Colombia’s Daniel Munoz scores a purpose that was later disallowed. Photograph: REUTERS
MEXICO:
Daniel Munoz fired Colombia into the World Cup Spherical of 32 on Tuesday, sealing a 1-0 win over DR Congo in Group Ok after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to show the match into an evening of frustration.
Munoz struck the winner from the proper facet of the penalty space within the 76th minute, lastly beating Mpasi who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an impressed efficiency.
Colombia, who opened their World Cup marketing campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, commanded possession and created quite a few probabilities.
James Rodriguez, making his tenth World Cup look to equal the Colombian document collectively held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, compelled Mpasi into motion with a robust strike within the eleventh minute.
The goalkeeper stood agency, repelling efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who got here near breaking the impasse within the 18th minute, controlling a chipped move contained in the penalty space, turning well, and firing a shot goalwards, just for Mpasi to avoid wasting along with his foot.
The African facet, buoyed by their opening 1-1 draw with Portugal, threatened sporadically by Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa however lacked a scientific end.
By halftime, Colombia had registered 15 photographs, together with six on track, with 9 of their 10 outfield gamers trying efforts.
Within the stands, DR Congo had assist from Michel NkukaMboladinga, the group’s well-known “residing statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after lacking the opener in opposition to Portugal due to Ebola quarantine necessities.
Colombia resumed on the entrance foot after the break, Diaz forcing one other wonderful save from Mpasi within the 51st minute earlier than Arias dragged the rebound large.
Wissa nearly snatched the lead for DR Congo within the 73rd minute when his shot from Simon Banza’s help was blocked, however Colombia struck shortly after by Munoz.
“Simply as a result of I scored the purpose doesn’t suggest I am the hero. I belong to everybody; we’re all on this collectively. We secured the three factors as a group, as Colombia; right here, we’re one household,” Munoz informed Colombian TV.
Diaz later thought he had doubled the benefit with a end into the highest nook, just for the effort to be dominated out for offside.
“In opposition to a group like that, it’s a must to discover the areas between the strains; in case you play too predictably, they press you and hit you on the counter-attack,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo stated.
Colombia moved to six factors from two matches and assured their progress to the knockout stage forward of their last group sport in opposition to Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.
DR Congo remained on one level and can want a end result in opposition to Uzbekistan to maintain their qualification hopes alive.
