Senegal’s loss to Colombia by the same scoreline meant Japan qualified ahead of the African side, winning the tiebreaker between the two sides on the slimmest of margins – going through thanks to having a better disciplinary record.
The two teams were level on goal difference and goals scored, and as the match between them on Sunday had ended in a 2-2 draw, the head-to-head tiebreaker wouldn’t separate them either, bringing FIFA’s fair play tiebreaker to the fore.
Japan had picked up four yellow cards during their three group games, while Senegal had picked up six – including two in injury time of that draw against Japan, which have now proved to be the difference.
Poland, meanwhile, bow out after a disappointing campaign, with Thursday’s win their only points at the tournament. Young centre-back Jan Bednarak’s goal from a Rafal Kurzawa’s free-kick gave them the win.
The game ended in a farce as both sides were content playing the ball amongst themselves at the back, with the result inconsequential for Poland and enough for Japan to qualify.
