Five things we learned: Colombia 1-2 Japan
Technological difficulties, set-piece importance and a surprise chance of progression. It's five things we learned from Colombia 1-2 Japan.
PLAYERS WILL STILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES
As several players have done before him - notably, in World Cup terms, Luis Suarez in 2010 - Carlos Sanchez couldn't resist instinct early on against Japan.
The Colombian midfielder became the first player to be sent off at Russia 2018 after he blocked Japan's initial goalbound effort with an outstretched arm.
Red card, penalty - and while Suarez escaped with the subsequent spot-kick being missed eight years ago, there was no such luck for Sanchez this time around.
SET PIECES PROVING CRUCIAL
It wasn't just Japan's penalty which saw a goal celebrated from a dead ball; Colombia were doing the same before half-time.
Juan Quinter's free-kick was clever, opportunistic and perfectly placed, rolling under the wall and inside the near post.
After the likes of Aleks Kolarov and Cristiano Ronaldo scored spectacular free-kicks, and England's late winner came off a corner, this World Cup is once again proving the importance of excelling at set pieces.
PLAYERS NEED A TECH REFRESHER COURSE
Not for the first time, we saw players demanding a Video Assistant Referee review...of an incident which didn't require it.
That's not because Quintero's free-kick was so far over the line that Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima's protestations were unnecessary, but because VAR simply isn't needed to dictate whether or not a ball goes into the goal.
That's the domain of goalline technology, and the referee's watch would have informed him the instant Quintero's effort was completely in.
Isco's shot off the bar, for Spain against Portugal, was another such occurrence where players wanted a review. No need: it wasn't in, the watch didn't say so.
COLOMBIA MISSING ATTACKING STARS
Down to 10 men and losing in the opening five minutes, it would have been easy for Colombia to want to sit back, regroup and look to damage limitation, at least for the first half.
That's not the nature of the team though and it's not the style which would have gotten them a result, especially in this match - on paper, at least, their easiest game of the group stage.
It was evident, though, that their best offensive options were short of top fitness; Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez both had fitness tests before the match and neither impressed in their time on the pitch.
Cuadrado started but was subbed off after the red card, while James cut a frustrated figure after coming on for the final half-hour.
JAPAN WITH A SURPRISE CHANCE OF PROGRESSION
They were seen as fourth favourites in Group H without question, but three points in their opening match has given Japan a fantastic chance of progression.
It will be a tight group throughout and with twists and turns ahead, but this victory will mean everything to them and opens up the group considerably.