GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Daniel Muñoz helped Colombia break by way of Congo’s stingy protection and advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup with a 1-0 win on Tuesday night time.
Muñoz scored within the 76th minute after the Colombians had been held again by a powerful efficiency from Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made 5 tough saves within the first 20 minutes.
Mpasi had no probability to cease Muñoz’s left-footed strike from inside the world after the ball deflected off a defender. It was Muñoz’s second aim within the match.
Congo twice got here shut to equalizing in stoppage time, with Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas making an outstanding save off a long-range strike by Nathanael Mbuku after which stopping a header by Chancel Mbemba off the following nook kick.
Colombian star ahead Luis Díaz had two targets known as again in fast succession late within the second half, one for a foul within the 79th minute and one other for offside within the eightieth.
Congo had opened its first World Cup in 52 years with a shocking 1-1 draw towards Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
Colombia has six factors from two matches in Group Okay, two forward of Portugal and 5 away from Congo. Portugal routed Uzbekistan 5-0 behind a pair of targets by Ronaldo earlier Tuesday in Houston.
Colombia wants a draw towards Portugal on Saturday to win the group. That consequence would even be sufficient to ship Portugal to the knockout stage.
Colombia, which didn’t qualify for the 2022 World Cup, is ranked eleventh on the planet, third greatest amongst South American groups behind Brazil and Argentina. Los Cafeteros opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. Congo, ranked forty seventh, had its World Cup preparations affected due to an Ebola outbreak.
Many Congo followers have been prevented from touring for the match due to restrictions tied to Ebola.
One fan who missed the primary sport due to quarantine necessities was Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who gained fame through the Africa Cup of Nations for posing as a statue of Congo’s assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba. He made it to the sport in Guadalajara, sustaining his statue pose all through the match.
Colombia had by no means been concerned in a scoreless attract 23 World Cup appearances.
Playmaker James Rodríguez joined Colombia greats Freddy Rincón and Carlos Valderrama with 10 World Cup appearances.
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