Senegal created a piece of unwanted history on Thursday, becoming the first team ever to be eliminated from the World Cup on the fair play rule.
With their game against Colombia looking destined for a draw and Poland beating Japan, the Teranga Lions were set to qualify for the last 16 as Group H winners.
But Yerry Mina’s late goal gave the South Americans victory and left Senegal and Japan level on points, goal difference and head-to-head.
It meant that, as the full time whistles blew in Samara and Volgograd, Senegal were eliminated due to having accumulated one more yellow card than Japan.
Russia 2018 is the first World Cup in which fair play has been active after it was introduced to all Fifa competitions after Brazil four years ago.
Senegal had been the last remaining African side in the competition and the elimination of Aliou Cisse’s side means that there will be no team from the continent in the second round of a World Cup for the first time since 1982.
Group H was won by Colombia, whilst Japan progress despite losing 1-0 to bottom of the table Poland.
©CNN
