2018 FIFA World Cup: Japan and Senegal Gained Their First Victories While Russia Wins the Second Match of the World Cup

On June 19, the first matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia were played by Colombia and Japan, Poland and Senegal while the teams of Russia and Egypt met in the second games.

Japan gained a victory over Colombia with the score 1:2, being the first Asia’s team ever to win over South American opposition at the World Cup. The score was opened by Japan on the 6^th minute, when Shinji Kagawa converted the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal. The Colombians answered on the 39^th minute with a goal of Juan Quintero from a free kick. On the 73^rd minute, the score became 1:2 in the favor of Japan after a header of Yuya Osako, assisted by Keisuke Honda.

Yuya Osako was called Man of the Match. Colombian Carlos Sanchez received a red card on the 3^rd minute after a foul in the penalty area, suffering the second fastest dismissal in World Cup history. His teammates Wilmar Barrios and James Rodriguez as well as Japanese Eiji Kawashima were shown yellow cards.

The game between Poland and Senegal also ended with the score 1:2 in the favor of the latter, recording the first African win at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The first goal was scored by Polish Thiago Cionek on the 37^th minute, but in the net of his own goalkeeper.

In the second period, Mbaye Niang from Senegal scored a goal, making the score 0:2. On the 86^th minute, Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak headed from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner, assisted by Kamil Grosicki.

Senegal striker Mbaye Niang was voted as Man of the Match for his goal as well as for his help in the team’s defence. The yellow cards were received by Grzegorz Krychowiak, Salif Sane and Idrissa Gueye.

The team of Russia gained one more victory at the World Cup. Playing with the team of Egypt, they won with the score 3:1. The Egypt captain, Ahmed Fathi, helped the Russian team by deflecting into his own net on the 47^th minute.

On the 59^th minute, Denis Cheryshev scored the second goal for the Russia, assisted by Mario Fernandes. On the 62^nd minute, the third goal of Russia was marked by Artem Dzyuba after an assist of Ilya Kutepov. On the 73^rd minute, Egypt scored the only goal in the match. The team star forward, Mohamed Salah, scored.

Denys Cheryshev was called as Man of the Match for already the second time at the World Cup. The yellow cards were shown to Trezeguet and Fedor Smolov.