Group H featured two low scoring matches for its last games. While one was moderately interesting, the other was certainly a sleeper.
First Halves
Senegal started the half in an impressive fashion. The African squad took control of the ball and dictated the pace of play since the very first minutes of the first half. More importantly, they rendered Colombia to a useless unit. Whenever Los Cafetaleros got a hold on the ball, defense was right on them with relentless pressure.
The Video Assisted Referee showed up early to the match as well. Sadio Mane was taken down inside the box at the 17th minute. It was originally called as a penalty kick, nonetheless, VAR overturned the call.
Colombia seemed to be stuck in neutral as the match moved along. They were so committed into playing wide that they missed valuable through the middle.
Colombia seemed tired by the end of the half as the Senegali speed caused struggles on their defense. Despite their chances, Senegal was unable to score, partially thanks to goalkeeper David Ospina.
Colombia and Senegal were tied nil-nil at halftime. Poland and Japan were also unable to score in the other Group H match.
Second Halves
The previous two matches really took a told on both Senegal and Colombia as the second half started off a very slow pace.
The game became a bit clumsy as the Senegal squad started burning time off the clock early into the half.
The Opener At Volgograd
The story was much more different at the Volgograd Arena. Japan was quick and on the look for a goal to secure their spot in the round of 16. Nonetheless, the Polish did that first.
Jan Bednarek gave Poland the lead off a volley, just before the hour mark struck at Volgograd.
Bednarek's goal for #POL #WorldCup #TheAOSNWC pic.twitter.com/6WqyI6HnsM
— The AOSN FC (@TheAOSNFC) June 28, 2018
The goal was not that meaningful for Poland, as they were now out of the tournament. Nonetheless, it gave Senegal some hope of moving on.
Colombia Breaks Through
Colombia started generating offense as the 60th minute of play went by. They simplified things, made better passes and stopped forcing the play wide. This paid off as the African defense gave away a corner kick, things then changed for Colombia.
Yerry Mina scored with a powerful header at the 71st minute of play. Putting Colombia up by one.
Mina heads home the winning goal for #COL #WorldCup #TheAOSNWC pic.twitter.com/1buZuwwkS5
— The AOSN FC (@TheAOSNFC) June 28, 2018
Senegal seemed to believe they were still qualified as they handled the better part of the remaining twenty minutes with a surprising calm. It was not only until the 85th minute that they started generating some desperation offense. It was too little too little for them.
Time ran out, thus ending the game and Senegal’s hope of advancing to the next round.
Colombia ended up winning Group H and followed by Japan, who also moved forward. Senegal and Poland were the bottom two and missed out on the knockout rounds.
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