VOLGOGRAD: Japan reached the last 16 at the World Cup for the third time despite losing 1-0 to Poland in their final Group H game in Volgograd.

They progressed at the expense of Senegal, who lost 1-0 to Colombia in their final group match. Japan sneaked into second place ahead of the African side because they accumulated fewer bookings during the group stage with the two sides level on four points, goals scored and goal difference.

Japan needed just a point to ensure qualification for the knockout rounds, but were undone by a Jan Bednarek header in the 59th minute at the Volgograd Stadium.

Japan will now play the Group G winners – either England or Belgium – next week, while Poland bow out of the competition on a high following the win.

But they have failed to score in five of their last six World Cup games against European opponents with their only goals coming in a 3-1 victory over Denmark in 2010.

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