Belgium wins, moves into tougher side of draw

KALININGRAD, Russia — In a match neither team had to win, Belgium came out on top and took first place in its World Cup group with a 1-0 victory over England on Thursday.

Adnan Januzaj scored with a curling shot in the 51st minute on a night of little tension or attacking intent.

With the victory, Belgium gets what appears to be an easier match in the next round against Japan on Monday in Rostov-on-Don. England will face Colombia on Tuesday in Moscow.

Both teams had advanced to the round of 16 before the match.

Although Belgium was the winner of the group, it might have the tougher road to the final with Brazil, Portugal, France and Argentina possible future opponents. If England gets past Colombia, it could face Spain, Russia, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden or Switzerland on its way to a possible final.

POLAND 1, JAPAN 0

In Volgograd, Russia, amid a crescendo of boos and whistles as neither side tried to score, Japan advanced to the knockout round because of a newly implemented tiebreaker — fewer yellow cards.

The Japanese, barely playing for the final 15 minutes of the match, lost to Poland. But they still reached the round of 16 because Colombia beat Senegal 1-0 in the other Group H match.

Both Japan and Senegal finished the group phase with four points, had the same goal difference and the same amount of goals scored. Starting at this year’s tournament, disciplinary records — known as fair play — were added by FIFA as a tiebreaker. Japan had four yellow cards in its three group matches while Senegal had six.

COLOMBIA 1, SENEGAL 0

In Samara, Russia, Yerry Mina scored on a header in the 74th minute and Colombia defeated Senegal to advance to the knockout stage. Senegal became the first team ever eliminated by a new tiebreaker — number of yellow cards.

Poland defeated Japan 1-0 in the other group match. Japan and Senegal were tied on all tiebreakers except “fair play points,” based on yellow and red cards. Japan had four yellow cards, Senegal had six.

Colombia, which played in the quarterfinals four years ago in Brazil, finished atop its group and is the fourth South American team to advance. Senegal’s elimination means no African teams are left.

TUNISIA 2, PANAMA 1

In Saransk, Russia, Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri set up a second-half goal and then scored one of his own to help his side secure its first victory in a World Cup in four decades.

Panama had taken the lead in the 33rd minute through an own-goal when Jose Luis Rodriguez’s hard shot deflected off of a Tunisia player that sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Both Group G teams were already eliminated going into the match. Tunisia hadn’t won a World Cup game since a 3-1 victory over Mexico in 1978.