Colombia secured high spot in Group Ok after an entertaining 0-0 draw towards Portugal of their remaining group recreation, as Roberto Martinez’s aspect end as runners-up.
The South People knew some extent can be sufficient to ship them by in first, establishing a spherical of 32 tie towards Ghana in Kansas Metropolis on Saturday July 4. They may 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 doubtlessly face Spain within the final 16.
Colombia may have secured all three factors as Davinson Sanchez’s late aim was dominated out for offside on-field. VAR checked it and concurred, with replays displaying his toe was in an offside place.
Portugal may even have nicked it on the demise, however Rafael Leao poked large in what would have been a bitter blow for a Colombia aspect who had the higher of the probabilities in an end-to-end recreation in a raucous Miami.
Whereas neither aspect may produce the aim to entertain the plenty – which included movie stars Matt Damon and John Leguizamo – it would go down as probably the greatest goalless attracts in event 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 large – however the flag is up.
62: CHANCE! Richard Rios nearly scores with certainly one of his first touches, however pokes across the submit.
90+1: OFFSIDE! Sanchez fires dwelling on a decent angle – however the flag is up. That is quickly confirmed by VAR.
90+3: CLOSE! Leao pokes large as Portugal go near stealing a victory.
Rodriguez rolls again the years
Colombia’s James Rodriguez confirmed his high quality towards Portugal
Sky Sports activities’ Charlotte Marsh:
“It was on the 2014 World Cup when James Rodriguez introduced himself on the world stage. It earned him a transfer to Actual Madrid – the place he performed with Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he had a pleasant chat with as the 2 got here again out at half-time.
“And in contrast to his Portugal counterpart, Rodriguez was influential for his nation within the remaining Group Ok recreation.
“It was a reminder of the standard the 34-year-old possesses. His membership profession over the previous few years has consistened of strikes to numerous international locations – together with a spell at Everton – and he has not performed an entire lot of excessive stage soccer.
“You’ll’ve been fooled for considering in any other case, such was his efficiency in Miami. Plenty of Colombia’s good attacking play – of which there was loads – got here from his sprayed passes, his imaginative and prescient and talent to search out his teammates with precision.
“He created a joint-match excessive 5 possibilities, and in addition topped the charts for passes within the remaining third (43). He was additionally second for whole duels (7) and possession received (4), displaying his contributions throughout the pitch.
“The love Colombians nonetheless have for Rodriguez is obvious. He was given an enormous ovation as he got here off instead.
“His management and expertise can be essential as Colombia navigate the knockout rounds. They regarded intense and harmful going ahead and can be a match for anybody they meet.”
What the supervisor’s stated…
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez: “We gave Colombia the match they needed. This was a really open match, in all probability extra so than we’d have favored.
“We would have liked to win, however we have now to respect Colombia – they seem to be a top-tier staff. This match actually helps us to make changes and alignments, and be higher ready for what we have now to do on this World Cup shifting ahead, which can be a very completely different event.”
Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo: “Colombia performed a fantastic recreation from begin to end. We deserved to win, we created so many possibilities, we lacked ending. I need to congratulate the boys for the hassle they put in as a result of they have been excellent. Portugal is a good staff, they’ve a fantastic coach, however we have been higher than them.
“Dealing with an opponent like that, with this type of soccer, our followers and this warmth – it felt like we have been in Barranquilla,”
Colombia followers have been out in drive in Miami as their staff certified for the spherical of 32
