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Yerry Mina scored his second goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia to see Colombia defeat Senegal 1-0 at Samara Arena and finish as Group H winners.
In the group’s other match, Poland edged Japan 1-0 meaning Senegal and the Blue Samurai finished level on four points, however the latter became the first team in history to advance to the World Cup knockout stage on the fair play rule.
The game was played evenly throughout, with few significant goal-scoring chances of note.
The decisive moment came when Los Cafeteros’ towering centre-back Mina leapt above his markers to head in the winning goal in the second half.
It’s in the crucial moments that big teams need to show up. Senegal undoubtedly have great individual players with skill, but the attack was not at it tonight, and failed to seize their opportunities.
The Senegal team of 2018 will not repeat what the team of 2002 achieved by qualifying for the knockout round.
Los Cafeteros found a compact team that did not give any space to Colombia to play their game.
A set piece was the key to penetrating a solid defence like Senegal’s. David Ospina was important and helped keep a clean sheet and secure the victory.
This is the third time Colombia have qualified for the Round of 16.
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Second-half surge sees Tunisia bow out in style, earn their first World Cup win in 40 years
Tunisia will fly home with their first win at the FIFA World Cup in 40 years after beating Panama 2-1 at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk.
Fakhreddine Ben Youssef made World Cup history during the finale of Russia 2018’s Group G action as his second-half equaliser marked the 2,500th goal in tournament history.
The Carthage Eagles controlled the tempo of the game in the first half and created a few early chances, but Panama took the lead against the run of play from an own goal.
Jose Luis Rodriguez’s strike from distance took a deflection off of Tunisia defender Yassine Meriah, which sent goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi the wrong way.
Tunisia came out firing in the second half, though, and it was not long before Ben Youssef’s milestone strike levelled the score.
Eleven minutes later, Tunisia No10 Wahbi Khazri put the North African side in front, slotting past Jaime Penedo from close range.
The win marked Tunisia’s first victory at the World Cup since Argentina 1978, while Los Canaleros are forced to head home without a point to pack up from their maiden appearance at the competition.
Already eliminated from Russia 2018 prior to the start of today’s fixtures, Tunisia’s win secured third place in Group G as the Central Americans finished bottom.
