MAYA Yoshida experienced World Cup finals victory for the first time as Japan defeated Colombia in an emotional and historic 2-1 group-stage win.

Yoshida admitted he was full of regrets having finished rock bottom of the group without a win with Japan in the last tournament in Brazil four years' ago and wanted nothing more than to atone for that in Russia this summer.

And, at the first time of asking, the Saints defender and the Blue Samurai completed that mission, beating ten-man Colombia in the opening Group H game in Saransk.

The 29-year-old played the full game, helping Japan to their fifth ever World Cup finals win and through a tough first-half spell when Colombia got a foothold back on the game.

Japan, who claimed their first World Cup win on European soil in this one, were 1-0 up after just six minutes, as former Manchester United attacker Shinji Kagawa dispatched from the penalty spot following Carlos Sanchez’s handball to block Yuya Osako’s shot early on.

Sanchez was sent-off as a result, leaving the Colombians a man down after just three minutes, but the South Americans rallied and were back on terms on 39 minutes.

Yoshida and team-mates were outwitted by Juan Quintero’s clever free-kick, which the River Plate man sneaked under the unsuspecting Japan defenders in the wall to level things up.

Japan dominated after the break, though, and after Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina had twice been forced into good saves, Osako rose highest to nod home the winning goal on 73 minutes.

The FC Koln man sparked emotional scenes at the Mordovia Stadium as Japan became the first Asian side to beat South American opposition at the World Cup finals.

The victory will undoubtedly mean a massive amount to Yoshida, too.

Four years’ ago, the Saints defender was part of the Japan squad which failed to win in the 2014 Brazil tournament, finishing bottom of their group with one point.

“We had so many regrets from Brazil. Still I have some painful feelings in my head and in my heart. The only thing, winning or new success at international level can help,” he told the Daily Echo.

“There is only one solution to help the pain get better from Brazil, by winning in Russia.”

There wasn't such joy for fellow Saints defender Jan Bednarek, who lost his Group H opening game with Poland. They were beaten 2-1 by Senegal in Moscow.

The 22-year-old, who came on at the break for Jakub Blaszczykowsk with the Pole's already 1-0 down, was powerless to allow Senegal in for their second.

Bednarek was put under unnecessary as Grzegorz Krychowiak's horrendous back pass allowed M'Baye Niang to slot in after keeper Wojciech Szczesny rushed out in a horror moment for Poland. 

Poland pulled one back late on as Krychowiak headed in, partly atoning for his earlier error.