The Samurais beat 10 man Colombia with 2 goals to 1

Japan beats Colombia in a close match with two goals to one in the first round of Group H in the 2018 World Cup. The Colombian team began the match dominating the midfield forcing the Samurais to defend.

The fifth minute however, was the turning point of the match, Carlos Sanchez received the first red card in the World Cup after blocking a shot that was going for goal with his hand, giving Japan a penalty in process which Shinji Kagawa scored. Colombia equalized the score with a terrific well place free kick by Fernando Quintero in the 38th minute, closing the first half with a draw.

Japan took the opportunity that the Colombians were outnumbered and applied offensive pressure from the beginning of the second half, until Osako scored the winning goal from a corner after a well timed header.