Colombia, Yerry Mina saved the day again, as the Cafeteros beat Senegal with his lone goal to advance to the Round of 16 from the first spot of Group G. Technically, Mina would be a defender, but so far he has been the top scorer for this side at World Cup 2018, and the hero of their qualification among the sweet sixteen.
After the first goal scored to Poland, along came his powerful header that made the difference with Senegal, in a nervous and tense match that got more exciting only in the final stages. Coach Jose’ Pekerman’s side had a rough start, also due to an injury occurred to James Rodriguez. Luis Muriel replaced the unfortunate Bayern Munich’s playmaker.
Senegal played with order, but failed to made themselves dangerous, and ultimaltely ended up regretting it. In the second half, the good news of Poland’s goal to Japan spread – making both sides happy, as with Japan’s loss, the Cafeteros and the African lions could afford to draw and still advance to the knock-out phase arm in arm. However, Colombia are not a team to settle for a tie.
Juan Cuadrado gained a corner kick from the right side, and midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero placed the ball right on Mina’s head from the corner spot. Colombia’s defender-turned-goleador pushed the ball past Senegal’s hesitant goalkeeper Khadim N’Diaye, and brought his side ahead. Colombia put one foot and a half in the Round of 16, while Senegal were now behind Japan due to the higher number of yellow cards received.
Yes, yellow cards. Because Japan and Senegal had exactly the same score when it came to any criteria – points, goal difference, goals scored – making it necessary to resort to the FIFA fair play coefficient to break the tie. The Senegalese started to push harder, looking for an equaliser. M’Baye Niang had a good chance, but Colombia’s David Ospina raised the wall. The South Americans kept defending and eventually confirmed their full score, which sent them to play next Tuesday in Moscow against England.
Senegal bid farewell to the World Cup due to a couple of extra yellow cards, an atrocious disappointment for coach Aliou Cisse’s boys, whose qualification seemed at hand.
Colombia winning Group G is a remarkable accomplishment, considering how the Cafeteros had started their tournament. However, the conditions of the injured James Rodriguez – an important piece in coach Pekerman’s checkboard – are a reason of concern for the South American fans. Colombia could be a time bomb in the knock-out stage, but from now on no more mistakes will be allowed.
Japan, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief despite their 0-1 loss, and had to thank Colombia for the opportunity to play Belgium next Monday in Rostov. Poland were a huge disappointment. Winning the last game could do little to alleviate the pain of a generation of players who will likely not get another shot at the Word Cup in 2022 in Qatar.
MATCH REPORT
June 28, 2018 – World Cup Group Stage Pool G
SENEGAL-COLOMBIA 0-1
SCORER: 74′ Mina
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SENEGAL (4-4-2): K. N’Diaye; Gassama, Sané, Koulibaly, Sabaly (74′ Wague); Sarr, Kouyate, Gana Gueye, Mané; Keita Baldé (80′ Konate), Niang (86′ Sakho) (Gomis, Diallo, Sow, Ndiaye, A. N’Diaye, Mbodji, Mbengue, Diouf, Ndoye) Coach: Cissé |
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COLOMBIA (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Arias, D. Sanchez, Mina, Mojica; Uribe (83′ Lerma), C. Sanchez; Ju. Cuadrado, Quintero, James Rodriguez (31′ Muriel); Falcao (89′ Borja) (Barrios, Izquierdo, Jose Cuadrado, Bacca, Zapata, Diaz, Murillo, Vargas) Coach: Pekerman
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REFEREE: Mazic (Serbia)
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Niang (S), Mojica (C)