Colombia will get the chance to emulate their heroics of four years ago after they secured passage to the 2018 World Cup’s last 16 with a stirring 1-0 victory over Senegal.
In a match that failed to deliver on the hype it promised, James Rodriguez’s exit due to injury in the first half further blunted proceedings, and threatened to deflate Los Cafeteros.
But Barcelona defender Yerry Mina rose to head the South Americans into the lead in Samara 16 minutes from time and Jose Pekerman’s men march on.
Even crueler for the Lions of Teranga was that they became the first side to exit the World Cup via fair play – their six yellow cards compared to Japan’s four saw the Blue Samurai qualify in second.
