SARANSK: The first red card of the 2018 Word Cup finals arrived in the 15th game but after only two minutes 56 seconds. No need for VAR either.

Slovene referee Damir Skomina had no hesitation in sending off Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez for handling to prevent a certain goal in the South Americans’ 2-1 defeat by Japan in Saransk in Group H.

This was the second fastest expulsion in World Cup history, after Jose Alberto Batista’s 54-second dismissal while playing for Uruguay against Scotland in 1986.

The Colombians fought hard with 10 men but were eventually worn down though Japan did not claim their winning goal until 15 mintes from the end.

Sanchez was sent off for foiling a goal-bound shot from Shinji Kagawa who converted the penalty.

Remarkably, Colombia equalised in the 39th minute when Juan Quintero’s free-kick crept under the defensive wall and keeper Eiji Kawashima did not reach the ball until it had crossed the line. Referee Slomina brought an abrupt halt to Japanese complaints by pointing to his watch incorporating the goal-line technology signal.

It was the fourth goal direct from a free kick at the finals.

Colombia were kept on terms early in the second half by fine saves from keeper David Ospina from Inuiu and Osako and coach Jose Pekerman even gambled on the introducton of barely-fit James Rodriguez in search of victory.

Japan clinched the three points, however,in the 75th minute when Yuya Osako headed home a left-wing corner from Keisuke Honda.

The Japanese thus became the first Asian side to defeat South American opposition at the World Cup. It was also the first World Cup in which as many as four South American teams have failed to win their opening game since 1974.

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