Japan and Senegal scored a pair of major upsets at the World Cup on Tuesday, sending the two surprise winners to the top of Group H after the first round of games.
Both teams won by identical 2-1 scores, meaning they are currently tied for first place in the group ahead of Colombia and Poland.
Fatal Red Card for Colombia
The day started with Group H favorite Colombia quickly getting itself in trouble against Japan. Carlos Sanchez was sent off just three minutes into the match for a handball in the box. Shinji Kagawa would convert the penalty, giving Japan a 1-0 lead.
Colombia remained dangerous even when down to 10 men, however. The breakthrough game in the 39th minute, when Juan Quintero craftily placed a free kick into the bottom corner after the wall in front of him had jumped, surprising Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima and tying the score.
The second half saw Japan wear down the undermanned Colombian side. In the 73rd minute, Yuya Osako was able to leap up and connect with a corner to head in the winning goal, giving Japan a 2-1 victory.
“It was good we could deprive the front players of their stamina,” Japanese coach Akira Nishino told reporters after the match. “It’s the result that counts. Luck is important but it’s not going to do the job.”
Senegal Represents for Africa
Just hours later, Senegal earned a 2-1 victory over Poland, scoring the first win at the 2018 World Cup for an African team.
Senegal was competitive with Poland the entire match, but it was two errors from the Polish side that ultimately decided the result. In the 37th minute, Thiago Cionek was credited with an own goal after deflecting a wayward shot into the Polish net.
Senegal extended their lead to 2-0 after a controversial goal in the 60th minute. M’Baye Niang scored a goal just moments after being waved back onto the field by the referee after seeking treatment, seemingly catching the Polish defense by surprise. While everything about the play was entirely within the rules, it was an unusual time for a player to reenter the field, leading many to question how officials managed the situation.
Grzegorz Krychowiak pulled Poland back within one with a goal in the 86th minute, but it was too little, too late.
“I’m satisfied with my players, really proud of them,” said Senegal coach Aliou Cisse after the match. “I think it is really a generation that deserves a lot of credit and respect.”
The results have put Senegal and Japan in early control of Group H, and the winner of their match on Sunday will be in excellent position to make the knockout round. William Hill now gives Senegal a 1/3 chance of going through, with Japan (8/15) also favored, though neither Colombia (6/4) nor Poland (2/1) are being counted out yet.
Russia Racing toward Knockout Round
In Group A action, hosts Russia continued to impress, defeating Egypt by a score of 3-1. After a scoreless first half, the Russians scored three consecutive goals before a Mohammad Salah penalty in the 73rd minute drew Egypt slightly closer. But the Egyptians couldn’t find another goal to put any real pressure on Russia in the waning minutes of the match.
The win puts Russia at six points after two games. Unless Saudi Arabia defeats Uruguay tomorrow – which would constitute the largest upset of the tournament yet, as they are a 16/1 underdog to do so – Russia will be guaranteed to go through to the knockout round, while Egypt will be eliminated from contention before their final match.
