Anyone familiar with the notorious traffic jams in Mexico can relate to the frustration Colombia experienced as they faced off against DR Congo’s goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi. The Le Havre player delivered an impressive series of saves that nearly secured his team an unexpected point. However, Colombia eventually broke through, thanks to a deflected shot that clinched their second consecutive victory and guaranteed their spot in the knockout stage.
Daniel Muñoz was the hero of the match, scoring his second goal in as many games. The right-back from Crystal Palace skillfully maneuvered in from the right as half of the DRC defenders were preoccupied with a penalty shout near the penalty area. His shot took a deflection off Steve Kapuadi, misleading Mpasi and finding the net at the near post. Following this, Mpasi had to leave it to the linesman, who disallowed two spectacular attempts from Luis Díaz. A draw in Colombia’s final group match against Portugal would secure them the group top position, leading to a matchup against one of the best third-placed teams in Kansas City, while the second-placed team will face the group runner-up from England in Toronto.
While Colombian supporters dominated the crowd with over 90% dressed in yellow, one fan stood out among the rest: Michel Kuka Mboladinga from DR Congo. Known for his resemblance to Patrice Lumumba, Mboladinga wore vibrant suits in national colors and maintained a stoic presence during the match, standing on a stool with his right arm raised. Despite missing DR Congo’s opening game against Portugal in Houston, he arrived accompanied by a bodyguard clad in leopard skin, receiving a warm welcome from Colombian fans in the parking lot.
Similar to their previous game against Uzbekistan, the Colombian supporters had to wait for the breakthrough, but this time it was not due to a lack of opportunities. Dominating possession early on, Colombia seemed destined to score. Mpasi thwarted attempts from Jhon Arias, while Muñoz sent a shot into the side-netting. The keeper then made a full-length dive to deflect a powerful shot from James Rodríguez, as well as blocking a long-range effort from Johan Mojica and another attempt from Díaz. It was only after a spectacular initial save that Muñoz managed to bundle the ball in, though it was later ruled offside—this all unfolded within the first 20 minutes.
However, the hydration break disrupted the flow of the game. French coach Sébastien Desabre, who has skillfully led DR Congo to its first World Cup in 52 years, made tactical adjustments that tightened the midfield, complicating Colombia’s path to goal. Suddenly, the way forward became less clear, similar to the congested roads leading to Estadio Jalisco.
Five minutes into the second half, Mpasi was once again called into action, saving a shot from Díaz with his left foot, only for Arias to miss the rebound. The reaction from the former Wolves midfielder, collapsing to the ground with his head in his hands, illustrated the growing frustration among the Colombian players. At 33, Juan Quintero, now primarily an emergency option, was introduced for Rodríguez just before the hour mark, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Low defensive blocks had posed challenges, as England and Croatia discovered earlier in the day; however, Colombia is not lacking in creativity.
The DR Congo backline proved resilient, skillfully supported by a midfield trio with Yoane Wissa linking up to a solitary forward. Although Colombia could have sealed the game in the opening 20 minutes, they faced less resistance as the match progressed. Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki came on at halftime for Ngal’ayel Mukau, injecting energy into the midfield shield, ensuring DRC would not tire easily. They had even registered the first shot of the match, with Edo Kayembe sending a strike just wide in the opening minute, but soon shifted to a defensive stance.
Ultimately, their strategy almost paid off as they came close to holding on for a draw. However, teams that focus solely on absorbing pressure often invite misfortune. Kinshasa, DRC’s capital, may be remembered for Muhammad Ali’s famous rope-a-dope against George Foreman, but this squad was merely surviving; they lacked the capacity to counterattack against a fatigued opponent, even though Nathanaël Mbuku forced Camilo Vargas to save a long-range effort late in the game. Nevertheless, there was a remarkable sense of pride in their defiance, and a victory over Uzbekistan in their final match could potentially see them advance.
Ultimately, this match highlighted how Colombian persistence eventually triumphed over DR Congo’s determined resistance.
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