Well, Colombia recovered from their poor start, that loss to Japan, by winning their final two games and taking group. Despite having lost their last two games, Japan now moves on despite having the same amount of points as Senegal, because they did not get as many fouls. And so they move on.
In Group G, the two teams that were advancing were already established before yesterday's games, and they were playing each other, anyway, to see which team came out on top of the group. Belgium defeated England in a low scoring affair, 1-0. Both teams move on now to the elimination round.
Here's a closer look at all the games from yesterday, on the last day of group play (already!) for this World Cup in Russia:
Colombia 1, Senegal 0 - Everything was on the line for both teams in this meeting. It was not exactly a situation as clear cut as win and you're in, lose and go home, but it was very close to being that and, in the end, that was what it came down to, anyway.
There were scenarios where the loser of this game might have advanced, although the chances were going to be slim. But the winner of the game definitely was assured of advancing. And so, Colombia wins the group by virtue of winning this game, while Senegal goes home following what amounts to a missed opportunity with this game.
The game remained scoreless throughout the first half. But then, Colombia's Yerry Mina broke through with a goal in the 74th minute in their first shot of the second half, and their only shot on goal in the second half that was on target.
Nonetheless, it was good enough to secure the win, and as a result, Colombia advances.
Only the third time that Colombia has advanced to the elimination rounds. They managed that feat back in 1990, as well as in the last World Cup in Brazil four years ago.
Senegal shut France out in 2002 in their first ever World Cup game, but they have allowed goals in every World Cup game that they have participated in since.
Poland 1, Japan 0 - Finally, Poland showed a little something in this World Cup.
Unfortunately for them, it was far too little and much, much too late. Since you only get three games on the group stage, you have to show something much sooner than the third and final game.
Still, at least Poland played much tougher in this game, and showed a little more of why they entered as the eighth ranked team in the world, and the favorites to win this group.
Jan Bednarek scored in the 59th minute for Poland, breaking a scoreless tie to give his side the 1-0 lead. One aspect of positive continuity for this Polish team with other Polish teams is that they maintained the perfect record of 14 wins and no losses in World Cup contests after scoring the first goal. Poland has never lost in this tournament yet after scoring the first goal.
Japan was unable to answer in this contest, and that 1-0 Polish lead wound up being the final score in favor of Poland. Japan has not had much success against European sides in the World Cup recently, having failed to generate a goal in five of their last six matches against European squads.
Poland has not had good luck against Japan prior to this game. They lost 5-0 to Japan in 1996, and 2-0 to Japan in 2002.
Still, despite the loss, Japan was able to get the good news that they would advance, since Senegal lost when they absolutely could not afford to lose, and Japan won the tiebreaker advantage.
Belgium 1, England 0 - Belgium is one of the hottest and most explosive teams in this World Cup tournament. They finish with a perfect, unblemished record, having neither lost nor tied a single game thus far. Presently, they are riding a seven-game winning streak in group stage games, after having won only eight of their prior 24 meetings at that level. Belgium was perfect in winning all of their group stage games in their last two World Cups, joining both Argentina and the Netherlands, who did that in both 2010 and 2014.
Adnan Januzaj scored in the 51st minute to give Belgium the 1-0 lead.
And that was it. That was how the score stayed, until time expired with Belgium earning a 1-0 win.
For England, this was the first time in their 15 appearances in this tournament that they failed to get at least one shutout in the group level.
Tunisia 2, Panama 1 - Panama has had a horrific first ever World Cup tournament. They held their own through the first half against Belgium, but then got pummeled in the second half. They had an atrocious first half against England, and then played a bit better for the second half. But overall, they had been outscored 9-1 entering this game.
At least in this game, they were not humiliated.
Yassine Meriah scored an own goal to give Panama their first ever lead in a World Cup game. Panama still held that 1-0 lead at halftime.
But Tunisia started to take over in the second half. Fakhereedine Ben Youssef scored in the 51st minute to tie the game up.
Then, Wahbi Khazri scored in the 66th minute to put Tunisia up, 2-1. Tunisia held Panama off the rest of the way to preserve the win.
For Tunisia, this snaps a 13-game winless streak at the World Cup. This was Tunisia's second ever win at a World Cup. So they go out, but do so in a positive manner. Strangely, they won both of those two games after trailing, 1-0. They did so against Mexico in 1978, and they did it again this time against Panama.
In Group G, the two teams that were advancing were already established before yesterday's games, and they were playing each other, anyway, to see which team came out on top of the group. Belgium defeated England in a low scoring affair, 1-0. Both teams move on now to the elimination round.
Here's a closer look at all the games from yesterday, on the last day of group play (already!) for this World Cup in Russia:
Colombia 1, Senegal 0 - Everything was on the line for both teams in this meeting. It was not exactly a situation as clear cut as win and you're in, lose and go home, but it was very close to being that and, in the end, that was what it came down to, anyway.
There were scenarios where the loser of this game might have advanced, although the chances were going to be slim. But the winner of the game definitely was assured of advancing. And so, Colombia wins the group by virtue of winning this game, while Senegal goes home following what amounts to a missed opportunity with this game.
The game remained scoreless throughout the first half. But then, Colombia's Yerry Mina broke through with a goal in the 74th minute in their first shot of the second half, and their only shot on goal in the second half that was on target.
Nonetheless, it was good enough to secure the win, and as a result, Colombia advances.
Only the third time that Colombia has advanced to the elimination rounds. They managed that feat back in 1990, as well as in the last World Cup in Brazil four years ago.
Senegal shut France out in 2002 in their first ever World Cup game, but they have allowed goals in every World Cup game that they have participated in since.
Poland 1, Japan 0 - Finally, Poland showed a little something in this World Cup.
Unfortunately for them, it was far too little and much, much too late. Since you only get three games on the group stage, you have to show something much sooner than the third and final game.
Still, at least Poland played much tougher in this game, and showed a little more of why they entered as the eighth ranked team in the world, and the favorites to win this group.
Jan Bednarek scored in the 59th minute for Poland, breaking a scoreless tie to give his side the 1-0 lead. One aspect of positive continuity for this Polish team with other Polish teams is that they maintained the perfect record of 14 wins and no losses in World Cup contests after scoring the first goal. Poland has never lost in this tournament yet after scoring the first goal.
Japan was unable to answer in this contest, and that 1-0 Polish lead wound up being the final score in favor of Poland. Japan has not had much success against European sides in the World Cup recently, having failed to generate a goal in five of their last six matches against European squads.
Poland has not had good luck against Japan prior to this game. They lost 5-0 to Japan in 1996, and 2-0 to Japan in 2002.
Still, despite the loss, Japan was able to get the good news that they would advance, since Senegal lost when they absolutely could not afford to lose, and Japan won the tiebreaker advantage.
Belgium 1, England 0 - Belgium is one of the hottest and most explosive teams in this World Cup tournament. They finish with a perfect, unblemished record, having neither lost nor tied a single game thus far. Presently, they are riding a seven-game winning streak in group stage games, after having won only eight of their prior 24 meetings at that level. Belgium was perfect in winning all of their group stage games in their last two World Cups, joining both Argentina and the Netherlands, who did that in both 2010 and 2014.
Adnan Januzaj scored in the 51st minute to give Belgium the 1-0 lead.
And that was it. That was how the score stayed, until time expired with Belgium earning a 1-0 win.
For England, this was the first time in their 15 appearances in this tournament that they failed to get at least one shutout in the group level.
Tunisia 2, Panama 1 - Panama has had a horrific first ever World Cup tournament. They held their own through the first half against Belgium, but then got pummeled in the second half. They had an atrocious first half against England, and then played a bit better for the second half. But overall, they had been outscored 9-1 entering this game.
At least in this game, they were not humiliated.
Yassine Meriah scored an own goal to give Panama their first ever lead in a World Cup game. Panama still held that 1-0 lead at halftime.
But Tunisia started to take over in the second half. Fakhereedine Ben Youssef scored in the 51st minute to tie the game up.
Then, Wahbi Khazri scored in the 66th minute to put Tunisia up, 2-1. Tunisia held Panama off the rest of the way to preserve the win.
For Tunisia, this snaps a 13-game winless streak at the World Cup. This was Tunisia's second ever win at a World Cup. So they go out, but do so in a positive manner. Strangely, they won both of those two games after trailing, 1-0. They did so against Mexico in 1978, and they did it again this time against Panama.
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