Daniel Munoz scored for the second successive game as Colombia booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Crystal Palace full-back finally beat the heroics of Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, leaving the Africans needing a victory against Uzbekistan in their final group game to keep their hopes alive.
Edo Kayembe fired a shot over the bar for DR Congo in the opening minutes, but it was a rare foray as Colombia dominated the opening exchanges with eight shots in the opening 20 minutes.
Mpasi was forced into saves from Jhon Arias, Munoz – who bundled in the rebound, but was flagged offside – James Rodriguez and Gustavo Puerta, with Luis Diaz’s effort deflecting wide after going through the goalkeeper’s legs.
DR Congo, who had left too much room early on, tightened up after the hydration break as the rain began to fall in Guadalajara, Yoane Wissa almost profiting on a loose back pass and coming close to connecting with a teasing cross from Arthur Masuaku.
Mpasi saved again from Diaz to start the second half, but he was finally beaten 14 minutes from time when Munoz’s shot beat him at his near post via a deflection.
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Having waited so long to beat Mpasi, Diaz managed it twice in the next four minutes as the game opened up, only for both to be ruled out – the first for a push on a defender before he lofted the ball over the goalkeeper, the second for offside.
Mpasi was forced into another save from Juan Quintero before his opposite number, Camila Vargas, faced his first shot on target in stoppage time, turning away Nathanael Mbuku’s long-range strike and smothering Chancel Mbemba’s header from a corner.
Munoz, who was named player of the match, said the victory gave Colombia a “morale boost” but they were not settling for that.
“We played with intensity and aggression, and we stuck to our style,” he said. “This achievement belongs to the entire team; we earned these three points as a team and for all the fans who came out to support us.”
DR Congo coach Sebastian Desabre admitted it was “a difficult match” for his team.
“We played against a very good team. They were superior,” he said. “Our players, as usual, fought on the pitch to get a result, but we couldn’t manage.”
