Colombia completed prime of World Cup Group Ok after enjoying out a highly-entertaining end-to-end 0-0 draw with Portugal on Saturday.
Colombia will really feel arduous performed by however as a marginal offside dominated out a late purpose by Davinson Sanchez.
The Colombians will play Ghana within the final 32 subsequent Friday, whereas runners-up Portugal will see Cristiano Ronaldo face his previous Actual Madrid teammate Croatian icon Luka Modric on Thursday.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo was a peripheral presence within the fast-paced match, outshone by one other former Actual teammate, 34-year-old James Rodriguez.
The sport watched by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and FIFA President Gianni Infantino was performed to the backdrop of a cacophony of noise from Colombian followers.
Colombia ought to have opened the scoring early on however Jhon Cordoba headed over from shut vary after being brilliantly teed up by Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz.
Cordoba went shut once more within the seventeenth minute, displaying some glowing expertise to shrug off a Portuguese defender and unleash a piledriver of a strike.
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa did effectively to beat it away.
Portugal have their talisman within the getting older Ronaldo however Colombia have their very own in Rodriguez.
In his eleventh World Cup look — a document for his nation — the 34-year-old produced a typical piece of magic, a reverse go discovered Jhon Arias, whose goalbound effort was cleared off the road by Ruben Neves.
Ronaldo’s sole contribution was a free-kick which went straight into the arms of Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
The Colombian goalkeeper produced a save of the best order shortly afterwards to disclaim Bruno Fernandes.
Rodriguez was pulling the strings however he had a go himself near the break, his shot was heading in the right direction however Costa gathered it safely.
The second half started on the identical frenetic tempo, Joao Felix ought to have performed higher than sending his header method over the bar from Diogo Dalot’s cross.
Dalot raised his face to the sky in frustration.
Colombia responded with two advantageous makes an attempt at purpose, Costa fisting away Jefferson Lerma’s shot after which Jhon Arias let fly from lengthy vary.
Ronaldo’s blushes had been spared when he shot extensive with simply the goalkeeper to beat, however he was flagged for offside.
Colombia midfielder Richard Rios went shut simply seconds after approaching, maybe caught a bit chilly he wasted a good chance to interrupt the impasse.
Costa was having a cracking recreation, thankfully for his weary defenders who had been being run ragged by the colourful Colombian assault, as he brilliantly denied Jhon Arias.
Rodriguez departed after a advantageous efficiency with quarter-hour remaining however Portugal coach Roberto Martinez most well-liked to switch others similar to Felix and Vitinha whereas holding Ronaldo on regardless of his being largely ineffective.
Costa got here to the rescue once more with the clock ticking down, protruding a leg to clear a harmful cross however the ball fell to Luis Suarez whose bicycle kick went over the bar.
Colombia appeared to have lastly acquired the purpose they deserved when Sanchez headed residence on the again publish — nevertheless it was dominated out for offside, seemingly by a toe, even after a VAR referral.
He wagged his finger in disagreement and the Colombian followers groaned in disappointment however not less than they’d cause to have fun ending prime of the group.
