Colombia is the seventh team to confirm their place in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup. But the place did not come easy as they had to break down a stubborn Congo DR 1-0.
Daniel Munoz struck the all-important goal in the 76th minute to propel the South American side atop Group K with six points – two clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal with one game to go in the first round.
Portugal, held 1-1 by Congo DR in their opening match, earlier defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston, with Ronaldo scoring twice.
The South Americans, who beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their tournament opener, dominated the early stages, testing Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi.
Munoz squandered an early chance and shortly afterwards had a goal ruled out for offside while James Rodriguez unleashed a stinging shot that was brilliantly saved as Colombia kept probing.
Mpasi made further sharp stops from Johan Mojica and Luis Diaz as the Colombians, playing with pace and invention, continued to dominate.
But their intensity dipped after the first drinks break, allowing Congo to edge back into the contest and pose their own occasional threat.
Mpasi made another stunning save with his leg from Diaz in the 50th minute to keep the game goalless.
Congo briefly threatened but Crystal Palace defender Munoz made up for his first-half miss when his shot was deflected past a wrong-footed Mpasi.
The African team did not give up and as the clock ticked past 90 minutes Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was forced to scramble to his left to turn a fierce Nathanael Mbuku shot behind.
Colombia, who failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, will face Portugal in Miami on Saturday, while Congo take on eliminated Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
The Africans still have an outside chance of reaching the last 32 in their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire.
