Wilmar Barrios recovered and will be able to participate in the match against Japan
Colombia and Japan will face each other in the first match of Group H in Russia 2018. José Pékerman's team begins its journey in the World Cup at the Mordovia Arena.
However, the match that will take place in Sarank is not the first for both teams in a World Cup event. 4 years ago, in Brazil 2014, Colombia and Japan faced each other in the group stage, the same stage as in Russia 2018.
That match took place on June 24, 2014, for the third round of Group C in the 2014 World Cup. In that match, the Colombian national team beat the Japanese team 4-1 with goals from Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, a brace from Jackson Martinez, and James Rodríguez closing the score with a great goal.
With this victory, Colombia reached 9 points and finished as the leader of Group C in Brazil 2014, reaching the quarterfinals.
Colombia will debut in Russia 2018 against Japan; on June 24, they will face Poland, and they will finish their group stage on June 28 against Senegal.
Fact
Colombia and Japan have faced each other in 3 matches. The South American team leads the head-to-head with two victories and one draw.