Colombia vs Japan: 2018 FIFA World Cup highlights, scores, blog

Full Time Group H has opened with a match that was replete with everything you could hope for from a football match: cards, goals, controversy, and history, all culminating with the final result of Japan winning 2-1, signifying the first Asian win in a world cup against a South American opponent. Colombia were down to ten men within 5 minutes, as an early Japanese raid saw a shot blocked by a hand ball in the penalty area. Carlos Sanchez given his marching orders as the first recipient of a red card at this world cup, in the second earliest red card in world cup history. However, the numerical disadvantage did not deter Colombia, as they made a swift tactical change, Juan Cuadrado making way for defensive stock in Wilmar Barrios. While that change was defensive, it gave Colombia the impetus to get back into the game. Colombia struck back late in the first half through a Juan Fernando Quintero free kick, his goal being the fourth goal scored in this tournament directly from free kicks. In Brazil, three goals from free kicks were scored for the whole tournament. The Quintero goal was tinged in controversy, having come from a foul on Radamal Falcao that, if anything, was drawn when Falcao made a meal of minor contact and, if anything, committed the foul on his opponent more than anything else. Japan used the half-time break greatly to their advantage, coming out in the second half in a much calmer and composed manner, to take a grip of the game that Colombia could not shake. Japan moved the ball perfectly at times, and mounted attack after attack. However, Colombia seemed more than up to the task, as they repelled each Japanese wave of attacking movement. Japan would eventually take the lead that their play deserved through Yuyu Osaka, putting a header home from a well weighted corner kick, and that lead would prove unassailable. Colombia brought James Rodriguez on with half an hour to go, the star player not starting due to a calf injury concern. James never really getting into the contest, instead picking up an unnecessary yellow card for his troubles. A thrilling encounter, if somewhat slower in the second half, but Japan finish with a win that their performance entirely deserved. Colombia will have to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and play to their maximum in the next two games, with little further room for error. And thus Japan’s win was the first by an Asian nation over a South American team at a world cup in 17 attempts at trying, the three group points the least that Japan deserved, in a commanding performance. They will not want to relax though, bearing in mind that they only faced ten men. For now though, Japan can enjoy the moment, for which they were richly rewarded, and have thoroughly deserved. Colombia have a lot of work to do, and will be surprised at their first up loss. However, they are right in this tournament, and will be mindful that they have the quality to dig themselves out of this early hole.

Full Time It is a famous victory for Japan, with a win over Colombia in their opening world cup 2018 match. What a result!

95' - Colombia have used up their last chance I reckon. Took the early throw in, cross the ball in, and that goes out of play. Japan goal kick, and they take a big one.

93' - Japan again maintain possession, Colombia rely on the rough stuff to get possession, and counter, but that backtracking defence by Japan - that energy and effort, that is what you need in a world cup!

92' - Colombia have been somewhat surprisingly tame this half, and utterly without answer to the Japanese. Still, they have done well being a man down for 85 minutes.

91' - 5 minutes stoppage time. Yeah, those substitutions will do that I guess.

90' - We are about to hit stoppage time, and Colombia cross into the area, and they exchange headers. Except they are offside. What a waste. Adjudged correctly as well.

88' - Japan still playing this out perfectly. No real Colombian pressure to speak of, Japan all over this.

That is a correction. No earlier card was given to James.

Yellow Card 86' - Rodriguez picks up a yellow. Cynical and unnecessary foul.

85' - Japan just moving the ball around, and to be honest, Colombia not putting any real pressure on, just waiting for the mistake. Which comes eventually, and Colombia with a throw in. Japan make another substitution. Osako off, the match-winner in waiting, Okazaki comes on.

83' - Now Colombia with the ball, as they move it through the feet, but Japan are right there, and intercept with ease. Japan back in possession, Colombia chasing.

82' - Japan playing this perfectly here. Holding the ball, waiting for their chance. The try a header, just wide. Colombia goal kick. But leading up to that, Japan are not being rushed in the slightest.

80' - Japan with possession again, as we enter the final ten minutes. Those three group points are in Japan's hands here.

79' - Japan will make another change here. Shibasaki coming off. Good solid game son. He limps off, and Yamaguchi comes on.

78' - And Rodriguez is in here, he shoots, WHAT A BLOCK! The resulting corner is again dealt with. That defending by Japan then was body on the line stuff.

77' - Colombia now with just their second corner for the game. Honda gave away possession too easily there, Colombia attack through Falcao. Japan handle the corner easily.