Nightmare start for Colombia: a red card and Japanese goal within six minutes

Colombia's opening game of the World Cup started in the worst possible way, after a defensive mistake from Davinson Sanchez led to Japan entering the Colombian box.

In a moment of desperation while goalkeeper David Osipina was struggling to get to the ball, Carlos Sanchez moved his arm towards a shot from the Japanese, blocking it on its path to goal and having to leave the pitch as a result, with the referee having absolutely no doubt that it was a red card-worthy event.

 

June 19, 2018

The Colombian players pleaded with the referee to use VAR to change his decision, but the red card stood and a dejected-looking Carlos Sanchez left the field.

The penalty was taken by a calm-looking Shinji Kagawa, who slotted home to the 'keepers left to take his team 1-0 to the good in the match. It could be a vital goal in deciding how this group turns out.