​Colombia wasted numerous chances but had to settle for a goalless draw with Portugal on Saturday in the final World Cup group stage match, yet the South Americans still advanced as Group K winners. They will face Ghana on Friday in the round of 32, while Portugal, who finished as runners-up, will meet Croatia the day before. In the other game, the Democratic Republic of Congo made history by booking a spot in the knockouts after coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1. This marks DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance since their 1974 participation as Zaire, when they failed to win any of their group games. DR Congo now face a tough test against England on Wednesday, while debutants Uzbekistan are eliminated.
Costa shines to save Portugal. The lack of goals in the Colombia-Portugal clash wasn’t due to a shortage of chances, especially for Colombia, but Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced a dazzling display to keep a clean sheet and secure a point. Jhon Cordoba had Colombia’s first attempt in the second minute, narrowly over the bar. In the 17th minute, he beat Bruno Fernandes but Costa’s strong save denied him. As the half ended, Portugal pressed, with Fernandes firing from close range but Camilo Vargas kept Colombia in the match with a superb save in the 39th minute. The action continued until Ruben Neves’s long-range effort skimmed the bar. Before the break, João Félix volleyed just over, while James Rodríguez forced another Costa stop from distance.
In the 55th minute, Jefferson Lerma and Jhon Arias both tried from distance but were thwarted by Costa. Luis Díaz sent an effort wide in the 62nd, another Costa denial on Arias following. Luis Suárez volleyed over from a promising position in the 88th, moments after Rubén Dias cleared off the line with a remarkable defensive intervention. Colombia finally found the net in stoppage time, but Davinson Sánchez’s header was ruled offside. Defender Daniel Muñoz, who had started on the bench, came on only in the 87th minute. “I think Colombia played a great game from start to finish. We deserved to win; we created many chances, we just lacked finishing. I want to congratulate the boys for their effort because they were outstanding today,” said Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo.
Magical day for DR Congo. Eldor Shomurodov’s chip over Lionel Mpasi gave Uzbekistan the lead in the 10th minute. DR Congo believed they had equalized in the 17th, but Nathanaël Mbuku’s effort was ruled out after a video review for a foul in the buildup. They did level in the 68th minute when Abdukodir Khusanov brought down Yoane Wissa, and the referee awarded a penalty, which Wissa converted to make it 1-1. DR Congo then surged, and their dramatic comeback continued as they netted two more goals to secure a 3-1 victory, clinching a historic spot in the knockout stages.