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It ended all square between Japan and Senegal in the Central Stadium as the game finished 2-2. Aliou Cissé's side led twice but were cancelled out by Takashi Inui and Keisuke Honda. For the African side, Sadio Mane and Moussa Wague got onto the score sheet.
The first-half had little to separate the sides as both of them opted for different approaches to proceedings. If viewed in the tactical aspect, it was an absorbing half, with Japan doing the talking in possession and Senegal banking on their counter-attacking propensity.
Despite having just 39% of the ball, the Senegalese created 4 chances, one more than Japan in the same period of play. Sadio Mane broke the deadlock with a fortuitous goal before Japan's star player in Inui restored parity to get his side back in it.
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Since then, it was even-steven for the rest of the half. The match resumed in the same way after the break with Japan buying time for themselves in possession and Senegal playing it rough.
The Blue Samurais were clearly the better side in the early parts of the half, winning balls high up the pitch, playing lovely diagonals to spread the attack and creating more chances. Inui struck the frame of the goal after his side had piled enough pressure, and Osako missed an easy chance from point-blank range.
However, against the run of play, Moussa Wague struck home a well-taken goal. Japan's sloppiness and frailties at the back were clearly exposed here. Just a few minutes later, Keisuke Honda was off the bench and on the score sheet to leave the result hanging in the balance.
Akira Nishino's side trailed twice and responded with character and resolve. Leaving the football pitch, they would have felt they deserved three points more than Senegal.
Here are five players who endured the most contrasting of expeditions:
#5 Best: Ismaila Sarr
Ismaila Sarr was in fabulous touch this game.
He shifted gears quite often and charged down the flank to add more to the attack. His pace coupled with sharpness had a massive impact on the outcomes of their attacks.
While building up for the first goal, it was his interchange of passes between Wague and Niang that led to the opening. Sarr's touch and quick decision-making skill gave him an upper hand while he dribbled past opponent defenders.
He was one of the main catalysts of Senegal's counter-attacking threat, as he combined well with his teammates and tried to find passes quickly.
Also to add, the 20-year-old smartly entered the box in order to include a final product, whenever Wague exploited the wider areas and stretched Japan's defence.
#4 Worst: Khadim N'Diaye
Yet again, we witnessed a howler from a goalkeeper this World Cup.
This definitely seems to be a World Cup full of shockers and silly errors from the glove men and this time, Khadim N'Diaye was the guilty party.
Now, if looked at it closely, he committed a couple of mistakes in both goals. While Takashi Inui was lining up a shot, he had two Senegalese players close to him, covering N'Diaye's near post. This only implied that the Japanese winger would go for a far-post attempt.
Take nothing away from his shot, which was an absolute beauty. But, N'Diaye's positioning could have been a little more to his left.
By conceding the second goal, he surely added himself to the infamous list comprising of the likes of David De Gea and Willy Caballero. Now you know what we are talking about.
He suffered a miscommunication with his defender, came out of his line to punch the ball away but was left with no chance when Honda slotted a goal past him. There was no need of committing to the ball in such a way.
#3 Best: Moussa Wague
Moussa Wague was on fire. The youngster announced and expressed himself on the big stage like no one else.
Firstly, hats off to his fearlessness, flair and flamboyance. Considering the fact that he is 19, no one would expect him to go forward as he did.
He put up an all-round show. The teenager set the tone right from the very beginning, by darting forward into advanced positions, overlapping the wingers continuously and not being afraid of entering the 18-yard box. Due to his positive and tactical presence, Nagatomo was forced to drop deeper and narrower.
Although the left-back enjoyed some space in the final third, it was only in bits and pieces. His deliveries too, were top notch, as he whipped the crosses in with the right amount of pace and precision.
Wague defended neatly, using his physicality and chipping in with vital challenges. For the goal too, he outfoxed Nagatomo with a late run and a sublime finish.
#2 Worst: Yuya Osaka
In simple words, Osako missed a couple of sitters which could have sealed qualification for Japan.
A fine flick by Haraguchi set him up for a free header, but he only shot it at the goalkeeper's arc. The moment of the match was wasted by him when a low cross came in and he got away from his marker but didn't manage to get his feet on the ball from three-four yards out.
He failed to find any connection. Probably, the striker was caught in two minds while approaching the ball, but, one simply can't afford to let these chances slip in a World Cup game.
Moreover, he didn't hold the ball for long enough or buy time for his players. While some of his touches were indeed precise and sharp, they were ineffective the context of the game.
His pace and concentration faded as the game went on. Also to mention, he didn't really trouble the powerful centre-back duo of Sane and Koulibaly.
#1 Best: Takashi Inui
Takashi Inui showed yet again why he's a man for the big occasions. Not renowned as a prolific goal scorer, Inui is now shutting his critics by scoring for his country.
Firstly, let's talk about his goal. On the back of a pin-point diagonal and a moment of genius from Nagatomo, he claimed his goal. Despite such a good run of play, the box was crowded with Senegalese defenders. He kept his composure and pulled out a first-rate finish.
He also beat N'Diaye the second time by hitting the post and coming close again. He created the chance for Honda that led to the equalizer, accurately passing it to the veteran.
Apart from these direct contributions on goal, he looked lively for the most part of the game. In the first-half, he kept hold of the ball well and delivered a couple of crosses.
He completely found his range after the break as he took on defenders, combined well with his forwards and split the defence many a time with inch-perfect passes.
The best player on the pitch in this fixture, by some distance.
