Colombia topped Group K after a goalless draw with Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 28 June, a result that sends the South Americans through as group winners while Portugal advance in second place. It was, as goalless draws go, one of the most entertaining of the tournament, played in front of a sell-out crowd of 64,478 in what was the most-requested fixture of the entire group stage.
Colombia finish with seven points, while Portugal advance to face Croatia in the round of 32. DR Congo claimed the third-place spot after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in the group’s other match, ending Uzbekistan’s campaign.
Colombia arrived with a clear gameplan: rough up Cristiano Ronaldo and deny him any space to operate. The 41-year-old was pushed, shoved and fouled more than any other player on the pitch throughout the evening, shooting frustrated glances at the referee as Davinson Sanchez and Jhon Lucumi tag-teamed him relentlessly. The Colombian fans, who vastly outnumbered the Portuguese support, booed Ronaldo every time he touched the ball, the noise rising another level whenever he was directly involved.
He had his moments. A free kick in the first half was hit on target but without the power to trouble Camilo Vargas, and a left-footed effort in the second half drifted wide, with replays also suggesting he was offside when Joao Felix played him through.
The save of the match came in the first half when Vargas produced a sublime stop to deny Bruno Fernandes from close range. The Portuguese midfielder struck it so hard that the goal looked certain, but Vargas got his body firmly behind the shot to keep Colombia level. It was one of several strong contributions from the goalkeeper across the evening as Portugal repeatedly searched for a breakthrough.
Martinez made changes at half-time as expected, introducing Diogo Dalot and Joao Neves and later bringing on Rafael Leao and Samu Costa. The changes improved Portugal’s threat, but Colombia’s defence held firm throughout. Ruben Dias produced a world-class clearance from under his own crossbar late in the second half to deny Colombia what would have been the winner.
The most dramatic moment arrived in stoppage time when Davinson Sanchez headed home from a corner to send the Colombian fans into pandemonium, only for the linesman’s flag to cut the celebrations short. VAR confirmed the decision, with replays showing Sanchez’s toe just beyond the last defender. Colombia finished with 24 shots across the evening, their first ever goalless draw at a World Cup.
Jefferson Lerma drove through the lines with purpose throughout, Gustavo Puerta impressed again in midfield, and Santiago Arias caused consistent problems down the right. Luis Diaz created Colombia’s best chance inside the opening two minutes, his effort deflected just wide. James Rodriguez, who received a standing ovation upon his substitution in the 77th minute, offered flickers of his 2014 brilliance without ever truly igniting.
Portugal finishing as runners-up in Group K effectively ends any possibility of a Messi versus Ronaldo meeting at the quarter-final stage. The only scenario in which the two icons could now face each other at this tournament is in the final itself. Instead, Argentina’s path could now lead to a potential quarter-final rematch of the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia.
Portugal will face Croatia in the round of 32, while Colombia take on Ghana. Both sides can reflect on a thoroughly entertaining evening that did justice to the occasion, even if neither could find the decisive goal.
