Japan registered their first ever victory over Colombia to take all three points to go on top of Group H. Goals from Shinji Kagawa and Yuya Osako as well as a red card for Carlos Sanchez Moreno sealed the victory. The stadium was painted yellow as thousands of Colombian supporters came to show their support but it wasn’t enough to inspire the South American side. Juan Fernando Quintero did level in the 39th minute following a brilliantly taken free-kick but Osako’s 73rd minute goal was the nail in the coffin for the Colombians. Sanchez’s red card in the third minute was the second fastest red card in World Cup history and the resultant penalty was the ninth of the 2018 World Cup.
Colombia came into the match, full of confidence against an opposition that has never beaten them. Their lone World Cup encounter was in 2014 when Colombia beat Japan 4-1 to knock them out of the tournament. Japan had never beaten a South American side at the World Cup Finals. Colombia, who started the match as favourites, was without their star man James Rodriguez. So, it was up to their all-time leading goal-scorer Radamel Falcao to lead the Cafeteros charge. Japan, meanwhile, started with Shinji Kagawa―the former Manchester United midfielder and Inter defender Yuto Nagatomo.
None of Colombia’s previous 18 matches had ended goalless, and true to the statistics, the first goal was scored in the sixth minute. Colombia was at the receiving end though, after Sanchez drew a penalty and was sent off for stopping a shot with his arm. Ospina’s shot rebounded to Kagawa who smacked it goalwards, but the shot was blocked by Carlos Sanchez who stuck out his arm. It was a straight red and a penalty which Kagawa put away with ease.
Colombia soon eased into the match after the initial shocker. Quintero’s free-kick was spot on for Falcao, who stretched to make contact, but hit it straight at Kawashima. Japan breathed a sigh of relief. Japan nearly doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Kagawa, after breaking through the Colombian midfield, released Inui, whose shot went wide off the post. Colombia, looked much more comfortable on the ball and seemed to attack with ease. Izquierdo set Cuadrado off towards goal, but Japan’s Shibasaki tracked him down to make a goal-saving tackle.
Colombia dominated possession despite being a man down but were unable to do anything more than create pressure. Colombia was awarded a controversial free-kick in the 38th minute, when Falcao went down just outside the penalty area. Replays showed that it was Falcao who barged in to Japan’s Hasebe to draw a foul. Quintero put the resultant free-kick away in style by driving it under the wall and into the bottom right of the post. The ball just about manages to cross the line before Kawashima caught it. He thinks he has saved the goal, but replays and the goalline technology showed that the ball had clearly crossed the line. Japan slacked in play after that and Colombia went into half time with the score level at 1-1.
The second half started with much more intent from Japan, who looked determined to make the best of their numerical advantage over their South American opponents. Nagatomo and Osako led the Japanese attack down the left flank. But they could not capitalise on the momentum as the final touch in front of goal put them down.
Japan attacked yet again in the 54th minute when Kagawa got one-on-one with Ospina, but his shot was parried away by the Japanese goalkeeper. Colombia, outnumbered since the fifth minute, were being outplayed by Japan, who dominated possession. Some clever playmaking between Shibasaki and Osako released Inui on goal, but his curler was parried away by Ospina. If the shot was great, so was the save. Colombia looked completely out of place, prompting Colombian coach Jose Pekerman to bring on the unfit James Rodriguez for Quintero.
Colombia looked like fish out of water as they struggled every time they had the ball at their feet. They were unable to put together enough passes to build up play. James’s substitution looked to be a move to bring about some sort of inspiration, but in vain. Japan brought on the experienced Honda in the 70th minute, replacing Kagawa, and he immediately sprang to action sending a Quintero-like low ball on goal but it did not yield the same result as Quintero’s. Japan took the lead soon, in the 73rd minute when Osaka headed Honda’s corner into the top right as Ospina went left. Colombia tried to get back into the game and nearly equalised when James Rodriguez sent a belter on goal but it was blocked by Osako who stuck out a toe.
In the end, it didn’t go according to script at all for Colombia who were outplayed for much of the match. Japan dominated possession and were superior in the defence, midfield and attack. True, they had the numerical advantage, but they came back reinvigorated in the second half to outclass the South American side. The sixth minute sending off proved too costly for Colombia who never looked the same after it. Even James Rodriguez couldn’t inspire the team.
Japan played with alacrity, and with a spring in their steps in the second half, they dominated passage of play, and if it were not for some spectacular saves from Ospina and some slacking in the final third, the Japanese may have ended with more than two goals on board. So far this World Cup seems to be going anywhere but according to script.