Colombia edge DR Congo to seal place in World Cup knockout stage

GUADALAJARA: Colombia secured a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds with a 1-0 win over DR Congo on Tuesday, with Daniel Munoz scoring the decisive goal in the 76th minute.

The result in Guadalajara lifted Colombia to the top of Group K on six points, two ahead of Portugal with one first-round match remaining. Earlier, Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston after having drawn 1-1 with DR Congo in their opening game.

Colombia, who had opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, controlled much of the contest and created several chances from the start. Their supporters heavily outnumbered those of DR Congo, turning the stadium into a sea of yellow. Munoz missed an early opening and also had a goal disallowed for offside, while James Rodriguez forced a strong save from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Mpasi was repeatedly called into action as Colombia kept pressing. He denied Johan Mojica and Luis Diaz with further saves as the South American side played with speed and attacking intent. After the first drinks break, however, Colombia's early momentum faded somewhat, allowing DR Congo to work their way back into the match and threaten on occasion.

DR Congo remained in the game thanks to another important stop from Mpasi, who used his leg to keep out Diaz in the 50th minute. But Colombia eventually found the breakthrough when Munoz, making amends for his first-half miss, saw his effort deflect past the wrong-footed goalkeeper in the 76th minute.

The African side continued to push for an equaliser and came close after 90 minutes, when Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas had to dive to his left to turn away a powerful shot from Nathanael Mbuku.

Colombia, who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will next face Portugal in Miami on Saturday. DR Congo will meet Uzbekistan in Atlanta and still retain an outside chance of reaching the last 32 in their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.