World Cup: Senegal v Colombia
Group H is up for decision as Senegal, Colombia and japan all battle it out for a place in last 16

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14:39
Hello and welcome to the Irish Times World Cup soccer blog. We’re going to focus on the clash between Senegal and Colombia while keeping a weather eye on how Japan fares against Poland. It is second versus third and first versus fourth in the table with only the Poles out of contention to make the Last 16.
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14:40
If there was a #WorldCup βHair of Fameβ, Colombiaβs 1990 team would have its own wing.
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) June 28, 2018
See more unforgettable
ππ hair: https://t.co/SwQ6tin4G2#SENCOL #COL pic.twitter.com/jAcZSQjcNh -
14:41
THE TEAMS
Senegal: Khadim N’Diaye, Gassama, Sane, Koulibaly, Sabaly, Sarr, Kouyate, Gueye, Mane, Balde, Niang. Subs: Diallo, Mbengue, Mbodji, Sow, Diouf, N’Doye, Alfred N’Diaye, Konate, Sakho, Ndiaye, Wague, Gomis.
Colombia: Ospina, Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Mina, Mojica, Uribe, Carlos Sanchez, Cuadrado, Quintero, Rodriguez, Falcao. Subs: Vargas, Zapata, Murillo, Barrios, Bacca, Muriel, Lerma, Diaz, Borja, Izquierdo, Cuadrado.
Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia).
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14:42
TEAM NEWS
Jose Pekerman has stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation he has used in the last two games. There are two personnel changes in midfield though: Carlos Sanchez, a key player, is back in the starting XI after returning from suspension.
Mateus Uribe also replaces the injured Abel Aguilar, and he is starting alongside Sanchez, with both in holding roles though don’t be surprised if you see Uribe near the box. The exciting trio of Cuadrado-Quintero-Rodriguez is back. -
14:44
THE VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse: "A player like Sadio Mane is a player with a lot of expectations and he is one of the players under the spotlight. He can do better, but [against Japan] he was better than against Poland and he needs to do better against Colombia."
Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman: "There are so many situations that can make or break a football team. This is a World Cup. We have to simply forget any quick judgements or prejudices that we might have. When I [choose] the starting line-up, I do it taking account of the whole context in which we find ourselves." -
14:49
#SEN reporting for duty. pic.twitter.com/hg0e2EcHlT
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2018 -
14:50
Their only previous meeting between Senegal and Colombia was a friendly in Buenos Aires prior to the last World Cup in May 2014.
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14:52
#worldcup fancy dress? Completed it mate.#SENCOL pic.twitter.com/L5z4eOcUcX
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2018 -
14:52
STAT ATTACK
Senegal have faced South American opponents just once before in the World Cup, drawing 3-3 in their final group game in 2002 against Uruguay (a game in which they led 3-0).
The Senegalese kept a clean sheet in their first ever World Cup match, against France in 2002, but have not recorded a shut-out in any of their subsequent six games.
They have conceded three goals from just seven shots on target faced at this World Cup. -
14:54
Colombian factfile
Los Cafeteros' first World Cup match against African opposition was a 2-1 loss to Cameroon in extra time in 1990. Since then, they've beaten Tunisia (in 1998) and Ivory Coast (in 2014).
Colombia have scored four goals from seven shots on target at the 2018 World Cup, including three from four against Poland. -
14:55
Group H table:
Pos
Team
P
GD
Pts
1
Japan
2
1
4
2
Senegal
2
1
4
3
Colombia
2
2
3
4
Poland
2
-4
0
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15:00Senegal need a point, Colombia need to win.
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15:01Game on.
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15:03
1 min: Niang scoops the ball over the bar. It was more a case of throwing a leg at it than any calculated shot on goal.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:05
4 mins: Moussa Wague, 19, became the first African teenager to score a World Cup goal in the 2-2 draw with Japan. He starts on the bench this afternoon.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:086 mins: Davinson Sanchez with the type of pass that would get a bollicking in a Tuesday night 5-a-side.
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15:11
9 mins: The quality of Senegal's 'crossing' has been rather wayward, long aimless and easily collected by Colombian goalkeeper Ospina. More hopeful hoofs.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:14
11 mins: Falcao was the filling in a Koulibaly and Sabaly sandwich. After falling to the turf clutching his head he demonstrates remarkable recuperative powers. Quintero with the free-kick from the right hand edge of the box that Khadim N’Diaye bats to safety.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:16
14 mins: There are some 'tasty' tackles being exchanged.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:17PENALTY: Senegal
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15:20
16 mins: No penalty. Davinson Sanchez with the tackle on Mane. Referee Milorad Mazic points to the spot. Goes to VAR. Has a quick on the screen. Realises that he's made a mistake. Hop-ball on the edge of the box. The final decision was the correct one.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:22
20 mins: The movement in the build-up to the non penalty was excellent. There is a fluency and athleticism to the way Senegal are moving in attack.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:24
22 mins: Senegal have Colombia pinned inside their own half. It's consistent, concerted pressure.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:26
Davinson Sanchez timed that tackle perfectly β±π #COL pic.twitter.com/RoTZBNjmT5
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2018 -
15:26
24 mins: Falcao misses a rather easy header from a beautifully flighted free-kick and will be relieved to see the linesman flag for offside.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:29
26 mins: Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez with another outstanding tackle, this time on Sane. It's another vital intervention. Colombia are under serious pressure.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:33
30 mins: Big blow in theory for Colombia, James Rodríguez, the Golden Boot from the 2014 World Cup has limped off. In practice, he's been anonymous so he may have carried an injury into the game. Muriel is his replacement.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:3433 mins: Colombia 0 Senegal 0; Japan 0 Poland 0
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15:36
35 mins: Falcao rocked by another tackle. Those of you who are music fans might get the reference.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:36
Pen or no pen?#SENCOL #worldcup #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/F6DPFYvgpI
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2018 -
15:38
36 mins: Mane fouled by Carlos Sanchez. Free-kick to Senegal about 30 yards out from the Colombian goal; dead centre. Sane into Row H.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:4039 mins: Quintero comes to the sideline to have a chat with his manager Peckerman.
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15:42
40 mins: Sané with a right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:44
#SEN and #COL fans go all out. #WorldCup
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) June 28, 2018
More #SENCOL π https://t.co/kYtI3ihXdg pic.twitter.com/ff9Mtmuvff -
15:46
44 mins: Colombia mount an attack but Muriel's cross into the box but it is easily cut out. Senegal break quickly and Mojica is booked for bringing Sarr down.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
15:49Half-time: Colombia 0 Senegal 0; Japan 0 Poland 0
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15:51Senegal were comfortably the better side, created more opportunities but failed to take any. Senegal and Colombia have never been involved in a goalless draw at a World Cup. They are unfortunately 45-minutes away from breaking that record. The VAR decision on the penalty initially awarded to Senegal but overruled was a correct decision.
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16:04Colombia kick off the second half.
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16:10
49 mins: If the scores remain the same Senegal would require three Japanese players to be booked, without picking up any more yellow cards themseves in this game to top the group.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
16:1251 mins: Right on cue Senegal's M'Baye Niang is booked.
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16:15
56 mins: Senegal are physically stronger in the 50-50 collisions/tackles. It's end to end stuff as the game opens up.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
16:17
58 mins: Arias tackle brings up the 20th free-kick of the match.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
16:18GOAL: Poland
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16:1960 mins: Southampton defender Bednarek puts Poland 1-0 against Japan. That would send Senegal and Colombia through to the last 16 if the scorelines stayed the same.
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16:22
62 mins: Mane races forward and is fouled by Carlos Sanchez. Free-kick 25 yards from goal and central for Senegal. Mane slips as he takes it and it sails over the crossbar.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
16:22
AS IT STANDS:
— FIFA World Cup π (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018
1) #SEN
2) #COL
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3) #JPN
4) #POL#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/We5HjEjcin -
16:24
64 mins: Neither side seems to understand that concept that you can't come through the back of a player. Muriel with a shot that's deflected wide.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
16:27
67 mins: Senegal keeper Khadim N’Diaye with a thumping tackle on Muriel inside the box. No foul but a hefty collision.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
16:27
58th minute 59th minute
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2018
Japan 1st Japan 3rd#WorldCup #JPN pic.twitter.com/0apqppILbv -
16:2969 mins: The defending could be despite as rugged; both teams.
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16:32
71 mins: Sabaly is being helped off. Very groggy.
Colombia 0 Senegal 0 -
16:33GOAL: Colombia
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16:34
74 mins: Mina with a superb header from a corner kick. There was a check with the VAR system for a potential foul but there was nothing untoward.
Colombia 1 Senegal 0 -
16:3776 mins: Niang rolls his man in the box but his powerful strike is parried away by Ospina. The Colombian keeper is brave from the resultant corner, making a second save.
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16:3879 mins: Centre-back Yerry Mina has scored five goals in 14 matches for Colombia and none more important.
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16:38
Celebration game on point ππ¨π΄#SENCOL 0-1 pic.twitter.com/Ttfr66aym3
— FIFA World Cup π (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018 -
16:3980 mins: Colombia's goal would put them through along with Japan who are still losing 1-0 to Poland if the scorelines remain the same.
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16:40
81 mins: Arias does brilliantly to block Mane's shot. It's all Senegal and they've had two excellent chances in the last 90-seconds.
Colombia 1 Senegal 0 -
16:40
AS IT STANDS:
— FIFA World Cup π (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018
1) #COL
2) #JPN
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3) #SEN
4) #POL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/HVvwwkwMsC -
16:40The reason that Japan would go through is because they have conceded fewer yellow cards.
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16:42Senegal. Moussa Konaté replaces Keita. Colombia. Lerma on for Uribe.
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16:43
A head to go ahead! Colombia leads 1-0: https://t.co/j3k5QPst12#COL #SEN #SENCOL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/vtlAyv1xsx
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) June 28, 2018 -
16:44If Senegal go out there will be no African representation in the Last 16 for the first time in 36-years.
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16:4686 mins: Senegal. Sakho on for Niang.
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16:47
87 mins: Senegal have six yellow cards compared to Japan's four.
Colombia 1 Senegal 0 -
16:47
Japan swerving making challenges right now:#JPN #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ySszIFV2jZ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2018 -
16:49
90 mins: Colombian fullback Arias acrobatic brilliance cuts out a dangerous ball. He's been outstanding.
Colombia 1 Senegal 0 -
16:51
Four minutes of stoppage time, two of which remain.
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16:52Fulltime: Poland 1 Japan 0
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16:53Fulltime: Colombia 1 Senegal 0
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16:54Colombia go through as Group H winners, Japan progress as runners-up.
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16:55Senegal become the first team in World Cup history to go out on the Fifa fair play system. They racked up six yellow cards compared to Japan's four.
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16:56
Akira Noshino, Japan's coach, has got out of jail quite spectacularly here. Makes six changes inexplicably and watches his team crawl through on the fair play rule
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) June 28, 2018 -
16:57There will be no African team is the Last 16 in a World Cup for the first time in 36-years. Really tough on Senegal. They were the better team for large tranches of that match but just didn't take their chances.
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16:59England play Belgium tonight. Whoever tops the group would face Japan in the Last 16 and either Brazil of Mexico in a quarter-final. Whoever finishes runner up would play Colombia in the Last 16 and then the winner of the game between Sweden and Switzerland in a quarter-final.
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16:59
Second half of #JPNPOL...
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2018
Shots on target by Japan: 0#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/rH7ZIyS162 -
17:00
HOW THE FAIR PLAY POINTS ARE DECIDED
1 point for a yellow card
3 points for two yellow cards
4 points for a straight red card
5 points for a yellow card, then a straight red card -
17:02
1 - Colombia have become the only side to reach the knockout stages of the 2018 #WorldCup despite losing their opening match of the tournament. Turnaround. #COL #SENCOL pic.twitter.com/c2iyWVTqyy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 28, 2018 -
17:03Thanks for your comments and company. Patrick 'Three Lions' Madden will be here tonight to provide chapter and verse on England's clash with Belgium (7.0).