FIFA WC: Colombia top Group K after Portugal draw; DR Congo into knockouts
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Miami: Colombia won Group K with a goalless draw against Portugal at Miami Stadium, while Cristiano Ronaldo's team finished second.
Colombia and Portugal drew 0-0 tactically in Miami, ensuring that both teams earned a valuable point. Meanwhile, Congo demonstrated their domination with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.
The Portuguese will face Croatia in Toronto on Friday, while Colombia will play Ghana in Kansas City the following day.
Colombia continued to create the lion's share of the chances after the break and ought to have opened the scoring on the stroke of the hour, IANS reported.
This was Colombia's first goalless draw at the World Cup in what was their 25th match, IANS reported.
The tone was set in the very first minute, as Luis Diaz's deflected shot was headed just over the bar by Jhon Cordoba. He had the game's next chance as well, brushing off Bruno Fernandes en route to goal before letting fly, but Diogo Costa repelled the shot with a strong right hand.
Joao Cancelo cut the ball back for Bruno Fernandes who took a touch and rifled towards goal from 12 yards out, but he was denied by a superb Camilo Vargas save. Joao Felix was next to try his luck, getting in behind the Colombian backline and volleying over.
Davinson Sanchez thought he'd won it for Colombia in added time as he headed home an inch-perfect Juan Quintero cross. The captain's celebrations were cut short, though, by the linesman's flag.
DR Congo secure historic first World Cup win in 52 years to reach knockouts
Congo DR have won their first World Cup match 52 years after their first and only appearance at the global showpiece and reached the knockout stages for the first time ever.
Riding on a brace from Yoane Wissa and a goal from Fiston Mayele Congo completed a sensational comeback from a goal down and delivered a 3-1 win over eliminated Uzbekistan, who are heading home after finishing bottom of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K.
Congo, competing at the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the nation, then known as Zaire, became the first sub-Saharan African country ever to qualify for the tournament, followed Colombia and Portugal, who played out a goalless draw in Miami, into the knockout phase.
After back-to-back defeats, debutants Uzbekistan were clearly intent on claiming a positive result in their third World Cup outing, and they took an incredible lead after just 20 seconds at Atlanta Stadium.
Wissa added his second in injury time with an excellent finish from the edge of the box to ensure Congo DR's progress as one of the best third-place finishers. England will be their Round of 32 opponents in Atlanta on 1 July.