Colombia clinched the top position in Group K following a 0‑0 draw with Portugal in their concluding group match, while Portugal finished second.
The South Americans knew a single point would secure first place, setting up a Round of 32 tie against Ghana in Kansas City on Saturday, July 4. Their opponent will be former coach Carlos Queiroz, who endured a disastrous tenure from 2019 to 2020.
Portugal, needing a win to claim first place, will take on Croatia in Toronto on Friday, July 3, and may later face Spain in the round of 16.
Colombia could have earned all three points when Davinson Sanchez’s late goal was disallowed for offside; VAR reviewed the incident and confirmed the toe was offside, as shown in the replays.
Portugal also had a chance to win late in the game, but Rafael Leão missed the target, turning what could have been a bitter setback for a Colombia side that dominated the chances in an end‑to‑end contest in a lively Miami.
Although neither team scored, the goalless encounter, attended by celebrities such as Matt Damon and John Leguizamo, ranks among the finest draws in tournament history and marks the first occasion Colombia have failed to score in a World Cup match.
Key Moments from Miami
1: OVER! Jhon Cordoba’s header sailed over the bar within seconds of kickoff.
22: CLOSE! Ruben Neves cleared Jhon Arias’s attempt that was inches from the line, giving Colombia another near‑miss.
39: SAVE! Vargas produced a brilliant save to deny Fernandes.
60: OFFSIDE! Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort went wide, with the offside flag correctly raised.
62: CHANCE! Richard Ríos almost found the net with his first touch, but the ball went just wide of the post.
90+1: OFFSIDE! Sánchez attempted a low‑angle finish, but the offside flag was correctly raised and VAR confirmed the decision.
90+3: CLOSE! Leão missed the target as Portugal narrowly missed a late victory.
What the Result Means
Following the draw, Colombia advanced as Group K winners and will meet Ghana in a Round of 32 tie in Kansas City on Saturday, July 4. Portugal, finishing second, will face Croatia in Toronto on Friday, July 3, with a potential last‑16 encounter against Spain on the horizon.
