Colombia 0-0 Portugal
MIAMI, FL — Chances flowed with regularity in Miami but not one of the 36 efforts on goal rippled the net. The point ensured Colombia, who defeated Uzbekistan and Congo DR in their first two matches, topped the section, while Portugal advanced as runners-up.
The tone for this one was set in the very first minute, as Luis Díaz’s deflected shot was headed just over the bar by Jhon Córdoba. 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.
Colombia continued to probe and came even closer in their next attack. James Rodríguez bought himself a yard on the edge of the area and fed Jhon Arias with a superb reverse ball. The Palmeiras man charged into the area and drilled an effort towards the bottom corner, only for Rúben Neves to clear it from beneath the crossbar.
That chance woke Portugal up and they almost took the lead themselves. João Cancelo cut the ball back for Fernandes who took a touch and rifled towards goal from 12 yards out, but he was denied by a superb Camilo Vargas save. João Félix was next to try his luck, getting in behind the Colombian backline and volleying over.
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. Santiago Arias was fed down the right and cut the ball back for substitute Richard Ríos, and while he got good purchase on the ball, his side-footed effort flew past the near post.
The Arias’ then combined shortly after. Jhon laid the ball off to Santiago who cut it straight back to the No11 whose deflected effort was tipped wide by Costa. Gustavo Puerta was next to try his luck, firing a powerful long-range effort just past the post from the resulting corner.
Davinson Sánchez 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.
Second place ensures Portugal will take on Croatia in Toronto on 3 July. Colombia, meanwhile, have a Kansas City showdown with Ghana to look forward to a day later.
|
Group K
|
P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | TCS | Pts | Form | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Colombia
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 7 |
–
–
|
|
| 2 |
 Portugal
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 5 |
–
–
|
|
| 3 |
 Congo DR
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | -5 | 4 |
–
–
|
|
| 4 |
 Uzbekistan
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | -4 | 0 |
–
–
|
|
Key stat
This is Colombia’s first goalless draw at the World Cup in what was their 25th match.
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Diogo Costa (Portugal)
Information and Photos Courtesy of FIFA
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