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Thursday's Group H clash at the Samara Arena was a closely contested battle as Colombia edged past Senegal 1-0. The result sees Los Cafeteros qualify for the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2018, as table toppers, where they will face either England or Belgium.
The first half produced no goals as Senegal's organization was spot on, nullifying Colombia's attack and denying the Colombian midfielders space to exploit. Senegal started the game in bright fashion but couldn't find the back of the net due to some lacklustre finishing in the final third from their forwards. Colombia's best chance came when Juan Quintero's free kick was smartly saved by Khadim N'Diaye.
After the restart, Colombia were composed as they found a way to bypass Senegal's counter pressing, but couldn't find a way through on goal until Yerry Mina headed in Juan Quintero's cross in the 74th minute. The Colombians saw out the game with ease as Senegal lacked the bite to cause problems for the Colombian defence.
Without further delay, we look at the five talking points from the clash at the Samara Arena.
#5 Colombia's patience and never say die attitude pays off in the end
Senegal and Colombia started the game playing the 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formation respectively. The entire first half saw the South Americans enjoy most of the possession to no avail as Senegal, who changed to the 4-5-1 formation while defending, outnumbered the Colombians in midfield, which left Colombia with no space to exploit.
Moreover, Senegal's intense counter pressing resulted in Colombia being dispossessed on countless occasions in areas near the half line which allowed Senegal to break at Colombia with ease, only to be let down by some insipid finishing.
Although Senegal made life difficult for the Colombians, the latter kept probing at their opponent's defence and were finally rewarded when Yerry Mina popped up to score from Juan Quintero's corner in the 74th minute.
From that moment onwards, Colombia started taking control of the game and forced Senegal to commit mistakes and give away silly fouls. Ultimately, Colombia held firm and secured a 1-0 victory which booked their place in the Round of 16.
#4 Tame finishing: The main reason for Senegal's exit from the World Cup
Aliou Cisse made two changes in personnel from the squad that drew 2-2 against Japan with Cheikhou Kouyate and Keita Balde Diao replacing Badou N'Diaye and Alfred N'Diaye.
Senegal started with Balde Diao and Mbaye Niang up top with Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr occupying the wings. The quartet started off brilliantly, recovering possession on a number of occasions, using their physicality to trouble the Colombian defence and drawing some smart fouls in crucial areas of the pitch.
Every other aspect was executed with perfection from the forwards baring their end product which was abject in the final third making it easy for the Colombian defence to get back possession. Senegal were also denied a penalty as VAR adjudged Davinson Sanchez to have made contact with the ball before bringing Mane down. Ospina was untroubled in goal as most shots came straight at him.
In what could have been a comfortable win for Cisse's men, some tame finishing led to Senegal lose the game and finish third in the group.
#3 A solid defensive display from Pekerman's men helps them see off Senegal
Jose Pekerman named an unchanged back four from the 3-0 romp of Poland. The back four of Arias, Mina, Sanchez and Mojica did a splendid job in ensuring victory for Colombia.
During the initial parts of the game, Colombia's back four struggled to cope against the pace and directness of Senegal's attack, conceding cheap free kicks in some dangerous positions. But as the game went on, the defenders grew in confidence and prevented Senegal's attack from scoring.
The back four was marshalled by Davinson Sanchez who was composed throughout the game while coming up against Sadio Mane. Sanchez saved his team's blushes after his perfectly timed tackle prevented Mane from going through on goal in the first half.
Yerry Mina, Sanchez's partner in the middle, complemented the Tottenham Hotspur centre-back with some vital tackles and interceptions. His efforts were rewarded when he scored the all-important winner to send Los Cafeteros to the next round. The goal sees the Barcelona player take his tally to 5 goals from 14 International appearances.
Colombia's full-backs, Santiago Arias and Johan Mojica, displayed some great awareness and kept the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Lamine Gassama subdued for most parts of the game.
Overall, it was a solid display in defence from the Colombians, which is going to be needed if the South Americans want to progress further in the World Cup.
#2 Colombia lack creativity in the absence of James Rodriguez, but his substitution could be a blessing in disguise
James Rodriguez cut a frustrated figure against Senegal as he was taken off in the 31st minute due to the recurrence of the calf injury that kept him out of the starting eleven in Colombia's opener against Japan.
One area of concern for the Colombians will be the fact that they lacked creativity up the pitch in absence of their talisman. Senegal's high pressing saw Colombia suffer as they gave away possession in vital areas of the pitch, resulting in Senegal's counter with pace.
Although the goal came from a Juan Quintero cross, both him and Juan Cuadrado were visibly uncomfortable with Senegal's defence and were often found pitted against two or more defenders while on the ball.
Looking at the brighter side, James being taken off may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as Colombia would want their talisman to be fit and running for the remainder of the World Cup. James is one of the few players in Colombia with the requisite nous and experience which will be needed by the Colombians if they are to go far in this tournament.
A player of James' calibre is capable of producing someting out of nothing as it was evident in his display against Poland.
#1 An organized display from Senegal goes in vain due to a momentary lapse in concentration
Senegal lined up with a solitary change in defence with Lamina Gassama taking the place of Moussa Wague, who scored Senegal's second goal versus Japan.
The centre-back partnership of Salif Sane and Kalidou Koulibaly has impressed in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with both of them showing composure during the game which is evident from the way they marshalled Falcao.
Senegal started the game in bright fashion with the Africans effectively pressing the Colombians, thereby forcing them to play aerial balls which were comfortably dealt with by the Senegalese defenders. Their tactic of crowding the midfield looked to be an effective plan to shut out the Colombians as Senegal switched to a 4-5-1 formation while defending.
The second half saw a momentary lapse in concentration which led to Senegal concede when Juan Quintero's corner was headed in by Yerry Mina. Senegal's marking was poor at this moment which ultimately led to their elimination.
Senegal would be disappointed with the fact that poor marking from a set piece rendered all their hard work, organization pointless and cost them their place in the Round of 16.
How far do you think will Colombia go in Russia? Tell us in the comments below!
