Keisuke Honda ended his lengthy international goal drought for Japan to earn a 2-2 draw with Senegal and keep the race for progression at World Cup 2018 wide open in Group H.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane took advantage of an awful mistake from goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to deflect in an 11th-minute opener for the Lions of Teranga. New Real Betis winger Takashi Inui levelled things up in style on 34 minutes when he curled a shot into the bottom corner.
Japan dominated chances after the interval, but fell behind when 19-year-old full-back Moussa Wague lashed in on 71 minutes. Samurai Blue were then able to fight back for a second time when Pachuca forward Honda tapped in at the back post after a scramble, ending a drought that stretches back to September 2016.
The result at Ekaterinburg Arena left both teams on four points at the midway point in the fight to make the round of 16.
