Colombia and Portugal draw in Miami, both advance to Round of 32
Portugal secured a point against Colombia in a FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Miami, ending in a 0-0 draw. This result means both teams will progress to the Round of 32. Despite the draw, Colombia topped Group K, while Portugal finished second. The match saw a strong performance from Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who made several saves to keep his team in the game against a persistent Colombian attack.
The first half of the match was relatively balanced, with Colombia maintaining a slight edge in possession. Bruno Fernandes had Portugal’s best opportunity during this period, but his close-range shot was saved by Camilo Vargas. Early in the second half, a defensive error by Colombia almost led to an opener for Portugal, creating a two-on-one situation for João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Ronaldo was called offside, negating the chance.
Following this, Colombia began to dominate the game, particularly in the second half. They registered 11 shots, with three on target, and frequently threatened Portugal’s goal. James Rodríguez nearly scored with a long-range effort that deflected off a Portugal defender. Diogo Costa was a key figure for Portugal, making six saves throughout the match, including crucial stops against shots from Jefferson Lerma and Jhon Arias.
Colombia’s disallowed goal and late pressure
The intensity of Colombia’s attack culminated in stoppage time when Davinson Sánchez appeared to score with a header past Diogo Costa. The Colombian celebrations were cut short, however, as the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. This narrow decision allowed Portugal to escape with a draw, despite facing significant pressure.
Colombia made several substitutions to bolster their attack, including bringing on Richard Rios for Jefferson Lerma and Luis Suarez for Jhon Cordoba. Later, Daniel Munoz was introduced, who had previously scored in Colombia’s other World Cup matches. Munoz immediately created problems for Portugal, with Luis Suarez nearly converting a chance at the far post. Juan Fernando Quintero, who replaced James Rodriguez, also delivered dangerous crosses into the box.
Portugal, under manager Roberto Martínez, struggled to generate consistent attacking opportunities. Despite having players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Pedro Neto, the team’s attack did not find its rhythm. Martínez made changes at halftime, with Diogo Dalot replacing Joao Cancelo and Joao Neves coming on for Ruben Neves, in an attempt to gain control of the match.
Group K outcome and Round of 32 progression
The draw in Miami meant that Portugal secured a point, ensuring their progression to the Round of 32. However, the performance raised questions for Roberto Martínez, with the team displaying attacking inefficiency and defensive vulnerabilities. The result also meant Colombia topped Group K. The simultaneous match saw DR Congo’s victory over Uzbekistan, which ensured all three sides from Group K advanced to the next stage of the tournament.
The match was one of the most expensive of the group stage, with reports indicating ticket prices reaching around $2,600 on second-hand markets. Despite the high cost, Portugal fans witnessed a match where their team was fortunate to secure a draw. Diogo Costa’s goalkeeping was a standout feature, preventing Colombia from finding a breakthrough on multiple occasions. The match concluded with Portugal surviving a late scare from Davinson Sánchez’s disallowed goal, maintaining the 0-0 scoreline.
The final whistle confirmed the 0-0 draw in Miami on June 28, 2026.
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Source: goal.com
