sakai gets forward well and lofts a cross in towards Osako, but this time, he can't direct his header anywhere near the target under close attention from Davinson Sanchez.
80 mins: Shibasaki makes way for Yamaguchi as Nishino looks to preserve his side's precious lead.
79 mins: CHANCE! The ball is lofted to the back post towards Bacca and Rodriguez, but neither can make much contact on the ball and Kawashima clings on gratefully!
78 mins: CHANCE! Rodriguez finds himself with a golden chance to snatch an equaliser, but Osako - of all people - gets back to make a ridiculous block from close-range and send the playmaker's effort flying over the top of the bar!
75 mins: This result - should it stay this way - could blow this already tight-looking group wide open. Japan looked the weakest of the four sides on paper, but three points here could set them up for qualification to the knockout stages!
74 mins: Honda has only been on the pitch for about three minutes, but his inswinging corner was into a dangerous area with great trajectory, and Osako did the rest with aplomb!
73 mins: GOAL!!!!! JAPAN TAKE THE LEAD AGAIN! Osako makes it 2-1! Honda whips in a delightful cross from the corner and the striker gets up well to power home his header via the inside of the post!
72 mins: CHANCE! Sakai receives an excellent lay-off in the box and seems destined to score, but a last-ditch block sends the ball spinning behind for a corner!
70 mins: Kagawa goes off for Honda in a like-for-like substitution as Japan head coach Akira Nishino searches for a winning goal.
Izquierdo is replaced by Bacca as Jose Pekerman switches to a 4-3-2 formation, bringing the striker on to partner Falcao up front. Izquierdo has had a quiet game by his standards.
69 mins: A clever ball from Inui into Nagatomo causes mild chaos at the back for Colombia, as Ospina and Davinson Sanchez just about smuggle the ball away between them.
67 mins: Colombia are really struggling to get a foot on the ball now as Japan advance higher and higher, pushing them back into their own penalty area and pinning them back.
65 mins: BLOCK! Inui has been Japan's chief threat going forward in this game, and he gets himself into another good position here, coming in off the left, but his strike at goal from outside the box is blocked away.
64 mins: Barrios fouls Kagawa and, despite Rodriguez's protestations, picks up the first yellow card of the game.
63 mins: Japan have had arguably their best period of the game, moving the ball well and putting pressure on Colombia. They need to keep doing this if they are to press their man advantage and claim all three points.
61 mins: CHANCE! Izquierdo can't track the run of Sakai closely enough, and the Japanese full-back gets beyond him and fizzes a ball into a dangerous area, but it runs out for a goal-kick. Perhaps he was caught between crossing and shooting there, and ended up doing neither.
60 mins: MISS! Yoshida gets up brilliantly above Davinson Sanchez to meet a free-kick with his head, but can only drop it just wide of the near post! Great chance for the Southampton centre-back there.
59 mins: Colombia goalscorer Quintero reluctantly makes way for Rodriguez, who wasn't fit enough to start, and he's greeted by huge cheers from the Colombian supporters.
57 mins: SAVE! Davinson Sanchez is caught out of position again as Inui is released on the left once more. He declines to shoot on his left, instead cutting inside the Tottenham defender and curling one towards the far corner that Ospina palms away well!
56 mins: Arias does excellently to win the ball back on the right, despite being faced with a two-on-one, and drives away to spark a Colombia attack.
54 mins: SAVE! Osako gets in behind Davinson Sanchez well, just as he did in the build up to the penalty in the first half, turning him and drilling a low show shot towards the near post on the left, but Ospina is down well to make the save!
52 mins: Izquierdo tries to wriggle inside from the left wing, cutting inside one man, then another, but he holds it too long and loses possession. He had a quiet first half by his standards, and that was the first we've really seen of him driving and running at defenders.
50 mins: CHANCE! Yoshida controls well from the whipped corner, but he can't turn with his back to goal and the ball is eventually poked away from him. There was a moment of panic for Colombia there, but they dealt with the danger well.
49 mins: Lerma covers back well, heading behind from Inui's cross to concede a corner.
48 mins: Japan start the second half brightly, working the ball from right to left and then into the middle, btu Colombia stand frim and repel the danger.
46 mins: And we're back underway for the second half of this very entertaining clash!
Ahead of the second half, Japan will look to make more of their extra man than they have done. They've moved the ball too slowly and wasted the chances that they have created, but if they can hang on into the latter stages of the game, they will fancy their chances of capitalising on tired Colombian legs. Colombia will hope to continue as they have done so far, and still look liek they believe they can win this game!
What a half of football! Colombia are involved in yet another entertaining World Cup game, seeing Carlos Sanchez sent off for handball just three minutes in, Kagawa dispatching the subsequent penalty with ease. However, the South Americans kept pushing forward, and Quintero equalised with a clever free-kick under the wall that just crept over the line! It's 1-1 at the break!
HALF-TIME : COLOMBIA 1-1 JAPAN
45 mins: Japan are just clinging on here, as Colombia seem to be riding their momentum and putting the Japanese under pressure. They've just moved the ball far too slowly after going 1-0 up, and have paid the price for allowing their opponents back into the game.
42 mins: Falcao gives away a foul on Japan's left-hand side, as Nagatomo tries to advance down the line and help restore his team's advantage.
39 mins: GOAL!!!! QUINTERO EQUALISES! It's now 1-1! It's a really clever free-kick as he fizzes it under the jumping wall and into the bottom corner! The keeper catches it just as it crosses the line and tries to protest, but the goal-line technology gives the goal! 10-man Colombia are back on level terms!
38 mins: Moments later, though, Falcao does win a free-kick on the right-hand side, although it's a contentious one.
37 mins: NO PENALTY! The free-kick is lofted in, but Japan head partially away. Falcao tries to make something happen in the box and goes down under pressure, but the referee isn't interested.
36 mins: Quintero stands over a free-kick on the left after a foul by Hasebe. Colombia are certainly a greater physical presence in the box.
34 mins: SAVE! Falcao gets another chance but, just like his first, he's stretching to reach it and can only poke it on target, allowing the keeper to catch comfortably.
32 mins: CHANCE! An under-hit pass causes all sorts of problems at the back for Colombia, before Nagatomo's cross deflects onto the roof of the net for a corner! Japan are probing and pressing here.
31 mins: It's actually Cuadrado who makes way for Barrios! That is very surprising, as he's looked their brightest player so far. Quintero moves out to the right flank.
29 mins: Lerma gives away a free-kick in the centre of the park as Barrios - a central midfielder - is warming up on the sidelines and looks ready to come on. Possibly for Quintero as a more natural holding player?
27 mins: Japan try to work an opening down the left, but the cross is too central and is easy work for Ospina, who makes the catch.
25 mins: CHANCE! A wonderful cross from the left is aimed at Cuadrado, who had made a very clever run into the box, but Nagatomo watched him all the way and cleared it out for a corner. Cuadrado has looked very bright, but Nagatomo has been equal to the task of marking him so far.
23 mins: The corner is taken short before being lofted into the box from the inside-right channel, but Japan give a free-kick away and the chance is gone.
22 mins: Haraguchi is released down the line well, but he's marked closely and has to settle for a corner.
20 mins: Shigasaki makes an excellent challenge on the edge of his penalty box, robbing Cuadrado of the ball just as he was pulling the trigger to shoot! Wonderfully-timed tackle there.
18 mins: Cuadrado makes a nuisance of himself again down the right, but takes one too many touches in his attempt to beat left-back Nagatomo, who stands his gorund well and the ball eventually runs out of play for a goal-kick.
16 mins: Colombia do look exposed now that they are a man down, but they've steadied themselves quickly and are still looking to impose themselves on the game, using the pace of Cuadrado and Izquierdo to break.
14 mins: MISS! Japan win the ball in the centre of the park and break quickly on an exposed Colombian defence, working it wide to Inui on the left, but the winger just can't curl his shot inside the far post!
12 mins: SAVE! Colombia are doing their best to get themselves back into this one, and win a free-kick high up the field. It's curled into Falcao, who manages to direct it on target on the stretch, but Kawashima had positioned himself well and made a comfortable catch.
10 mins: Colombia have settled into a 4-4-1 formation, with Quintero dropping deeper to sit alongside Lerma.
8 mins: Cuadrado tries to get his side back on level terms as he surges down the right, before slowing up and trying to feed the overlapping run of right-back Arias, but the offside flag goes up.
6 mins: GOAL!! KAGAWA SCORES! He's made it 1-0 to Japan! The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is unfazed by Ospina's attempts to delay the penalty and put him off, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotting coolly into the corner!
3 mins: RED CARD! Unsurprisingly, Carlos Sanchez is shown a straight red card for blocking Kagawa's shot with his arm. Colombia down to 10 men so early in this game!
PENALTY! WHAT A START! A Colombia attack breaks down and Japan break quickly through Osaka, who forces a good save from Ospina, but the ball falls kindly for Kagawa, whose shot on goal is blocked by the arm of Carlos Sanchez!!! Unbelievable!
1 min: Here we go! The first fixture of a very competitive-looking Group H gets underway!
5 mins until KO : The teams are out, and we're ready for the national anthems.
20 mins until KO: The history doesn't make good reading for Japan, who never beaten Colombia (D1 L2), last losing 4-1 in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup. In fact, Japan have never beaten a South American side at a World Cup in four previous attempts (D1 L3).
Colombia are one of the tournament's perennial entertainers, however, and have never recorded a goalless draw at the showpiece event in 18 games - the third-highest tally behind the USA and Austria.
However, Japan have been a regular presence in the World Cup in recent times, having qualified for all six tournaments since their debut in 1998. Colombia, on the other hand, missed out on three in a row between 2002 and 2010.
25 mins until KO: Both sides are missing a key forward today - Colombia are without the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner Rodriguez due to a muscle complaint, while Japan are without Leicester City striker Okazaki because of a calf problem. Both players make their respective benches, but it remains to be seen if they are fit enough to have any part in the game.
28 mins until KO: Japan XI (4-2-3-1): Eiji Kawashima; Yuto Nagatomo, Gen Shoji, Maya Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai; Gaku Shibasaki, Makoto Hasebe; Takashi Inui, Shinji Kagawa, Genki Haraguchi; Yuya Osako.
Japan substitutes: Keisuke Honda, Naomichi Ueda, Hotaru Yamaguchi, Kosuke Nakamura, Yoshinori Muto, Wataru Endo, Shinji Okazaki, Gotoku Sakai, Ryota Oshima, Takashi Usami, Tomoaki Makino, Masaaki Higashiguchi
29 mins until KO: The line-ups are out, and we'll start with Colombia.
Colombia XI (4-2-3-1): David Ospina; Johan Mojica, Davinson Sanchez, Oscar Murillo, Santiago Arias; Carlos Sanchez, Jefferson Lerma; Jose Izquierdo, Juan Quintero, Juan Cuadrado; Radamel Falcao
Colombia substitutes: Wilmar Barrios, Camilo Vargas, Jose Cuadrado, Yerry Mina, Cristian Zapata, James Rodriguez, Miguel Borja, Mateus Uribe, Carlos Bacca, Abel Aguilar, Luis Muriel, Farid Diaz
30 mins until KO: Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Group H match between Colombia and Japan at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Squads & Team News
Colombia starting XI: Ospina; Arias, Davidson, Murillo, Mojica, Sánchez, Lerma, Izquierdo, Quintero, Cuadrado, Falcao
Japan starting XI: Kawashima, Shoji, Nagatomo, Sakai, Yoshida, Shibasaki, Hasebe, Haraguchi, Kagawa, Inui, Osako.
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
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World Cup: A pair of quick fire goals from Russian pair Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba all but consigned Egypt to an embarrassing World Cup exit.
FOUR teams lined up for their first game of the tournament before host nation Russia doomed Egypt’s campaign in Saint Petersburg.
Japan wrote its name into the record books after toppling Colombia and becoming the first Asian nation to defeat a South American opponent at a World Cup. The win came with plenty of drama thanks to an early Colombian red card.
The second game of the night saw Senegal upset Poland at Spartak Stadium before the home fans were given even more reasons to cheer as Russia backed up its 5-0 opening win against Saudi Arabia with a 3-1 victory over Egypt.
Cruel moment in World Cup crisis Russia scored three goals in a 15-minute span early in the second half to set up a 3-1 win over Egypt on Wednesday morning (AEST), moving the host nation to the brink of the World Cup’s knockout stage. Mohamed Salah won and converted a penalty for a consolation goal on his return from injury but Egypt’s first World Cup in 28 years could be over in barely five days following a second straight loss. Ahmed Fathi poked the ball into his own net — for the fifth own goal of the tournament — to put Russia ahead in the 47th minute. It was the cruellest moment of the World Cup — a captain sparking his own team’s demise, which will likely see it bundled out of the tournament. “It’s a calamity really for the captain of Egypt, it really is,” the commentator said. “This is a crisis for Egypt. They’ve got to come up with something and fast.” GOAL! Own-goal! A crazy own-goal sees Fathi turn it into his own net. Russia lead 1-0. It's the fifth own goal of this World Cup. #RUSEGY #WorldCup #SBSTheWorldGame pic.twitter.com/NltI0awBqn — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 19, 2018 Then Denis Cheryshev and Artyom Dzyuba scored in quick succession to leave Russia on course for a victory that followed up a 5-0 opening-night win over Saudi Arabia. It was Cheryshev’s third goal of the World Cup, putting him tied with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scoring chart. “It’s been a fatal cocktail for Egypt really, they just haven’t had enough creativity and invention up front and they have been, well, too many bad moments at the back at the start of the second half,” a commentator said. Russia’s place in the round of 16 will be assured if Uruguay wins or draws against the Saudis on Wednesday. Those two scenarios would also eliminate Egypt, which started with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay. The hopes of 100 million Egyptians were raised when Salah was selected in the starting line-up, the Liverpool forward making his comeback after nearly a month out with damaged ligaments in his left shoulder after a tangle with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final. Salah trotted out for his pre-match warm-up to roars from Egypt fans, who at times appeared to outnumber their Russian counterparts. They shouted every time Salah’s face flashed up on the big screen and when his name was announced before kick-off. Yet from the start, it was clear that Salah was staying out of anything too physical and there was no concerted effort from his Egypt teammates to pick him out each time. He didn’t touch the ball until the seventh minute. He did win the penalty — confirmed by the video assistant referee after Salah was pulled down by Roman Zobnin. He converted it in the 73rd minute, but it wasn’t enough. Egypt is still without a victory in six World Cup matches. Russia is nearly assured of advancing from the group stage for the first time since the Soviet era. Cheryshev, who entered the World Cup as a fringe player, is proving lethal in front of goal, with his latest a side-footed effort from close range from Mario Fernandes’ cross in the 59th minute. Dzyuba’s goal was more direct, the striker chesting down a long ball from defender Ilya Kutepov, beating his marker and curling home a low finish. Russia took advantage of Egypt’s defensive mistakes to cruise into a three-goal lead out of nothing. Fathi’s attempted clearance for the first goal was sloppy, as was Ali Gabr’s attempt at closing down Dzyuba for the third goal. Cheryshev continues to make those late runs in the area and is an unlikely leading scorer through two matches. — AP Share
Senegal completes group of chaos Japan became the first Asian nation to topple a South American opponent at a World Cup in the opening game of the night, then it was Senegal who became the first African nation in Russia to score. Senegal completed the chaotic night after defeating Poland 2-1 amid a sea of pure carnage. The drought was broken in the 37th minute after Idrissa Gueye’s shot on goal took a heavy deflection off Thiago Cionek and completely wrong-footed goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The goal was officially listed as an own-goal for Cionek. It wasn’t until the second half that Poland registered their first official shot on goal when star striker Robert Lewandowski curled a free-kick up and over the wall. Thankfully for Senegal keeper Khadim N’Diaye was in the right place to stop the shot from entering the back of the net. The second goal was met with controversy after M’Baye Niang was waved back onto the field at an unusual time by the referee. Niang was standing on the sidelines after receiving treatment when he snuck back onto the pitch and pounced on a loose pass from Poland that sat into their final defender and their keeper. Niang managed to get his foot to the ball first and after getting around the keeper he ran into an empty goal and casually tapped in the games second goal. GOAL. Senegal leads Poland 2-0 https://t.co/MqrMxckGGP pic.twitter.com/HN7GJmSGjE — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 19, 2018 Poland secured a late goal off of the head of Grzegorz Krychowiak in minute 86, but despite some heavy pressure in the dying minutes they were unable to secure the draw. Little too late for Poland.
Krychowiak, managed to score a late header, but it wasn't enough to get over Senegal.
Poland 1-2 Senegal #POLSEN #OptusSport #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YX9hfVwbsn — Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 19, 2018 The results from Group H’s first two games have turned the World Cup on its head with the two favourites to advance out of the group now sitting firmly with their backs against the wall. Senegal’s first appearance back in the World Cup since 2002 got off to the perfect start and they’ll look to emulate their run into the quarterfinals. Share
History made after ‘bonehead play’ After making it all the way into the quarterfinal stages during the 2014 World Cup behind the play of eventual Golden Boot winner James Rodriquez, Colombia were looking to go one step further. Japan however had other ideas as they pulled off the stunning upset to claim the 2-1 victory in their opening encounter. The win for Japan is a historic one as it makes them the first Asian side to claim a win over a South American opponent in the World Cup. Only a matter of minutes into the clash it all went south for Colombia after defender Carlos Sanchez was shown a red card. Some quick Japanese ball movement saw them slice through the Colombian defence, and although goalkeeper David Ospina made the initial save, the ball stayed in play. After the ball deflected back into the middle of the pitch, a secondary strike was blocked by the right arm of Sanchez. The referee quickly pointed to the penalty spot before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the card. Colombia's disastrous start against Japan 0:47 World Cup: Colombia find themselves a man and a goal down inside the first five minutes of their Group H clash with Japan. The send-off is the first of the World Cup and put Colombia squarely behind the eight ball, but they continued to push and attack. The move from Sanchez to block the shot with his hand was savagely ripped apart by ESPN’s Gabriele Marcotti. Carlos Sanchez is 32 years old. I know there's instinct and adrenaline, but saving a goalbound shot with your hand in an age of VAR just minutes into a WC game is the ultimate bonehead play. — Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) June 19, 2018 After several chances went begging, they finally cracked through and levelled the score right before the halftime whistle thanks to a stunning goal. Juanifer Quintero earned a spot in the starting line-up after Colombia’s star striker James Rodriquez failed to overcome a left calf injury in time. Quintero sent his shot from just outside the box underneath the feet of the wall and watched as it slid into the goals where Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima tried desperately to keep it from crossing the line. WHAT A FREE-KICK! 1-1! Quintero levels for 10-man Colombia! What a game! WATCH on @SBS right now! #COLJPN #WorldCup #SBSTheWorldGame pic.twitter.com/mga7zTnJRO — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 19, 2018 Unfortunately the disadvantage caught up with Colombia in the second half as Japan began to assert their dominance. On several occasions Japan carved their way deep into attack and continued to keep Ospina on his toes. The matchwinner was eventually delivered when Yuya Osako rose up from a corner kick and headed a ball goalwards. It deflected off of the right post and into the goal. With a little over 15 minutes remaining on the clock after taking the 2-1 lead, Japan boarded up their defence and held out Colombia to claim the historic win. Colombia’s hopes of replicating their stellar 2014 World Cup run becomes an increasingly tough task following the loss and means they’ll need to secure wins over both Poland and Senegal to ensure they advance out of the group stage. Japan now have a fantastic opportunity to move out of group H and into the round of 32. Share
