Shinji Kagawa opened the scoring for Japan from the penalty spot following a three-minute delay, after Carlos Sanchez was sent off for handling his shot.
Colombia fought back to level before the half-time thanks to Juan Quintero’s clever free-kick from 20 yards, which was confirmed by goalline technology.
But Osako headed home off the post from Keisuke Honda’s fine corner with 17 minutes remaining at the Mordovia Arena.
