Colombia Secures Knockout Stage Berth with 1-0 Win Over DR Congo

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That's all folks!

P By Pokuah Frimpong

That is Matchday 2 all done and dusted now.

Starting tomorrow, it's six games a day and the final chance for sides to lock in a place in the Round of 32.

Thank you for joining us here on the blog. See you tomorrow for some more World Cup action.

Match Report: Daniel Muñoz scores as Colombia edges DR Congo 1-0 to reach knockout stage at World Cup

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Daniel Muñoz helped Colombia break through DR Congo’s stingy defence and advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup with a 1-0 win on Tuesday night, local time.

Muñoz scored in the 76th minute after the Colombians had been held back by a strong performance from DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made five difficult saves in the first 20 minutes.

Mpasi had no chance with Muñoz’s left-footed strike from inside the area after the ball deflected off a defender.

DR Congo had opened its first World Cup in 52 years with a surprising 1-1 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Colombia has six points from two matches in Group K, two ahead of Portugal and five clear of Congo. Portugal routed Uzbekistan 5-0 behind a pair of goals by Ronaldo earlier on Tuesday in Houston.

Colombia needs a draw against Portugal on Saturday to win the group. That result would also be enough to send Portugal to the knockout stage.

Colombia is ranked 11th in the world, third best among South American teams behind Brazil and Argentina. Los Cafeteros opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.

AP

Colombia vs DR Congo FT stats

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Possession: COL 64% - COD 36%

Shots: COL 20 - COD 8

Shots on target: COL 9 - COD 1

Big chances: COL 2 - COD 0

Expected goals: COL 1.03 - COD 0.39

FT: Colombia hold on to qualify for knockout stage

P By Pokuah Frimpong

It wasn't easy for Colombia, but Daniel Muñoz's goal means that the South Americans have qualified for the round of 32, and they move back on top of Group K.

It's not over for DR Congo, who still can qualify for the knockout stage, but the Leopards will now need a win over Uzbekistan to get through.

90 + 3' DR Congo chance

P By Pokuah Frimpong

It's a good corner from Mbuku. Chancel Mbemba gets his head to it.

It's on target, but it doesn't have enough power to beat Vargas.

90 + 1' Vargas denies DR Congo

P By Pokuah Frimpong

It's the Colombian goalkeeper's first save of the night, and what an important one it is.

Mbuku with a great effort from distance. Vargas is up to the task and is able to push it away for a corner.

90' - 6 minutes added on

P By Pokuah Frimpong

87' Mpasi at it again

P By Pokuah Frimpong

The DR Congo goalkeeper with another great stop.

Puerta launches from a long way out off a Colombian corner. Mpasi does well to react.

The ball fell into a crowd of players, but no-one could clear it before the referee blew the whistle.

For a moment, it looked like he was giving a penalty, but it was for an offside.

82' More subs for DR Dongo

P By Pokuah Frimpong

ON: Nathanaël Mbuku

OFF: Samuel Moutoussamy

80' DIAZ DENIED AGAIN

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Díaz with an absolute beauty of a strike. It won't count though, flag goes up.

He went too early in the build-up to the goal.

76' MUNOZ BREAKS THE DEADLOCK!!

P By Pokuah Frimpong

It's his second goal of the tournament, and what an important strike it is.

Quintero with the pass, trying to find Lucumi, who can't get it under control. The ball runs through to Muñoz, who is in the right place at the right time and slots in the opener.

It takes a slight deflection off the boot of Steve Kapuadi on its way through.

73' DR Congo chance

P By Pokuah Frimpong

First Wissa with a shot on goal, but Colombia recovers with numbers to block the shot.

Ball finds Pickel, who heads it back across the goal, but it's cleared away.

72' DR Congo subs

P By Pokuah Frimpong

ON: Charles Pickel, Joris Kayembe

OFF: Arthur Masuaku, Edo Kayembe

68' Hydration break

P By Pokuah Frimpong

DR Congo is holding strong and frustrating Colombia.

After the first hydration break, we saw the African team attack more. Will we see it again after this drinks break?

65' Mpasi strong stop

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Mpasi was caught in an awkward position, but some nice footwork gets him set, and he's able to bat away the cross into the box.

He's been DR Congo man of the match so far.

Earlier DR Congo substitution

P By Pokuah Frimpong

On: Simon Banza

Off: Cédric Bakambu

58' Colombia subs

P By Pokuah Frimpong

On: Juan Quintero, Jhon Córdoba

Off: James Rodríguez, Luis Suárez

57' First yellow of the game

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Jhon Lucumí body checks Yoane Wissa for the first yellow card of the game.

The lead-up was some of the best combination play we've seen from the Leopards all game. Wissa looked away there.

53' DR Congo off target

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Aaron Wan-Bissaka finds space and does well to switch it to the left.

Samuel Moutoussamy just can't keep his shot down, and it's well off target.

They have to do better in those moments, DR Congo, especially if they are going to have so few chances going forward.