Colombia secure group win, Portugal runners-up, DR Congo make history

FootballSports
28 Jun 2026 • 9:51 AM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

DPA, founded in 1949, one of the world’s leading independent news agencies

Colombia wasted numerous chances and had to settle for a goalless draw with Portugal on Saturday in the final World Cup group stage match, but the South Americans still advanced to the knock-out stage as Group K winners.

The Colombians will face Ghana in the round of 32, while Portugal, who advanced as runners-up, will face Croatia.

In the other match, the Democratic Republic of Congo made history as they booked a spot in the knock-outs after coming from behind to claim a dramatic 3-1 win against Uzbekistan.

This is the nation's first World Cup participation as DR Congo. In their only previous participation as Zaire in 1974, they lost all three matches and didn't make it past the group stage.

DR Congo now have a big challenge against England, while debutants Uzbekistan are going home.

Eldor Shomurodov looped the ball over Lionel Mpasi to give Uzbekistan the lead in the 10th minute.

DR Congo thought they had levelled in the 17th, but Nathanaël Mbuku's effort was ruled out after video review due to a foul in the play.

They equalized, however, in the 68th. Abdukodir Khusanov downed Yoane Wissa and the referee awarded DR Congo a penalty. Wissa himself took the spot-kick to make it 1-1.

DR Congo needed one more goal to book a spot in the knock-out stage and they delivered it.

Meschack Elia cleared the defenders and fired a shot, but his effort took a deflection. Substitute Fiston Mayele, however, was on the scene to flick the ball into the net in the 78th before the goalkeeper got to it.

Wissa completed his brace in stoppage-time to seal the nation's first-ever qualification to the knock-outs.

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