Japan’s Yuya Osako (second right) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H against Colombia at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk. — AFP photo
SARANSK, Russia: Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1 in their opening Group H match on Tuesday, the first time an Asian team has overcome a South American one at the World Cup.
Colombia midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off in the third minute for deliberate handball – the second fastest red card in World Cup history.
Shinji Kagawa scored the resulting penalty to put Japan 1-0 up in the sixth minute, but Juan Quintero equalised with a low free kick which squeezed over the line shortly before halftime.
After the break, Japan pressed a tired Colombia side and Yuya Osako grabbed the winner with a glancing header in the 73rd minute.
Colombia attacking midfielder James Rodriguez, who was left out of the starting line-up due to muscle pain, replaced Quintero in the 59th minute but failed to change the course of the match. — Reuters