Colombia secured prime spot in Group Ok after an entertaining 0-0 draw in opposition to Portugal of their closing group recreation, as Roberto Martinez’s aspect end as runners-up.
The South Individuals knew some extent could be sufficient to ship them by means of in first, establishing a spherical of 32 tie in opposition to Ghana in Kansas Metropolis on Saturday July 4. They are going to face former boss Carlos Queiroz, who had a disastrous spell in cost between 2019 and 2020.
Portugal – who needed to win to earn first place – will face Croatia in Toronto on Friday July 3 and will probably face Spain within the final 16.
Colombia might have secured all three factors as Davinson Sanchez’s late objective was dominated out for offside on-field. VAR checked it and concurred, with replays exhibiting his toe was in an offside place.
Portugal might even have nicked it on the dying, however Rafael Leao poked broad in what would have been a bitter blow for a Colombia aspect who had the higher of the possibilities in an end-to-end recreation in a raucous Miami.
Whereas neither aspect might produce the objective to entertain the plenty – which included movie stars Matt Damon and John Leguizamo – it can go down as the most effective goalless attracts in match historical past, and the primary time Colombia have failed to attain in a World Cup match.
Portugal’s Joao Felix and Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez battle for the ball in Miami
The important thing moments from Miami…
1: OVER! Jhon Cordoba sends a header over the bar inside seconds of the kick off.
22: CLOSE! Ruben Neves clears Jhon Arias’ effort nearly on the road as Colombia go shut once more.
39: SAVE! Vargas makes an excellent save to maintain Fernandes out.
60: OFFSIDE! Cristiano Ronaldo drags his effort broad – however the flag is up.
62: CHANCE! Richard Rios nearly scores with one in all his first touches, however pokes across the publish.
90+1: OFFSIDE! Sanchez fires house on a good angle – however the flag is up. That is quickly confirmed by VAR.
90+3: CLOSE! Leao pokes broad as Portugal go near stealing a victory.
Rodriguez rolls again the years
Colombia’s James Rodriguez confirmed his high quality in opposition to Portugal
Sky Sports activities’ Charlotte Marsh:
“It was at the 2014 World Cup when James Rodriguez announced himself on the world stage. It earned him a move to Real Madrid – where he played with Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he had a friendly chat with as the two came back out at half-time.
“And in contrast to his Portugal counterpart, Rodriguez was influential for his nation within the closing Group Ok recreation.
“It was a reminder of the quality the 34-year-old possesses. His club career over the last few years has consistened of moves to various countries – including a spell at Everton – and he has not played a whole lot of high level football.
“You’ll’ve been fooled for considering in any other case, such was his efficiency in Miami. A number of Colombia’s good attacking play – of which there was lots – got here from his sprayed passes, his imaginative and prescient and skill to seek out his teammates with precision.
“He created a joint-match high five chances, and also topped the charts for passes in the final third (43). He was also second for total duels (7) and possession won (4), showing his contributions across the pitch.
“The love Colombians nonetheless have for Rodriguez is evident. He was given an enormous ovation as he got here off instead.
“His leadership and experience will be crucial as Colombia navigate the knockout rounds. They looked intense and dangerous going forward and will be a match for anyone they meet.”
What the supervisor’s mentioned…
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez: “We gave Colombia the match they wanted. This was a very open match, probably more so than we would have liked.
“We would have liked to win, however now we have to respect Colombia – they are a top-tier staff. This match actually helps us to make changes and alignments, and be higher ready for what now we have to do on this World Cup shifting ahead, which shall be a very totally different match.”
Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo: “Colombia performed a terrific recreation from begin to end. We deserved to win, we created so many possibilities, we lacked ending. I wish to congratulate the boys for the trouble they put in as a result of they had been excellent. Portugal is a superb staff, they’ve a terrific coach, however we had been higher than them.
“Facing an opponent like that, with this style of football, our fans and this heat – it felt like we were in Barranquilla,”
Colombia followers had been out in power in Miami as their staff certified for the spherical of 32
