Colombia and Japan advanced to knockout stage from Group H 2018 World Cup. Colombia finished as group winner with six points and Japan finished as runner up with four points.

This is quite unique because both Japan and Senegal collect four points, with same goal difference, and pretty much same statistics as seen below in the Group H final standings. 

So, why does Japan become runner up?

FIFA has eight points to determine the position of a team in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup.

  • Highest number of points
  • Goal difference
  • Goals scored
  • Points obtained in group games between teams concerned
  • Goal difference from games involving teams concerned
  • Number of goals scored in games between teams concerned
  • Fair play points
  • Drawing of lots by FIFA

In this case both Japan and Senegal have same points, same goal difference, same goals scored, etc so to determine which team rank higher FIFA use fair play points.

Under FIFA fair play rules a team loses one point for one yellow card. But, if a player gets two yellow cards, the team loses three points. If a player gets a direct red card, the team loses five points.

Japan got only four yellow cards, while Senegal got six. That's why Japan advanced to knockout stage.