Colombia Top Group K as 0–0 Draw Holds Portugal

Colombia finished first in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after drawing 0–0 with Portugal at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on June 27, leaving Néstor Lorenzo's side with seven points and sending Cristiano Ronaldo's team through in second place with five.

The result, confirmed by FIFA's official Match Centre for Match 71, completed a group stage in which Colombia won their first two fixtures and needed only a point against Portugal to claim top spot. They got it, even if the match ended without a goal for the first time in Colombia's 25 World Cup appearances.

A Night of Shots, Saves and One Ruled-Out Header

Colombia dominated the territorial battle across the 90 minutes. The Guardian's live data recorded 24 shots for the Cafeteros against Portugal's 13, with Colombia's expected goals figure standing at 1.63 compared to 0.69 for Roberto Martínez's side, figures attributed to the Guardian's match model, not an official FIFA statistical table.

The clearest moment of the evening came deep into stoppage time. Davinson Sánchez put a header from a short corner into the net, briefly sending a heavily pro-Colombian crowd at Hard Rock Stadium into celebration. A VAR review overturned it: Sánchez was ruled marginally offside, an outcome Outlook India's live report described as "a mere toe," and the match ended goalless.

Portugal's resistance was built largely on Diogo Costa, who produced a series of important saves. Bruno Fernandes went closest for the Portuguese side, forcing Camilo Vargas into a sharp reflex stop.

Roberto Martínez had warned before the match that the heat and the crowd would make Miami a difficult environment. According to Reuters' pre-match report, his staff had held 13 training sessions in the city specifically to prepare for the conditions.

Confirmed Starting Lineups

Colombia (as confirmed by the Guardian's live lineup report): Camilo Vargas, Deiver Machado, Jhon Lucumí, Davinson Sánchez, Santiago Arias, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba, James Rodríguez.

Portugal (as confirmed by Reuters' pre-match lineup report): Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Vitinha, Rúben Neves, João Félix, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The single change from Portugal's previous selection was Rúben Neves coming in for João Neves, the 20-year-old who had started the Uzbekistan rout. On Colombia's side, Jhon Córdoba led the attack in place of Luis Suárez, while Daniel Muñoz, who had scored twice in the group stage against Uzbekistan and DR Congo, began on the bench.

At half time, Roberto Martínez sent on both João Neves and Diogo Dalot, replacing Rúben Neves and João Cancelo. Around the hour mark, Lorenzo brought on Luis Suárez and Richard Ríos for Córdoba and Lerma.

How the Group Finished

Colombia defeated Uzbekistan 3–1 on June 17, Luis Díaz, Daniel Muñoz and substitute Jaminton Campaz scored, then beat DR Congo 1–0 on June 23 through a Muñoz strike in the 76th minute. The draw with Portugal sealed first place. Portugal's path was a 1–1 opening draw with DR Congo, a 5–0 demolition of Uzbekistan in which Ronaldo scored twice and set a new men's record by becoming the first player to score in six World Cup tournaments, and then the stalemate with Colombia.

DR Congo's qualification was confirmed before the final whistle in Miami. The Leopards defeated Uzbekistan 3–1 in Atlanta, coming from behind after Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Yoane Wissa equalised from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, Fiston Mayele put DR Congo ahead with a second goal in the 78th minute, and Wissa completed the win with a third in the first minute of stoppage time. DR Congo finished third on four points and advanced to face England.

Round-of-32 Pairings From Group K

The standings produced three knockout fixtures. Colombia, as group winners, face a best-placed third-party team in Kansas City. Portugal play Croatia, who finished second in Group L after beating Ghana 2–1 on June 27, according to Reuters, that match takes place in Toronto. DR Congo meet England, who won Group L with six points.

For Portugal, facing Croatia is a meeting with a side they know from prior tournament football. The two nations met in the round of 16 at Euro 2016, where Ricardo Quaresma's extra-time header gave Portugal a 1–0 victory in Lens. They have not met at a major tournament since.

Ronaldo, 41 during the tournament, did not score against Colombia. His ten World Cup goals, Portugal's all-time national record, one more than Eusébio's nine, remains his country's benchmark as he enters the round of 32.

Colombia vs Ghana and Portugal vs Croatia: What Is Confirmed

Colombia play in Kansas City, Portugal play Croatia in Toronto. Both fixtures are part of the round of 32, which runs from June 28 to July 3 across North America, per FIFA's published tournament schedule. The winners advance to the round of 16.