World Cup, Senegal vs Colombia as it happened: Yerry Mina knocks Africans out

How do you explain going out like this to Aliou Cisse and his men? You can’t. Russia 2018 becomes the first World Cup since Spain 1982 to not have a single African team qualifying for the second round.

In terms of margins, this was razor thin. Senegal will be gutted by this exit, but the truth is that they didn’t do enough today. Lots of attempts but Aliou Cisse’s men were wasteful.

Full-time and Senegal are out.

Colombia knock the Teranga Lions out. The difference is a paltry three yellows. THREE YELLOWS. The most obtuse of conclusions to the group as Senegal are out of the World Cup, on fair play rules. Tough to digest, that.

89’: El Tigre goes off. 1-0 Colombia.

Miguel Borja comes on. Four minutes of added time.

86’: Colombia chase a second goal. Senegal trail 1-0.

This is bite-your-nails time for the Africans. Remember, those 3 extra yellows are knocking them out of the World Cup. Not very fair, you’d have to say.

74’: Yerry Mina scores! 1-0 Colombia.

The Barcelona centre-back scores his second goal of the tournament as Senegal are now going out on the basis of, FAIR PLAY. Yes, to re-iterate, FAIR PLAY! Japan have 3 yellows, Senegal would finish third with 6 yellows. Football, you cruel mistress!

63’: The free-kick balloons over the bar. 0-0.

Mane pulls a John Terry and slips while taking the set-piece. Both teams won’t mind this scoreline.

58’: Hold on to your seats, folks. Colombia might have been saved by a Jan Bednarek goal! Poland, who have done absolutely zilch in Russia, have just stunned Japan with a goal. Colombia are on course for progression again, with Japan dropping out.

Follow the Japan versus Poland game here.

48’: Colombia break but Senegal aren’t troubled. 0-0.

The South Americans show greater intensity but they need to start getting those balls in behind the Senegalese defence.

46’: We have kick-off in Samara. 0-0.

Half-time and it’s 0-0.

Colombia need to win here or it’s all over for Jose Pekerman’s side. James Rodriguez has already been taken off, as Los Cafeteros are staring down the barrel of elimination.

45’: Three minutes added on. 0-0.

Columbia University with a public service announcement:

40’: Ismaila with a wild cross. 0-0.

That cross was really, really off. On the touchline, the Senegalese number 18 slices the ball into the crowd. A few more balls like the last one and Aliou Cisse might be tempted to wear the green shirt himself.

35’: 0-0 Senegal put together another very nice attack

Launched by Mane, who found Keita. His shot was on frame, but Ospina was able to safely gather the ball. Wasteful from the Teranga Lions.

30’: 0-0. James Rodriguez substituted.

Big, big blow to Colombia as Jose Pekerman picks Luis Muriel to replace #JR10. Rodriguez looks unhappy, as you can imagine.

23’: 0-0. Senegal getting into dangerous positions...

But wasting their chances. Aliou Cisse looks most displeased.

18’: VAR review does not give Senegal a penalty. 0-0.

Sadio Mane is brought down by Davinson Sanchez in the box but the referee asks for a VAR review and no penalty is awarded. Close shave for Colombia there.

12’: Saved by the Senegal keeper. 0-0

Juan Quintero with a low free-kick but it is saved well by N’Diaye. No repeat of the goal against Poland.

6’: Senegal have a free-kick here. 0-0.

1’: We have kick-off. 0-0

07:20 pm: Senegal’s only World Cup finals match against a side from CONMEBOL was a 3-3 group stage draw with Uruguay at Korea/Japan 2002. They qualified to the knock-outs with that point. A draw will do today as well. The onus is on Colombia. Ten minutes to kick-off.

07:00 pm: Colombia’s front four start again in a must-win match. Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Juan Quintero and Juan Cuadrado make the South American nation a formidable force up front.

They won’t be taking Senegal lightly, as Sadio Mane may be the main man but Keita Balde, M’baye Niang and Ismaila Sarr all have the quality to hurt the opposition.

06:50 pm: While Germany were sent packing in a dramatic (understatement) turnaround in the second half, Brazil were clinical in their must-not-lose fixture against Serbia. While everyone’s attention has been focussed on Neymar, Coutinho has (without theatrics) been the real star of the show for Brazil.

Read more here.

06:45 pm: Alright, we can’t go forward today without recapping what happened yesterday. For the first time since before the second World War, Germany have left the World Cup after the first stage. ZE INCREDIBLE.

For the fourth time in five Fifa World Cups, the defending champions have.... well... not been so good at defending, as they were at being champions. Why is that the case? We try to come up with some explanations here.

06:38 pm: Here’s something to warm you up...

06:30 pm: And here’s a look at the Japan v Poland lineups.

06:25 pm: Alright then, team news time! Here’s how Senegal and Colombia line up... Kouyate named captain for Senegal and Colombia include Uribe in the first XI.

06:20 pm: The highest ranked team in the group has already been eliminated while an Asian and African team are in the best position to progress over an South American team. Who would have thought!

If you are keen to follow updates on Japan v Poland, where the Asians look to be the only team from the continent to be in the knockout stages, head over here for the live blog.

06:10 pm: If you are wondering what the scenarios are in detail... here’s an explainer. It’s one of the most interesting groups we have had at the World Cup so far, and that’s saying something!

06:06 pm: Hello all and welcome to The Field’s live blog of the final games in Group H. The main focus will be on Senegal vs Colombia, which is a virtual knockout to decide who progresses from the group. The other game is Japan v Poland where the Asians could become the continent’s sole representative in the knockouts should they avoid defeat. This group has been fascinating from the word go, and the final set of games promise the same.