Poland vs. Colombia 2018 World Cup: live updates

Yerry Mina rises for the first goal of Colombia. (Alex Livesey / Getty Images)

Poland vs. Colombia

Group H, Kazan Arena, Kazan

Bednarek has rated yellow card

The first yellow card came in the 60th minute when Jan Bednarek of Poland defeated Colombian Mateus Uribe. After Poland returned the ball, Uribe had a strong first contact and Bednarek seemed to know that he was beaten. It was a tactical mistake to stop the counter-attack.

Half time: Colombia 1, Poland 0

The Tricolores have an advantage on the scoreboard, but what we saw in the field shows that it could easily be the opposite. Poland has a slight advantage in the penalty corners (five to four) but trailed on the shots (three to two). Both sides have a goal, and Colombia was the only one to do the same. If Polish star Robert Lewandowski can get similar chances in the second half as he did in the first period, it could turn out differently.

Goooooal!

A physical first half seemed destined for a scoreless score until Yerry Mina back in the 39th minute to take the lead in front of Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for a 1-0 lead. . Star Colombia striker James Rodriguez put pressure on Mina with a perfect touch on a center in front of the net.

The Colombian fans, who traveled well in Russia, were ready to make the jump before the start of the match. Now, they had their chance.

Starting lists

Reflect on thoughts

The stakes could not be higher for the first match of competition between Colombia and Poland. The teams entered as Group H favorites, but after falling surprisingly in their opener, they now find themselves on the verge of being eliminated.

If this game produces a winner, or if the teams shoot and either Japan or Senegal win in the other Sunday Group H match, it should offer a wild finish on Thursday.

One of Colombia's main goals will be to keep the 11 players on the field after midfielder Carlos Sanchez received a red card in the third minute against Japan last week, the second fastest in the world. history of the World Cup. . The Tricolores also hope that James Rodriguez 's left calf will be healed after he injured him in training before the match against Japan. The star striker entered as a submarine in this 2-1 defeat.

For Poland, which has moved well to Spartak Stadium for its opening, it needs to better integrate star striker Robert Lewandowski in the attack. The Eagles may have made the biggest blunder of the World Cup this year when Grzegorz Krychowiak sent a ball to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, but the nonchalant pass was stolen by the Senegalese M & # 39; Baye Niang and converted to the winning goal. With the margins of slimming error, both teams anticipate a tight match.

"It will be like a final," said Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, via the BBC.