FIFA WORLD CUP
2 min read
Colombia win World Cup Group K after draw with Portugal, DRC beat Uzbekistan to move to last 32
In the Round of 32, Colombia will face Ghana, Portugal will face Croatia, and DRC will face England.
Colombia win World Cup Group K after draw with Portugal, DRC beat Uzbekistan to move to last 32
Both squads had already secured spots in the knockout stage before the match, needing only to learn their opponents for the next round. / Reuters

Colombia finished the World Cup's opening round as the Group K winner after playing Portugal to a scoreless draw.

Both squads had already secured spots in the knockout stage before the match, needing only to learn their opponents for the next round.

Colombia will play Ghana, which lost 2-1 to Croatia earlier Saturday. Portugal, which entered the expanded 48-team tournament as a favourite, will face Croatia as the Group K runner-up.

Both squads put forth lively efforts. Bruno Fernandez came close to putting Portugal ahead in the first half, but was denied by Camilo Vargas. Portugal's Diogo Costo had six saves, more than in the team's first two matches combined.

RelatedTRT World - England, Croatia advance to World Cup knockout stage with wins over Panama, Ghana

DRC vs Uzbekistan

Meanwhile, Yoane Wissa netted twice as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage with a comeback 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in Group K, to set up a round of 32 meeting with England.

DRC, making their World Cup return after a 52-year absence, came into the final round of the group stage knowing a win would see them advance, but looked in trouble when Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov put his side ahead in the 10th minute.

The African side appeared to suffer from the pressure of expectation, but were given a lifeline when Wissa converted a penalty midway through the second half. Substitute Fiston Mayele netted 12 minutes from time with a deft flick which beat the keeper before Wissa wrapped up the win in style in added time.

The Congolese, who finished on four points, claimed one of the eight best third-place spots and will return to Atlanta on Wednesday to face the Group L winners. Uzbekistan exited the tournament without earning a point on their World Cup debut.

SOURCE:TRT World & Agencies