Colombia 1-0 DR Congo: Muñoz books World Cup round of 32 spot | OneFootball

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Daniel Muñoz booked Colombia’s place in the World Cup round of 32 with a 1-0 win over a resolute DR Congo side at the Estadio Guadalajara.

The Crystal Palace wing-back had his initial goal just five minutes in ruled out for offside as the Africans held out under siege to go into the break at level pegging, largely thanks to some standout goalkeeping from Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.

Muñoz would find a way through late on in the second half before Luis Diaz saw two strikes chalked off, but it didn’t stop Colombia going top of Group K while third-placed Congo likely need a victory against Uzbekistan to progress.

As it happened

Colombia’s man of the hour could have had a brace in no time, inexplicably firing wide the rebound from Jhon Arias’ strike from mere yards out before heading in after Mpasi-Nzau parried his header to meet a great ball by Johan Mojica.

Muñoz began his run in behind a fraction too soon, however, and the opener was chalked off.

James Rodriguez decided he would try rolling back the years to his wonderful volley at the 2014 World Cup against Uruguay, which won the Puskas Award that year, but his drive from range was well parried by the in-form goalkeeper.

Congo’s main threat were long-range efforts on goal as Luis Diaz went close to a second goal at the tournament either side of half-time, but there was Mpasi-Nzau standing tall to keep out the Bayern Munich winger.

The pressure would eventually tell with just under a quarter of an hour to go, when River Plate wide man Juan Quintero spotted a darting run on the outside from Munoz ghosting into the penalty area hungry for another scoring chance.

He made no mistake this time, receiving the through ball courtesy of Jhon Cordóba shielding it away from the centre-back Steve Kapuadi and firing it towards the near post and into the net.

It turned out to be one of those nights for Diaz, who got in behind to latch onto a high ball over the top and audaciously lob the goalkeeper only for the referee to pull play back for a foul on the last defender just two minutes later.

Thinking he had finally got himself on the scoresheet after cutting into the penalty area from the left and curling a brilliant finish in to the top right corner, Diaz was then looking up to the sky as the assistant had his flag raised once again.

But Colombia’s performance merited the victory and Nestor Lorenzo’s side had indeed done enough to get the win, maintaining their 100% record in the group and progressing to the round of 32 prior to Sunday’s clash with Portugal.

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Colombia – DR Congo Live Score