Colombia secured top spot in Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after playing out an entertaining 0-0 draw against Portugal in a fast-paced encounter on Saturday. Both teams advanced to the Round of 32, with Colombia set to face Ghana next Friday, while Portugal will take on Croatia in a blockbuster knockout clash featuring Cristiano Ronaldo against his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.
Colombia were the more threatening side throughout the match and came close to scoring on several occasions.
Jhon Cordoba missed two early opportunities before Jhon Arias was denied by a goal-line clearance after an excellent pass from veteran playmaker James Rodriguez, who delivered another impressive performance in his record 11th World Cup appearance for Colombia.
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerged as his side’s standout performer, producing a string of crucial saves to frustrate the Colombian attack.
Portugal struggled to create clear-cut chances despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose influence on the game remained limited.
The veteran forward’s only notable opportunities included a free-kick comfortably collected by Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas and a late effort that was ruled offside. Vargas also made an outstanding save to deny Bruno Fernandes, while Portugal failed to capitalise on several second-half chances.
Colombia believed they had snatched a deserved winner in the closing minutes when Davinson Sanchez headed home from close range. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside decision, much to the frustration of the Colombian players and supporters.
Despite the disappointment of having a late goal ruled out, Colombia finished at the top of Group K, while Portugal progressed as runners-up, setting up two intriguing Round of 32 fixtures.
Earlier, Cape Verde made history on Sunday night as the first squad to make it to the knockout phase in a World Cup debut in 20 years after winning a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia in their last Group H game.
The match resulted in the tiny island qualifying for the Round of 32, having scored their three points from group-stage draws.
Spain topped Group H with seven points, while Saudi Arabia and Uruguay were out with two points each.
Cape Verde moved on thanks to Uruguay’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the other group game.
Cape Verde (67th on the FIFA rankings list) had already surprised many by keeping the tournament favourites Spain on their toes and forcing them to draw, earlier in the tournament.
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The country off the Atlantic coast of Africa also qualified for the World Cup for the first time, making it the smallest nation to get to the knockout stage in World Cup history.
Their latest game was goalless, but Cape Verde had the more threatening side, and the better chances.
They did have their best chance in the 74th minute when Nuno da Costa sprinted onto a long pass before finding Laros Duarte, who headed a well-weighted shot to be brilliantly saved by the Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais.
Da Costa made a double threat in the second half, but could not convert either attempt.
Saudi Arabia’s one chance before half-time was with Mohamed Kanno’s header which was easily intercepted by Cape Verde keeper Vozinha.
Vozinha saved three goals and helped his team qualify for the knockout stages.
Cape Verde will now play defending champion Argentina in the Round of 32 on Friday.
