SARANSK, June 19: 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.
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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.
Summary
- Colombia's Carlos Sanchez sent off for handball
- Ex-Man Utd attacker Kagawa converts penalty for Japan
- Quintero equalises for Colombia with clever free-kick
- Osako heads in to win it for Japan
