Colombia have booked their spot in the FIFA World Cup (WC) round of 32, after defeating DR Congo 1-0 in Group K at the Estadio Guadalajara, in what was the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
In front of huge Colombian support inside the ground, the match began in frantic fashion. Edo Kayembe’s rasping long-range effort almost gave the Léopards the lead in sensational style after only two minutes, while Daniel Muñoz somehow missed the target from close-range for Los Cafeteros, after Lionel Mpasi parried Jhon Arias’ initial strike from inside the box.
Muñoz then found the back of the net in Colombia’s next attacking move, but the goal was instantly ruled out for offside. Mpasi was called into urgent action again shortly after the quarter-hour mark, as he produced a vital save to deny Luis Díaz from edging the South American side in front. By the time the hydration break took place during the first half, Colombia had already produced five shots on target.
Despite their first half dominance, Néstor Lorenzo’s team couldn’t find the breakthrough before the interval. And the start of the second half only carried on where the first half left off, as an inspired Mpasi made a brilliant save to thwart Díaz, before Jhon Arias fired wide from inside the box when he should have done better.
Los Cafeteros were desperate for someone to provide a moment of inspiration and that call was answered by Muñoz, as the Crystal Palace full-back found the bottom corner after 76 minutes to net his second goal of the tournament. Remarkably, Díaz soon had the ball in the back of the net on two separate occasions, but the strikes were ruled out for a foul and an offside respectively.
Colombia needed to ride out a couple of nervy moments in stoppage time, but there can be no doubt that they fully deserved the three points.
Those points have moved Colombia to the top of Group K, and they sit two points clear of Portugal going into matchday three.
Los Cafeteros will face Roberto Martínez’s outfit in their final group game this weekend, knowing that a win or draw will secure first place. Meanwhile, at the same time, DR Congo will aim to record their first ever WC victory when they take on Uzbekistan.
