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In pictures: Despair as Senegal crash out of World Cup

News imageGetty Images Sport Salif Sane of Senegal looks dejected following his sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Senegal and Colombia at Samara Arena on June 28, 2018 in Samara, Russia.Getty Images Sport
Senegal defender Salif Sané looks devastated as the final whistle is blown in Russia's Samara arena

Senegal came so close but in the end have been eliminated from the World Cup because they had received more yellow cards than Japan.

That means all five African teams - Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Senegal and Nigeria - have been knocked out of the group stages.

It's the first time since 1982 that no African team has made it through to the knockout stage.

And the first time that the fair-play rule regarding yellow cards has been used in the World Cup.

Here is how Senegal's 1-0 defeat to Colombia played out.

News imageReuters Football - World Cup - Group H - Senegal vs Colombia - Samara Arena, Samara, Russia - June 28, 2018. Senegal and Colombia fans inside the stadium before the match.Reuters
Fans of both teams are all smiles before kick-off
News imageAFP A Senegal fan cheers prior to the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match between Senegal and Colombia at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 28, 2018.AFP
This Senegal supporter takes the team's "Lions of Teranga" nickname quite literally
News imageAFP Colombia's defender Davinson Sanchez (L) vies for the ball with Senegal"s forward Sadio Mane (R)during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match between Senegal and Colombia at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 28, 2018.AFP
Senegal have an early penalty call overruled by the video assistant referee system (VAR) after this challenge on Sadio Mané...
News imageAlex Duval Smith/BBC Fans in Senegal react to the VAR decisionAlex Duval Smith/BBC
..a decision which outraged some supporters watching in Place de l'Obélisque, in Senegal's capital, Dakar.
News imageAFP Senegal's forward Sadio Mane (L) heads the ball as he vies for it with Colombia's defender Davinson Sanchez (R) during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match between Senegal and Colombia at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 28, 2018.AFP
Senegal had some good opportunities but even star striker Sadio Mané (L) was unable to breach the Colombian defence
News imageReuters Colombia's Johan Mojica is shown a yellow card by referee Milorad Mazic.Reuters
Colombia's Johan Mojica is shown a yellow card by referee Milorad Mazic in the 45th minute...
News imageEPA Mbaye Niang of Senegal is shown the yellow cardEPA
..later Mbaye Niang of Senegal gets a yellow card for bringing down Colombia's Yerry Mina with a high boot - but this was not the card which caused Senegal's elimination
News imageGetty Images Colombia break the deadlock 73 minutes in with this header from Yerry MinaGetty Images
Colombia score the only goal after 73 minutes with this header from Yerry Mina...
News imageReuters Senegal coach Aliou CisséReuters
Senegal coach Aliou Cissé waves on the sidelines to try and calm his players down
News imageAlex Duval Smith/BBC Fans in SenegalAlex Duval Smith/BBC
An anxious wait follows for fans watching the last few minutes in the Senegalese capital
News imageGetty Images Sport Khadim Ndiaye of Senegal consoles teammate Diafra Sakho of Senegal following their sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Senegal and Colombia at Samara Arena on June 28, 2018 in Samara, Russia.Getty Images Sport
When the final whistle comes the disappointment on the players' faces is plain to see...
News imageGetty Images Senegal fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Senegal and Colombia at Samara Arena on June 28, 2018 in Samara, Russia.Getty Images
..as Senegal sign off from the 2018 World Cup...
News imageAFP A Senegal fan cheers before the start of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match between Senegal and Colombia at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 28, 2018.AFP
..and their defeat means no African side remains in the tournament.