The 2018 Men’s World Cup continued on TUE 19 JUN 2018 with two matches that inverted the Group H table, and one that nearly decided Group A.

• Colombia 01-02 Japan: Four years after falling to the same opponent in Brazil, Japan turned the tables on the Cafeteros. Just three minutes in, Colombia’s Carlos SÁNCHEZ was sent off for blocking a Shinji KAGAWA shot with his arm. Kagawa scored on the resulting penalty, but Colombia responded by going on the offensive in the remainder of the first half. The pressure paid off as Juan QUINTERO equalised on a 39th minute free kick. The Samurai Blue, however, would claim the three points off a second half header by Yuya OSAKO.
• Poland 01-02 Senegal: The Teranga Lions took the lead late in the first half when a shot by Idrissa GUEYE was deflected in by Polish defender Thiago CIONEK. Then, in the 60th minute, after Senegal’s M’Baye NIANG was treated for an injury, the referee allowed him back onto the pitch just as Grzegorz KRYCHOWIAK passed back to goalkeeper Wojciech SZCZĘSNY. Unnoticed by the Poland defense, Niang swooped in and beat Szczęsny to the ball for an empty net goal. Krychowiak would head in a goal for Poland later on, but Senegal held on for the victory, making them joint leaders of Group H with Japan, whom they meet on Sunday. Poland look to rebound against Colombia on the same day.
• Russia 03-01 Egypt: After a goalless first half, there was a deluge in the second, just as the rain began to pour in St Petersburg. Russia took the lead on an own goal by Ahmed FATHI in the 47th minute, and within fifteen more minutes, Denis CHERYSHEV and Artem DZYUBA extended the host nation’s lead to 3-0. Egypt were awarded a penalty following a video review in the 73rd, which Mohamed SALAH converted. But the Pharaohs’ comeback fell short, and their hopes of advancing out of Group A now hang by a thread. Should Uruguay defeat Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Russia and Uruguay will both be assured of a place in the elimination phase.