Group H marked the first use of the fair play rule to break a World Cup tie, advancing Japan over Senegal on yellow card count.
Key Facts
- Group dates
- 19 to 28 June 2018
- Teams in group
- Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
- Teams advancing
- Colombia and Japan
- Tiebreaker used
- Fair play (yellow card count)
- Japan vs Senegal result
- Identical scores and goal differences
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Poland, Senegal, Colombia, and Japan were drawn into Group H of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. After all group stage matches were played, Colombia topped the group, while Japan and Senegal finished level on points, goal difference, and goals scored, creating an unprecedented tie for second place.
Group H matches were contested from 19 to 28 June 2018 in Russia. Colombia secured first place and automatic qualification to the round of 16. Japan and Senegal ended the group stage with identical records, forcing officials to apply the newly instituted fair play tiebreaker rule for the first time in World Cup history.
Japan advanced to the round of 16 by virtue of having accumulated fewer yellow cards than Senegal across their three group matches. Senegal were eliminated despite the same points, goal difference, and goals scored as Japan. Poland also exited at the group stage, marking a disappointing campaign for the tournament favorites.