Colombia rue offside call, but send message: can go far in Copa | OneFootball

Expectations were SKY-HIGH. Much like the heat in Miami. 

And indeed, Colombia versus Portugal on Saturday night (27) was a high-level match. 

The clash at Hard Rock Stadium was worth first place in World Cup Group K.

It ended goalless, but still delivered plenty of good moments thanks to Colombia’s EXCELLENT performance. 

Including a razor-thin offside call that saved CR7 & Co. in the 91st minute.

Check below who both teams will face in the round of 32. 

The other match in the group ended with DR Congo making history.

See the highlights below. 

All that was missing was a goal!

The first half featured a dominant Colombia for the opening 20 minutes.

Lots of movement, runs in behind, and organization with and without the ball — repeating what had already been seen from them at the World Cup.

Diogo Costa had to come up big, and Rúben Neves even cleared what looked like a certain goal.

Portugal improved as the minutes went by and forced Camilo Vargas into a great save. But they still fell short of expectations given the talent at their disposal. 

The final minutes were end-to-end stuff. But still no goals. 

Colombia... on the ATTACK!

Roberto Martínez’s attempts had no effect for Portugal.

The cafeteros, meanwhile, came back better for the second half. 

They dominated against an ineffective opposing side and kept creating chance after chance. 

With standout performances from James and Jhon Arias.

The superior Colombia kept control of the match.

Diogo Costa and Rúben Dias made the difference to preserve the draw and, in the 91st minute, semi-automated offside denied Colombia, who were already celebrating through Davinson Sánchez.

Portugal came away fortunate after a below-par performance.

What now?

As group leaders with seven points, Colombia will face Ghana, the third-placed team from Group L.

Portugal, meanwhile, who finished on five points, will take on Croatia — the runners-up in that same group. 

It will be a clash between CR7 and Modric, two Real Madrid legends. 

In the group’s other match, the Democratic Republic of the Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan (3-1) and secured a place among the eight best third-placed teams.

Securing celebrations upon celebrations with their first-ever trip to the knockout stage. 

They will face England in the round of 32 and confirmed South Korea’s elimination. 

Which means Senegal will face Belgium.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP or licensors