Colombia and Japan make fairplay history by entering the final Round 16 knockout stage

Moscow, June 29: The FIFA World Cup has reached its knockout stage with an interesting series of matches. Advancing in the last 16 round, Colombia and Japan made their stance clear yesterday. Their progress also completed the line-up the for the knockout stage.

Colombia beat Senegal by a solitary goal in a Group H fixture. The all-important goal came through a powerful header from Barcelona's Yerry Mina in the 74th minute. Colombia’s Yerry Mina came to Nishino’s rescue, though, as his goal defeated Senegal and ensured Japan progressed in second place due to their superior disciplinary record. Senegal’s six yellow cards to Japan’s four ultimately cost the African side, who exit Russia in disappointing circumstances.

Akira Nishino’s call to change his Japan team almost backfired as it progressed in FIFA World Cup 2018 on Fair Play despite a 0-1 defeat to Poland. The Samurai Blue had beaten Colombia and drawn with Senegal to enter their final Group H match, against already-eliminated Poland, requiring only a point to reach the last 16.

But Japan scarcely threatened in Volgograd as Shinji Kagawa and Takashi Inui started on the bench and they were instead dependent on results elsewhere after Jan Bednarek’s fine strike won the game for Poland.