Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1

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Europe

01:06

Japan beat Colombia, who was reduced to 10 men, in Group H of Russia 2018 World Cup on Tuesday, becoming the first ever Asian team to defeat a South American opponent in the World Cup.

Shortly after the kickoff, Colombian defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off for hindering Shinji Kagawa's shot with his arm, which reduced his team to 10 men.

The red card was the first one in this year's World Cup.

Colombia's James Rodriguez struggles for a ball during the World Cup Group H match between Colombia and Japan at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia, June 19, 2018. /VCG Photo

In the 6th minute, Japanese attacking midfielder Kagawa scored the first goal of the game. The Borussia Dortmund player sent the Colombian goalkeeper the wrong way and shot his penalty kick calmly down the middle.

Given the outnumbered rival, in the 39th minute, Colombian attacking midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero tied up the game 1-1 with a free-kick. Thanks to the goal-line technology, even though the Japanese goalkeeper caught the ball just as it crossed the line, it was proven to have crossed the line.

In the 73rd minute, Japanese striker Yuya Osako scored the header with assistance from his teammate Keisuke Honda, taking the 2-1 lead and holding it till the end of the game.