Yerry Mina's header secured Colombia a 1-0 win over Senegal in Samara on Thursday to clinch their safe passage to the last 16 as they finished top of Group H, while Senegal missed out to Japan on a fair play tiebreaker.
Japan lost 1-0 to already-eliminated Poland in the group's other fixture. However, with both Japan and Senegal having the same number of points, goal difference and goals scored, it came down to disciplinary record to decide the runners-up. Japan progressed with two fewer yellow cards than the African side.
Yerry Mina heads #COL into Round of 16, as they leap to top of Group H.#SENCOL pic.twitter.com/y58w4H5AaI
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018
Following 74 minutes of tense football with few chances, Mina stooped to score the crucial goal from a corner and send the yellow-clad Colombian fans wild in the Samara Arena.
Group H came down to the finest of margins. #JPN go through ahead of #SEN, with the Lions of Teranga eliminated on Fair Play points. pic.twitter.com/YCDk0hSWmL
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018
Senegal, who had most of the better play in the first half, thought they had a penalty when Sadio Mane went down in the area on 17 minutes. However, after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR), Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez was deemed to have touched the ball and the decision was reversed.
Colombia will face the runner-up of Group G, which will be either England or Belgium.
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