World Cup: Colombia Make Last 32 With Win Over DR Congo 1-0
Daniel Munoz’s deflected strike was enough for Colombia to beat DR Congo and secure their place in the World Cup knockout stage.
Roared on by the vast majority of the crowd in Guadalajara, Colombia missed a host of chances before Crystal Palace wing-back Munoz broke the deadlock in the 76th minute.
Juan Fernando Quintero’s clever pass found its way to Munoz and his left-footed shot took a touch off the defender to wrong-foot DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and sneak in at the near post.
A second straight win puts Colombia top of Group K and clinches their place in the last 32, while DR Congo are third and need to beat Uzbekistan in their last group game to have any chance of progressing.
Match-winner Munoz was a threat throughout and should have put Colombia ahead inside four minutes, but put his close-range shot into the side netting after Jhon Arias’ shot had been parried into his path.
Two minutes later, Munoz did bundle the ball into the net after his initial header was saved but, while it was very tight, he was just offside.
Colombia were dominant during a relentless opening 20 minutes but could not find a way past Mpasi.
They remained on top after half-time and Luis Diaz should have put them in front on 50 minutes, but could not find the net with just Mpasi to beat, while Arias dragged the follow-up wide.
But just as it seemed it would be a night of frustration for Colombia, Quintero slid the ball into Munoz’s path and he beat Mpasi.
It is now two goals in two games at the tournament for Munoz – and he might reasonably think it should be more.
The one goal he scored came via a deflection, but neither he nor Colombia will care a jot given the strike sealed their qualification from the group.
Colombia face Portugal in their final group game on Saturday evening (00:30 BST, Sunday) in Miami.
At the same time, DR Congo take on Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
BBC
