Japan kicked off their FIFA World Cup campaign with the perfect start with a 2-1 win over Colombia. The South American team had the ‘honour’ of getting the tournament’s first red card after only three minutes.
Carlos Sanchez’ handball resulted in a penalty in Japan’s favour. Shinji Kagawa wasted no time in giving Japan the lead. Juan Quintero levelled for the Colombians shortly afterwards. But then it was all over when Yuya Osako headed the winner after the break.
Osako created the game’s first chance, with an early cross that was claimed by goalkeeper David Ospina.
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The game livened up after three minutes when Osako got clear down the middle and Ospina saved his strike. However, it left him exposed to Kagawa’s follow-up, which was blocked Sanchez’s arm.
via Imago
Shinji Kagawa celebrates his goal
Sanchez had the unfortunate title of becoming the first player to be sent off at the 2018 World Cup. In the subsequent penalty Kagawa calmly gave Japan the lead from the spot.
As the 10 Colombians tried to fight back, Santiago Arias tried to find Radamel Falcao with his cross but failed. Later, Falcao’s touch to a Quintero free kick was straight at keeper Eiji Kawashima.
Then, Juan Cuadrado stepped away as Colombia made a tactical change. Another Falcao shot once again found Kawashima’s safe gloves. The South American team got their break, courtesy a 38th-minute equaliser.
But Japan turned up the wick in the second half. As the hour approached, Colombia brought on danger man James Rodriguez. Rodriguez was benched because of a calf problem.
Barrios was booked for a foul on Kagawa, and then Inui threatened again before his shot, after cutting inside, was blocked by a defender.
With 20 minutes to go, Kagawa was replaced by Keisuke Honda. Japan came dangerously close to restoring their lead on a few more occasions.They got a breakthrough from a corner as Osako headed home off the inside of the post.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the FIFA World Cup match.
Welcome to the World Cup, Carlos Sanchez! #COLvJPN pic.twitter.com/jFIGuPhb13
— Avi Creditor (@AviCreditor) June 19, 2018
How the hell do you get a red card 2 min into the game? 😂 #COLvJPN
— James (@2Jamezzz) June 19, 2018
This kind of handball is the bane of every U12G rec team. #COLJPN #COLvJPN pic.twitter.com/T93rqUUbSf
— MJ Lee (@SoccerMovieMom) June 19, 2018
Carlos Sanchez's red card was the second quickest ever at a World Cup at 2 mins 56 secs. Wow! #COLvJPN
— Michelle Escobar (@mmescobar_) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/PamelaM45/status/1009081144724283392
https://twitter.com/roehlteacher/status/1009045483606638593
What a gorgeous free kick. Everyone wants to go over the wall. Sometimes the best option is to stick it under. Goalie was NOT ready and was completed blind. #COLvJPN
— Gabriella Razzetti (@GabRazzetti) June 19, 2018
Can we please give Jorge Perez-Navarro and Mariano Trujillo more matches to commentate on? This is good stuff. #COLVJPN
— Brett Myhres (@BrettMyhres) June 19, 2018
What about the Japanese keeper trying to claim that didn't go over? 😮#COLvJPN
— Lawrence Champness (@champy) June 19, 2018
In the FIFA World Cup you cannot underestimate your opponents. #FIFAWorldCup #Russia2018 #COLvJPN #POLvsSEN
— Gambi™ (@g4m81) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/the1stof8/status/1009113334451458050
I think in this group more fancied teams were Columbia and Poland. Japan won against former and now Senegal will win over Poland. 2-0 it is. #POLSEN #COLvJPN
— Prahalad (@prahaladkobla) June 19, 2018
Day 5 of World Cup yesterday England getting first three points and now we're in day 6 Japan beating Colombia can Poland turn it around now 2-0 down to Senegal and then Russia taking on Mo Salahs Egypt #WorldCup #COLvJPN #POLSEG #RUSEGY.
— Dan James (@CommentatorDan) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/NeyPiqu/status/1009109816143474688
So I woke up to Colombia losing 2-1 to Japan. Did this really happen or is this a dream? #soccer #WorldCup2018 #COLvJPN
— Francisco A. Salazar (@FSalazarBoxing) June 19, 2018
Folks, if you haven't seen Japan get this creative by doubling up on a Colombian product, you haven't seen the same anime films that I have, OK? #COLvJPN
— Rush Roberts (@DrNorrisCamacho) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/AndrewStark89/status/1009098345674133509
I’m trying to get over it. #COLvJPN was heartbreaking. @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/8qfOzRi29r
— Luis Hernandez (@RadioLFH) June 19, 2018
Uh, the FS1 announcer keeps making Samurai references and just yelled “Banzai” after Kagawa scored a penalty kick. This seems…problematic. #COLvJPN
— Geoffrey Skelley (@geoffreyvs) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kaligula937/status/1009071765304283136
THE GOAL IS COMING YALL JUST WAIT ITS COMING !!! #COLvJPN OMG 😭😭🇨🇴🇨🇴
— natalyn🌸 (@nat110298) June 19, 2018
Well done Japan!!! first asian team to beat south americans in world cup match in 17 years….fantastic#COLvJPN
— Cherry ❤Sidheart #sidharth shukla #viran (@Cherrybots1) June 19, 2018
3 mins in and a red… im glad i didnt go back to sleep 👀👀 #COLvJPN
— Kristin Moreno (@kristinnomore) June 19, 2018
Delighted Sanchez is in my dream team and I’ve used my free transfers. His tournament is over.. #COLvJPN
— Steve Clay (@StevieClay) June 19, 2018
Well done Japan! If they can beat Colombia, we can beat Peru #COLvJPN
— paulmc (@paulmac_78) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/nataliesunchip/status/1009073478253805570
😯😯😯 Japan on the break and great save by GK on a shot and on rebound Sanchez handballs in the box!! Red card to Colombia and pk within 5 minutes!! #COLvJPN #WorldCup
— Drogon (@drogon_dracarys) June 19, 2018
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Thought the Colombian manager did a poor job with adjustments and substitutions. Though it was tough managing 87 minutes with 10 men #COLvJPN
— The Sports Troll (@thesportstrolll) June 19, 2018
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Thanx Japan for the sushi, playstations, hentai, and good football #COLvJPN
— akmal mazeni (@Akmal_Lonewolf) June 19, 2018
