Japan, playing against 10 men for the most part, edged Colombia 2-1 in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group H opener on Tuesday at the Mordovia Arena, exacting revenge for their humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Los Cafeteros four years ago in the process.

As Davinson Sanchez struggled to control a relatively routine long ball, the Colombians panicked and Carlos Sanchez clearly handled a goal bound shot.

Match referee Damir Skomina had an excellent view of the incident and had no qualms in sending the midfielder off in the third minute itself.

The first red card of the World Cup in Russia and the second-fastest in the history of the tournament had the Colombians with a mountain to climb as Shinji Kagawa made no mistake from the spot to fire the Blue Samurai into the lead in the 6th minute.

With the injured James Rodriguez watching on from the sidelines, Colombia looked rather toothless in attack as star man Radamel Falcao struggled to get the quality service a striker of his kind thrives on.

Japan were under pressure after scoring, but they looked dangerous on the break and Kagawa looked to have set up Takashi Inui for a second but the striker’s shot was well saved by custodian David Ospina.

The first-half ended with Colombia in the ascendancy and their perseverance paid off with Juan Quintero’s deft free-kick under the wall crept in the goal, despite vociferous protests led by the Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

What was contentious was the manner in which Colombia got the set-piece and replays suggested the South Americans had got a bit of luck their way but the second-half saw Japan wrest control early on.

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Perhaps it was the sheer exhaustion of playing virtually from the first minute with a man down, but Colombia couldn’t maintain their tempo after the interval.

A flurry of chances came Japan’s way as the hour-mark neared and as the clock ticked, it looked like the Blue Samurai’s profligacy would cost them a win.

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Yuya Osako had other ideas, however, as he rose highest to nod home substitute Keisuke Honda’s pinpoint corner with 17 minutes left in the tie.

The likes of Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca had been introduced by Jose Pekerman but the vaunted duo was unable to affect the scoreline in a positive manner and the full-time whistle sounded with Japanese players celebrating raucously.

Poland take on Senegal in the other Group H game later on Tuesday and the European side’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages have drastically improved without them even kicking a ball.

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Colombia next take on the Poles on June 24, while Japan play Senegal later on the same day for their next fixture.