Both Japan and Senegal find themselves firmly in the contest for spots in the Round of 16 after a 2-2 draw.
Final score
Japan 2
Senegal 2
Japan and Senegal will meet in the second match of the groups stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup for both sides, and it may well be a game that sees one lock in a spot in the final sixteen.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game at Ekaterinburg Arena in the early hours of Monday morning, starting from 1am AEST.
Both of these sides were able to take wins in their first match of the groups stage, and funnily enough both happened to do so with a 2-1 scoreline.
Japan defeated Colombia shortly before Senegal defeated Poland, giving both of these nations a nice early advantage in seeking to make it to the knockout stage of the tournament.
The end result is that both already has three points to their name and that means they only need a single win to guarantee passage into the round of 16.
The loser – or both sides in the case of a draw – will still be vulnerable to being overtaken by one of Poland or Colombia, especially if one of them decisively wins the other Group H matchup today.
Senegal will come into this one as favourites, but by no means comfortable favourites, and it could prove to be a tight contest between the two.
Senegal are ranked No.27 in the world, Japan No.61.
Prediction
A victory for the Senegalese, and passage into the Round of 16, looks the most likely result.
Senegal 2-1.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game between Japan and Senegal in the groups stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Ekaterinburg Arena in the early hours of Monday morning, starting from 1am AEST.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Great game in the end. Power and height vs tactics and technique. An intruiging combination. In the end you get the feeling Japan missed the win with Osako's airswing at an empty net. Senegal looked good when they played the power game but Japan drew them into a more technical encounter which didn't suit. The moment they started looking for crafty balls through the Japanese rather than utilising their distinct height advantage you had the feeling the Japanese had their measure. Another poor game from Kawashima. Surely Nishino has to replace him for the game against Poland.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME SENEGAL 2-2 JAPAN Great contest between these two Group H sides which has led to a draw. Neither team has confirmed their spot for the Round of 16. Japan will rue some great chances that were missed in the second half whilst Senegal will be pleased with the point. Both teams are level on four points. It's the perfect result for Colombia and Poland who are chasing their first points and keeps their hopes for qualifying and even possibly finishing 1st alive. Though the loser will be facing elimination a draw won't knock either side out but will make their lives very difficult. Join me from 4am for live coverage of the match right here on The Roar!
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Hasebe picks up a yellow card for fouling Mane who was looking to counter.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
90+2' 2-2 Senegal throwing the kitchen sink but no avail. Japan hold out.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Sabaly and N'Doye have picked up yellow cards in the last few minutes.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
90' 2-2 We have four minutes of stoppage time.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
86: Japan substitution: On: Takashi Usami Off: Takashi Inui
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
85' Senegal substitution: Injury concern for M'Baye Niang who is limping off the pitch. Stoke City forward Mame Biram Diouf replaces him.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
80' Senegal substitution On: Cheikh N'Doye Off: Badou Ndiaye 75' Japan substitution *prior to the goal* On: Shinji Okazaki Off: Genki Haraguchi
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Japan have their confidence back. I said it earlier on in the game, both these keepers are very suspect and now they have a howler each.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
He's had an injury concern since the eve of the Cup. Not sure how match-fit he is though. Got minutes against Colombia but if he makes an impact he could easily take Osako's spot who didn't have a great game.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
77' GOAL!!! Senegal 2-2 Japan Keisuke Honda levels the game after a howler from keeper N'Diaye. He failed to deal with the cross and Inui stayed calm and teed the substitute and Japanese legend.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
How on Earth was Okazaki not on from the start. He has been a very effective player for Leicester City.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
74' ANOTHER CHANCE MISSED! Osako has an opportunity from 10m out and smacks the ball right into a Senegalese thigh. It was all but in!
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Football is a harsh sport. Japan missed a sitter, smacked the crossbar and Senegal have punished them for a lapse in concentration on the other end.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Japan substitution: On: Keisuke Honda Off: Shinji Kagawa
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
70' GOAL!!!!! SENEGAL 2-1 JAPAN Moussa Wague!! The 19 year old finishes off a low cross that went through one end of the box to the other. His first international goal for Senegal. Completely unfortunate for Japan. It's against the run of play.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Kouyate's switch-pass that missed his target by 20m sums up Senegal's second-half performance.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
A training ground routine comes to nothing. Senegal are really struggling at the moment.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
68' Senegal have a free-kick on the right edge of the box.