Japan pips Senegal on fair play to make World Cup history

Japan and Senegal broke new ground on Thursday as FIFA's fair play rankings were used to decide a World Cup group for the first time.

Japan edged through to the last 16 of the World Cup ahead of Senegal in bizarre circumstances, becoming the first team in finals history to advance due to a better fair play record.

With the two sides tied on points and goals heading into their final matches, each required only a point to be sure of a place in the next round.

In bizarre circumstances, though, Japan went down 1-0 to already eliminated Poland as Senegal lost by the same scoreline to Colombia.

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With Colombia climbing to the top of the group, yellow card rankings were required and Japan came out on top, having only been cautioned four times to Senegal's six.

Japan, knowing this outcome, opted not to attack in the closing stages and instead gambled on Senegal not scoring in Samara.

FIFA introduced this method of separating teams for the 2018 tournament, with the drawing of lots the next step if Japan had picked up another two yellow cards in Thursday's match.