The most open group in the tournament ended in the most bizarre way. Second-place was determined for the first time by fair play points.
Group H can be best described as bizarre. It started with two upsets as Japan and Senegal beat Colombia and Poland respectively. It continued with a thrilling 2-2 draw between Japan and Senegal and then Colombia thrashing Poland, sending the Euro quarterfinalists home early.
The last games ended with two 1-0 wins as Colombia beat Senegal on Yerry Mina’s second header of the World Cup while Poland left with some pride as Southampton defender Jan Bednarek scored the winner off a corner. Colombia won the group while Japan and Senegal were tied on everything. Japan advance because of fair play points as they had two less yellow cards than Senegal did.
This is the first-time a team has to advance because of fair play and the first time since 1982 an African team isn’t going to the second round at the World Cup.
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
Best Game: Japan 2-2 Senegal
This game was open and both teams were attacking with an edge to their step. The three yellow cards Senegal got in this game ended up costing them a spot in the Round of 16. Keisuke Honda’s goal saved Japan and helped them get a point against the Lions of Tarenga.
https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1010926155648651268
Best Moment: Falcao’s first World Cup goal
Radamel Falcao had to miss the 2014 World Cup in Brazil due to injury. He was considered one of the best strikers on the planet then and he has had a winding road of ups and downs for the last four years. It was nice to see him score in the World Cup and send the thousands of Colombian fans into tears of joy.
RADAMEL FALCAO!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2018
4 years after missing the FIFA World Cup due to injury, El Tigre gets his first FIFA World Cup goal. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/O7Uyfcros1
Best Player: Juan Quintero
With James Rodriguez only playing one and a half halves of football, Colombia needed a midfielder to step up and Juan Quintero did just that. He controlled the midfield all three games and found so much space to create and score. The winners of Group H will look to him to get them back to the quarterfinals.
3 - Juan Quintero has either scored or assisted for Colombia in each game of the 2018 World Cup (2 assists, 1 goal). Impact.#WorldCup #COL #SENCOL pic.twitter.com/0UmwazzKkF
— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) June 28, 2018