After a very nervous - and aggressive - start from the Senegalese, they get a penalty on their first real foray into the Colombian box after 15 minutes. Colombia had actually been playing the better football, but no doubt about the penalty. Can the Senegalese make it count? But the ref checks the video replay and inexplicably overrules a penalty he's already awarded. What a sham! Most of the times I've seen the refs go to the replay they've got it wrong - after getting it right the first time.
If Senegal fail to progress it will be the first time no African team has done so since 1982, I believe, and that absurdly overruled penalty appears to have left them looking more out of sorts than they were before. But they're getting a few shots in now; not good ones, but shots nonetheless. This is evenly poised so far, coming up to the half hour mark - as is the other encounter between Japan and Poland.
Japan keeper just saved one on the line against the general run of play, and goal-line technology shows the refs call was right that time, tho it was a matter of millimeters. Senegalese, meanwhile, are getting the lion's share of chances against Colombia, but they seem a bit clueless when it comes to actually putting the ball into the net.
HT both games goalless. If it stays like this they will toss a coin to decide which of Japan or Senegal goes through in first place
Pretty sure that's still the rule for two teams with absolutely identical records, though I don't know when it last came into play. Won't really matter either. Who would you rather face - England or Belgium? It's not going to stay like this, however. Too many chances in the first halves of both games.
Poland 1-0. So Senegal have a cushion. Not sure what would happen if Senegal lost 1-0 now. Who would follow Colombia through? Again, it might come down to a toss of the coin. Japan need to hope Senegal
don't lose now. But Senegal just took a really diabolical freekick! Still no score.
Colombia score in the 73rd minute from a corner. 1-0. Senegal made a sub as they were lining it up which I think was really stupid. They weren't remotely organized on defense. Right now Colombia are through and Japan and Senegal dead equal. But there's 20 mins to play. Senegal almost replied immediately but it's not their day.
So many chances for Senegal but they can't capitalize. Hugely frustrating game for them. They must've taken twice as many shots but very few of them have been good ones. Still 1-0 in the other game. Looks like we might have another sensational finish, as a goal in either game can change everything. I don't think the Senegalese are very happy with this ref either - and for good reason.
Injury time now: If there's to be a late goal I think Colombia will get it. They still look hungry, Senegal look nervous, and Poland don't look too interested in extending their lead over Japan. Maybe I'm missing something. Will Japan go through if it stays like this? They and Poland just seem to be messing around right now. Yes, there must be a rule I don't know about. Japan are just walking around the field at this point, like they know they're through. Meanwhile the Senegalese coach is hysterical on the sidelines, like he knows it's all over...
FT 1-0 - in both games.
Yes, the commentator is saying Senegal are out. Colombia top the group, that's for sure. Senegalese look devastated. There'll be some questions asked about the refereeing at this tournament, as Nigeria also had a crucial penalty disallowed after the ref looked at the video replay and overruled it (wrongly, according to the press - who dubbed it the
new Hand of God).
or it might be Nigeria. There's even a slight chance it will be Iceland...
)
