Albion winger Jose Izquierdo suffered disappointment on his World Cup debut for Colombia in Russia today.

The South Americans slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat by Japan in their group opener in Saransk after Carlos Sanchez saw red in only the third minute and Japan converted the resulting penalty.

Japan scored their second half winner shortly after Izquierdo had been substituted by Argentinian coach Jose Pekerman.

Izquierdo, who played no part in Colombia's qualification, started on the left at the Mordavia Arena following a promising first season in the Premier League with Albion.

Colombia were soon in trouble when the influential Sanchez handled a goalbound shot after a defensive mistake by his Spurs namesake Davinson.

Shinji Kagawa stroked Japan ahead from the spot but Colombia shrugged off their numerical disadvantage in the first half.

Izquierdo looked lively in possession and they were level in the 39th minute, Juan Quintero (below) squeezing a cute free-kick under Japan's defensive wall and just beyond keeper Eiji Kawashima.

The Argus: Colombia ran out of steam in the second half. Arsenal keeper David Opsina kept them on terms with a couple of saves before star man James Rodriguez, left out of the starting line-up due to a calf injury, came off the bench at Quintero's expense.

Pekerman, rather than trying to preserve a point, continued to look for all three, replacing Izquierdo with striker Carlos Bacca on 70 minutes.

Japan were back in front four minutes later, Yuya Osako heading in a corner with Ospina in no man's land, as they avenged their 4-1 defeat by Colombia in Brazil four years ago.

The result completes a hat-trick of defeats in the opening group games for Albion's World Cup trio after Mathew Ryan (Australia) and Leon Balogun (Nigeria) were also beaten.

Colombia now face an uphill task to qualify from the group with games to follow against Senegal and Poland, who meet later (4pm).