Japan benefited from a very early red card for Colombia to earn a 2-1 win in their World Cup opener.

Borussia Dortmund schemer Shinji Kagawa calmly dispatched a sixth-minute penalty after Espanyol midfielder Carlos Sanchez was shown a straight red card when he blocking a goal-bound effort following a flowing Japan attack.

Los Cafeteros, however, restored parity before the break when River Plate’s Juan Quintero fired a low free-kick under the Japanese wall and crept over the line despite the best efforts of Samurai Blue stopper Eiji Kawashima.

The South Americans stood firm thereafter with the Japanese unable to make their man advantage count for much of the second half.

But Cologne striker Yuya Osako glanced in substitute Keisuke Honda’s corner after 73 minutes and Akira Nishino’s side held on for a precious three points – the first time in 18 attempts an Asian side has beaten a South American nation at the World Cup.