FIFA World Cup 2018, Colombia vs Japan: Osako Hands Japan Historic Win Over Colombia

Full time: Japan beat Colombia 2-1 in their opening Group H encounter. 

Colombia roaring forward with Mojica down the left, leaving even the ref on the ground. But that move is also snubbed by the Japanese who are now moments away from history. 

Colombia with all their attackers looking to keep the game alive with five more minutes still to go. With the quality available you would not bet against Colombia at this point in time. 

Colombia's frustration's are clearly visible as Haraguchi is brought down by James who takes a yellow card for the effort. 

Colombia are now chasing it all and putting in the hard yards as they look to get the equaliser with five minutes to go. All this, while Japan run down the clock and keep possession and hope to close out a historic win.

STAT ATTACK: Japan's Keisuke Honda is the first player from an Asian nation to provide an assist in three different World Cup tournaments since 1966.

10 minutes left and Japan are closing in on Asia's first win over a South American side in 18 matches. It has been all one way traffic so far, just like the second half which has seen Japan dominate the show. 

Brilliant back-heel by Lerma to tee up James Rodriguez, who sees his left footed shot deflected out. Colombia suddenly asking the questions of the Japanese defense now. 

Japan have had more than 70 percent of the possession in the second half, and even the combination of Rodriguez, Falcao and Bacca are unable to do much in attack on the hot day in Saransk. 

GOAL: Honda swings the corner in to the far post and Osako with the perfect header makes it 2-1 for Japan! Colombia in deep trouble. 

It has been all Japan in the second half with the Colombian's not having even one shot or attempt towards goal since their equalising goal. This has been some turnaround by Japan. With 20 minutes to go and the numerical advantage they must surely push for a winner. 

A mix-up in the Colombian defense between keeper and defender, thankfully for Pekerman's side Nagatomo could not make much of it the ball was cleared. 

Not much has changed after 25 minutes in the second half as Japan continue to knock on the Colombian defenses doors as they look for a second goal. Inui from the left has been looking to shoot when he can. 

Japan's wings have the Colombian defense scrambling now with 15 minutes gone in the first half. There was yet another chance as Haraguchi decided to shoot instead of passing, which would have meant trouble for Colombia. 

Big change for Colombia as Quintero has gone off and James Rodriguez has come on for them. The crowd is understandably happy and are voicing their pleasure on the decision to bring on the Bayern Munich man.

Yet another good effort from Japan in the early part of the second half. This time from the left wing where Inui is in a lot of space and tries to curl it past Ospina. But the former Arsenal man has the far post covered. Japan are giving Colombia quite a lot of work to do and are making them run. The numerical advantage is clear. 

Japan's continued possession pays of somewhat as Osako turns Davinson Sanchez and shoots low and hard. But Ospina is alert and saves the day for Colombia. Japan have dominated the first ten minutes and the likes of Falcao and Quintero have been kept silent. 

Japan continue to dominate the ball in the early exchanges, and are blocking off any Colombian advances which is resulting in Falcao cutting a frustrating figure. Meanwhile the word is that James Rodriguez is warming up on the sidelines. 

Yoshida had a chance to turn and shoot of the corner against Colombia, but he was closed down and Japan rebuild from the back. 

In the early minutes of the second, the Japanese are looking to get their wingers Inui and Haraguchi more into the game. They have come out and began the half quite strongly. 

Second half kicks off with Colombia in possession and hoping to add to their goals tally, while Japan will need to rethink their strategy of sit back and contain whenever they get the lead. 

Former Colombian goal-keeper Carlos Alberto Valderrama is in the house to cheer on his country. 

While Juan Quintero is the first Colombian player to net goals in different editions of the World Cup, Carlos Sanchez's 4th minute red card is the second fastest in the history of the tournament after Jose Batista's first minute red card for Uruguay in 1986.

At the end of the first half, Colombia and Japan are 1-1. Shinji Kagawa and Juan Quintero with the goals. Colombia have lost Carlos Sanchez to a red card but have responded very well in the first half as Japan decided to sit back and contain. 

Quintero's free-kick was also the fourth one converted directly this time in 15 games at the 2018 World Cup, that is one more than the total number of free-kicks converted in 2014 in Brazil - that was 3.

GOLAZO QUINTERO. WHAT A FREE-KICK! pic.twitter.com/hJ2PNiRgE4

— World Cup 2018 (@WCGoalz) June 19, 2018

Japan will need to regroup now fast as the first half draws to a close slowly. Colombia definitely ending the half the stronger side and will look to get a second goal too. 

The Japanese players argued against the goal, but it was goal-line technology that confirmed that the ball had gone over the line completely. 

Five minutes to go in the first half and Colombia who responded well after the torrid first five minutes have now equalised and Japan have to do it all again. This was coming as Colombia were fighting back with great enterprise and looked threatening. 

GOAL: That is one peach of a free-kick by Quintero, who hit the free-kick under the wall and Kawashima was slow to react!