Jan Bednarek’s goal in the 59th minute gave Poland a much-needed win in their last group game against Japan on Thursday in Volgograd, Russia.
Colombia’s simultaneous 1-0 victory over Senegal in Samara meant that fair play points determined whether Senegal or Japan would advance as Group H’s runner-up. Senegal and Japan finished level on points, goal differential and goals scored, and they drew in their head-to-head meeting. But Japan advanced because it was assessed two fewer yellow cards than Senegal. Colombia won the group by prevailing in its final two games after its opening loss to Japan.
Japan will face Group G’s winner, either Belgium or England, in the round of 16 on Monday in Rostov-on-Don. This is the third time in the past five World Cups that Japan has reached the knockout phase.
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