The buzz: With Radamel Falcao joining James Rodriguez, the World Cup’s leader scorer four years, Colombia’s attack is more potent than it was when the team made a surprising run to the tournament quarterfinals in Brazil. Now it has to prove that wasn’t a fluke and that makes this game one Colombia can’t afford to lose given what comes next. Japan, meanwhile, is a team in turmoil, having sacked coach Vahid Halilhodzic in April in favor of Akira Nishino. Japan has lost two of three games since.
The buzz: After its shocking 5-0 rout of Saudi Arabia in the tournament opener, Russia can take a huge step toward the second round with a draw against Egypt while a win would put the host nation through.