FIFA World Cup 6/19 Recap

by Sam Smith · June 19, 2018

There were three more group round matches on Tuesday. Here’s how they all went.

Japan 2, Colombia 1

Goals
- Japan: Kagawa (PK, 6′), Osako (73′)
- Colombia: Quintero (39′)
Cards
- Japan: Kawashima (Yellow, 90+4′)
- Colombia: Sánchez (Red, 3′), Barrios (Yellow, 64′), Rodríguez (Yellow, 86′)
Suspension: Carlos Sánchez of Colombia will be suspended for their next match against Poland due to his red card.

Japan got an early shift in momentum when a red card by Sánchez due to an intentional handball gave them a goal via penalty kick, as well as a one man advantage for the rest of the match, and they were able to take advantage of the opportunity, leading to a shocking result. Japan was able to maintain 58% of the possession, had more shots (14-8) and more shots on goal (6-3) and just generally outplayed the shorthanded Colombian squad. Japan was able to give themselves a surprise chance at seeing the bracket.

Senegal 2, Poland 1

Goals
- Senegal: Cionek (Own Goal, 37′), Niang (60′)
- Poland: Krychowiak (86′)
Cards
- Senegal: Sané (Yellow, 49′), Gueye (Yellow, 72′)
- Poland: Krychowiak (Yellow, 12′)

This match ended up having several controversial referee moments, including one that gave Senegal the eventual game winning goal. M’Baye Niang had exited the field briefly due to injury, and was well enough to reenter the field of play. The referee signaled to allow him back on, just in time for him to slip behind the Polish defenders, receive a long ball played back by Poland, and score on a wide open net. It will certainly be a goal constantly looked at throughout the tournament, but for now, Senegal gets a surprise victory, which seems to be the general theme of this group round so far.

Russia 3, Egypt 1

Goals
- Russia: Fathi (Own Goal, 47′), Cheryshev (59′), Dzyuba (62′)
- Egypt: Salah (PK, 73′)
Cards
- Russia: Smolov (Yellow, 84′)
- Egypt: Trézéguet (Yellow, 57′)

The first half of this game was pretty close. Both teams traded opportunities, and we went to the locker rooms tied 0-0 after 45′. Then, the Russians struck. They came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders, scoring three goals in the first 17 minutes of the second, and putting this one away. Egypt’s only goal came on a penalty kick from Mohamed Salah, back from injury and playing in his first game of this World Cup, after a Russian player held him in the box. Russia can clinch a spot in the bracket depending on the results of the Group A match tomorrow.

Updated Standings from These Groups

Group H