Daily Schmankerl: World Cup upsets, Leno to Arsenal, and Neymar in pain

Early red card sinks Colombia as Japan win 2-1 — Group H

Another day, another upset: Colombia’s World Cup campaign got off to almost the worst start possible, as Carlos Sanchez earned the second-fasted straight red card in World Cup history with a handball in the penalty area in just the third minute of the game. Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa converted the ensuing penalty. Colombia nonetheless outplayed Japan for long stretches of the game and turned the tables with a sly free kick goal shot under the wall by Juan Fernando Quintero:

But Japan finally collected itself and Köln’s Yuya Osako scored the go-ahead goal for his nation. James Rodriguez started on the bench and came on at the hour mark, but could not rescue Colombia from defeat.

Japanese fans clean up stadium after win (Telegraph)

After wildly celebrating their team’s surprise victory, many fans of Japan stayed after the game and could be seen sweeping the stands and picking up litter, hoping to set an example for citizens of other nations:

Bernd Leno leaves Bayer Leverkusen for Arsenal (Bayer Leverkusen)

It was announced on Tuesday that Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno would be leaving the club to be apart of the rebuilding project at Arsenal. How much is Leverkusen getting for their goalkeeper? DW is reporting the fee at €25 million.

What does this mean for Leverkusen? The search for a Europa League quality replacement begins now. They could end up facing Leno and Arsenal in this year’s Europa League.

—Phillip Quinn

Senegal upset dysfunctional Poland 2-1—with a little help — Group H

Senegal became the first African nation to win a game at the 2018 World Cup by defeating Poland on a controversial second-half goal aided and abetted by the line referee’s decision to allow Mbaye Niang to return to the pitch just in time to intercept a back pass to Poland’s keeper Wojciech Szczesny, doubling their lead. Poland got a goal back off a set piece late in the game, but the offense around and including Robert Lewandowski struggled with poor passing and control all match.

Boateng sooo happy for Senegal

Who were they playing again? Oh...

Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg looking forward to facing Germany (Sport Bild)

Forsberg didn’t have his best game offensively in Sweden’s 1-0 victory over South Korea (four shots), but still managed 100% pass accuracy. As for Germany, “I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a cool game,” he said. He has not, however, exchanged messages with his friend Timo Werner since Germany’s defeat to Mexico: “Timo certainly had enough stress after that. But we’ll definitely write each other sometime during the week.”

Russia poised to advance after squashing Egypt 3-1 — Group A

Egypt’s superstar Mo Salah was finally fit to start, but it made little difference for Egypt, who were completely outplayed by a tough Russian team that again produced a lopsided scoreline in its favor. Russia took a 1-0 lead in the second half off the fifth own goal of this World Cup—one shy of the record. Mo Salah put away a late game penalty for Egypt, but Russia’s three goals in 16 minutes gave them no hope of reversing the outcome of the game. Egypt are now virtually eliminated.

Neymar breaks off training due to ankle pain (Fox)

Brazil’s talismanic superstar Neymar was forced to leave team training early on account of ankle pain. Neymar complained bitterly about the 10 fouls Switzerland subjected him to in their 1-1 draw against Brazil, but won little sympathy from opposing fans accustomed to his diving ways. But it seems that the boy who cried foul really did take a hard knock.