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Colombia\u2019s Carlos Sanchez became the first player to be sent off at the 2018 World Cup as Japan secured an entertaining 2-1 win in Saransk.<\/p>\nColombia\u2019s Carlos Sanchez became the first player to be sent off at the 2018 World Cup as Japan secured an entertaining 2-1 win in Saransk.<\/p>\n
The former Aston Villa midfielder was dismissed after just four minutes in the Group H opener for deliberate handball and Shinji Kagawa made no mistake with the resulting penalty.<\/p>\n
Colombia equalized shortly before half-time through Juan Quintero\u2019s free-kick, but Japan dominated the second half and were good value for Yuya Osako\u2019s late winner.<\/p>\n
James Rodriguez \u2013 who finished the 2014 tournament as top scorer \u2013 was left out of Colombia\u2019s starting XI due to a muscle injury and the South American side quickly found themselves facing an uphill task.<\/p>\n
The first red card of the tournament was produced in the opening exchanges, with Sanchez given his marching orders for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.<\/p>\n
Osako broke clear and, although his initial effort was parried by David Ospina, Kagawa\u2019s follow-up effort was goal bound until Sanchez stuck out an arm.<\/p>\n
Referee Damir Skomina had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and immediately dismissed Sanchez, with Kagawa\u2019s Panenka penalty giving Japan the lead after six minutes.<\/p>\n
Takashi Inui missed a good chance to double Japan\u2019s advantage after 18 minutes when he curled an effort narrowly past the far post after good build-up work by Kagawa.<\/p>\n
Despite enjoying the lion\u2019s share of the possession \u2013 and much of it in Japan\u2019s half \u2013 Colombia struggled to carve out chances until Radamel Falcao volleyed straight at goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima after 34 minutes.<\/p>\n
Kawashima\u2019s error then gifted Colombia an equalizer, with Quintero\u2019s low free-kick creeping over the line at the near post after Falcao was brought down on the edge of the area.<\/p>\n
Japan began the second half strongly and eight minutes after the break Kagawa played in Osako, whose shot on the turn was beaten away by Ospina.<\/p>\n
Arsenal keeper Ospina again had to be alert to turn away Inui\u2019s 57th-minute effort and moments later Colombia boss Jose Pekerman introduced talisman Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
Hiroki Sakai should have restored Japan\u2019s lead when his low cross from the right was played back to him by Osako, only for the full-back to drill the ball at Oscar Murillo, with the deflection taking the effort wide.<\/p>\n
However, from the resulting corner Keisuke Honda\u2019s delivery was headed in by Osako.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez wasted Colombia\u2019s beat chance of an equalizer 10 minutes from time when his shot from 12 yards was deflected over the bar.<\/p>\n