Colombia won 1-0 in Guadalajara on Tuesday. With a goal scored in the 76th minute, Daniel Munoz sent Colombia into the World Cup Round of 32 after just two matches. DR Congo stay on one point.
Colombia won 1-0 in Guadalajara on Tuesday. With a goal scored in the 76th minute, Daniel Munoz sent Colombia into the World Cup Round of 32 after just two matches. DR Congo stay on one point.
Colombia controlled possession and created the better chances, yet were held off for 75 minutes by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. He denied James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, and Jhon Arias with a run of saves.
The deadlock broke in the 76th minute. Juan Quintero slipped a pass to Daniel Munoz inside the box, and the defender's low shot took a deflection off Steve Kapuadi before beating Mpasi. Then, Luis Diaz had two goals ruled out in just two minutes, because of a foul and an offside.
DR Congo nearly levelled in stoppage time. Camilo Vargas saved a long-range effort from Nathanael Mbuku, then stopped a Chancel Mbemba header from the corner.
Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo accepted his side rode their luck. "We probably could have scored more goals, but Congo made it difficult and it was tense there until the end," he said. "But I think we were the deserved winners."
The winning goal was Munoz's second goal of the tournament. "We played with intensity and aggression, and we stuck to our style," he said. "We earned these three points as a team and for all the fans who came out to support us. This victory gives us a morale boost. We don't want to settle for this," said the Crystal Palace player.
DR Congo manager Sebastien Desabre urged his players to recover quickly. "We need to accept the loss, keep our heads high and get back into the fight quickly," he told reporters. He credited the winners: "It would have been good to get a draw, but we must recognize that Colombia was superior. They have an excellent possession game."
DR Congo's support included Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the "living statue" fan who holds a motionless pose inspired by the memorial statue of Patrice Lumumba. He made his World Cup debut after missing the opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.
DR Congo are playing their first World Cup since 1974 and opened with a 1-1 draw against Portugal, the nation's first goal at the finals.
Colombia move to six points and top Group K, two clear of Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday. They face Portugal on Saturday in the final round.
DR Congo sit third on one point and must beat Uzbekistan in Atlanta to keep their qualification hopes alive. "Uzbekistan will be difficult because they defend well, but we are going to give our all," Desabre said.
