Colombia and DR Congo meet in Group K – a clash that could be far more entertaining than many expect.
Colombia will be hoping to secure their place in the World Cup quarter-finals when they face DR Congo in Guadalajara. A 3-1 win over Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca in their first World Cup match since 2018 gave the Colombians a brilliant start to the championship. The goal is at least to match the quarter-final spot from 2014.
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Colombia won their group on their way to the quarter-finals 12 years ago, and with a win tonight they can secure the group victory – if Portugal at the same time does not beat Uzbekistan. However, the first priority is to secure advancement to the knockout stages for the third time in as many World Cup participations.
DR Congo is unlikely to make it easy for them.
The African side, who are participating in the World Cup as DR Congo for the first time – having lost all three group games as Zaire in 1974 – picked up their first-ever point when they held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening match.
Yoane Wissa made history when he scored DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal. His header ensured a shared point haul after Joao Neves had given Portugal the lead.
Although their hopes of advancement rest primarily on the final group match against Uzbekistan, DR Congo’s performance against Portugal has given confidence to believe that they can surprise Colombia as well.
Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo knows that nothing can be taken for granted when they are to secure their place in the last eight.
“Congo plays a lot on transitions, with long balls and quick counter-attacks,” says Lorenzo.
“It will be a very difficult game for us.
Team news for Colombia vs. DR Congo
There are no new injury problems for either team after the first round of matches.
Predicted line-ups
Colombia (4-2-3-1): Vargas – Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica – Rios, Lerma – Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz – Suarez
DR Congo (4-3-3): Mpasi – Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kayembe – Mukau, Moutoussamy, Sadiki – Bongonda, Bakambu, Wissa
Key figures for Colombia vs. DR Congo
- This will be the first meeting between Colombia and DR Congo.
- Colombia have won six of their last seven group games, with 17 goals scored and only five conceded.
- Colombia have scored in each of their last ten World Cup matches – the longest active streak in the tournament alongside Argentina.
- Colombia lost their first World Cup match against African opposition – 2-1 to Cameroon in the last eight in 1990 – but have since won each of their last three matches against such opponents.
- DR Congo lost their only match against CONMEBOL opposition – a pre-championship friendly against Chile.
- If Wissa scores again for DR Congo, he will become only the second African player to score in each of his first two World Cup matches – after Mohamed Salah for Egypt in 2018.
Prediction for Colombia vs. DR Congo
Although Colombia arranged the job against Uzbekistan, they showed weaknesses at the back. The vulnerability of the Armed Forces can make this an entertaining affair.
Prediction: Colombia 3-2 DR Congo
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