Daniel Muñoz scored his second goal in as many games to give Colombia a 1-0 victory over DR Congo, sending them into the World Cup knockout stage. The Crystal Palace right-back's deflected shot in the second half broke the resistance of a heroic DR Congo defense led by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made a series of outstanding saves.
Mpasi's heroics keep DR Congo in the game
Mpasi, the Le Havre goalkeeper, produced an outrageous string of saves in the first 20 minutes, denying Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Johan Mojica, and Luis Díaz. Colombia dominated possession and created numerous chances, but the DR Congo defense held firm. The hydration break broke Colombia's momentum, allowing DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre to make tactical adjustments that tightened the midfield.
Muñoz's deflected strike breaks the deadlock
The breakthrough came when Muñoz cut in from the right, with half the DR Congo side seemingly distracted by a penalty appeal. His shot flicked off Steve Kapuadi, wrong-footing Mpasi and going in at the near post. “Our goalkeeper was excellent today,” said Desabre. “But I’m not surprised. He has been playing well for us.”
Colombia dominate but fail to add to lead
After the goal, Colombia continued to press, but Luis Díaz had two finishes ruled out for offside by the linesman. Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo praised his team's performance: “The boys played a brilliant game. We should have scored more. With these teams you have to find the spaces between the lines. If not, if you play in a structured way, they pressure you and hit on the counter.”
DR Congo's defensive defiance nearly pays off
DR Congo defended superbly for the final three quarters of the game, with a back five protected by a midfield three. Sunderland's Noah Sadiki came on at half-time and provided a prodigious engine. They had the first shot of the game, Edo Kayembe flashing a shot just wide in the first minute, but thereafter focused on defending. Nathanaël Mbuku drew a late save from Camilo Vargas with a long-range drive, but Colombia held on.
Group stage implications
A draw in their final game against Portugal will be enough for Colombia to top the group and secure a tie against a best third-place team in Kansas City. Defeat would mean second place and a meeting with the runner-up in England's group in Toronto. DR Congo, meanwhile, face Uzbekistan in their final game, needing a win to have a realistic chance of advancing. “We have played the two favourites in the group, ranked fifth and 13th,” said Desabre. “This is lots of experience we’ve been faced with. We will have to take risks. Our approach will have to be different. A draw will not be enough.”
