Japan kicked off the 2018 World Cup with a stunning 2-1 win against Columbia on Tuesday,
at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk. And most of what you need to know about this victory is one star player’s reaction to scoring a goal.
Winning at soccer is one thing, but it helps if someone has a jubilant reaction to go with it. And on Tuesday, that someone was Japan’s forward Yuya Osako. Japan took the lead and held onto if for for dear life in the 72nd minute on the wings of Osako’s header in the chaotic second half. Unfortunately for José Pékerman and the rest of Columbia’s merry band of players, a hand ball turned into a penalty kick forced Columbia to play with only 10 men.
But that’s their loss and Japan’s win.
Because thankfully, blessedly, photographers were on hand to capture Osako celebrating a goal with midfielder Gaku Shibasaki during the match. And at that precise moment, the pure joy in his eyes embody the whole world’s ecstasy. His leaps through the air are the song in everyone’s heart.
This result marks Japan’s sixth straight World Cup. Suffice it to say that this guy was pumped.
This means that Columbia has some work to do, and lets Poland and Senegal know they’re the country to beat. See him celebrate below.
What a win for Japan #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/15nV5Rmya3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 19, 2018
Yuya Osako had as many shots on target (3) as the entire #COL side combined and more than the rest of the #JPN side (2).
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 19, 2018
37.5% of the total shots on target in the game. pic.twitter.com/2heGUB4Tao
Japan's victory marks the first time an Asian side has beaten a South American opponent at the #WorldCup
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) June 19, 2018
This will be a result remembered for a long, long time ???? pic.twitter.com/fP8AY2QbnY
Yuya Osako scores after the clean header off the sweet Keisuke Honda corner! #JPN is back on top, 2-1 vs #COL! #WorldCup #COLJPN
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) June 19, 2018
LIVE NOW!
???? Liga Sky ch 86, Liga Sky HD 183
????/???? https://t.co/SdzMQR9oTf pic.twitter.com/z6BQrfoXZz