Experiencing a traffic jam in Mexico can feel like an endless wait, a sentiment Colombia likely shared as they faced the DR Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi. The Le Havre custodian delivered an impressive series of saves, appearing to hold his team to an improbable draw. However, he was eventually bested by a deflected shot that sealed Colombia’s second consecutive victory and guaranteed their advancement to the knockout stage.
Daniel Muñoz, the Crystal Palace right-back, scored the decisive goal, marking his second in as many matches. Cutting in from the right side, he took advantage of a momentary distraction among the DRC defenders who were preoccupied with a penalty appeal. His shot deflected off Steve Kapuadi, misleading Mpasi at his near post. Following this, Mpasi continued to frustrate Colombia’s attack, with the linesman ruling out two spectacular efforts from Luis Díaz. A draw in Colombia’s final group match against Portugal would ensure they top their group and face a third-place team in Kansas City, while the second-place team will go against the runner-up from England’s group in Toronto.
While Colombian supporters dominated the stadium, with over 90% clad in yellow, one fan stood out from the crowd. Michel Kuka Mboladinga, who bears a striking resemblance to Patrice Lumumba, donned vibrant suits in the national colors and remained motionless during the match. Positioned on a stool at the front of the stands with his right arm raised, he had missed DRC’s opening match against Portugal due to visa issues, yet made a grand entrance this time, accompanied by a bodyguard dressed in leopard skin, receiving a warm welcome from Colombian fans outside the stadium.
Similar to their match against Uzbekistan, the yellow-clad supporters had to wait for the first goal, but this time it was not due to a lack of opportunities. Colombia controlled the midfield early on, creating several chances. Mpasi first denied Jhon Arias, and Muñoz’s shot went into the side-netting. The keeper then made a full-stretch save to deflect a shot from James Rodríguez, cleared a long-range attempt from Johan Mojica, and blocked a shot from Díaz. When Muñoz finally managed to bundle the ball into the net, it was after Mpasi’s stunning initial save, although it was later determined that the Crystal Palace defender was narrowly offside. Remarkably, all of this action unfolded within the first 20 minutes.
The hydration break, a common disruptor in many matches, shifted the game’s momentum. Sébastien Desabre, the French coach of the DRC, may resemble a morally dubious solicitor from a TV drama, but his guidance has led the team to their first World Cup appearance in 52 years through skillful strategy rather than questionable means. He made tactical adjustments that solidified their midfield, and suddenly, the path to the goal became less clear for Colombia.
Five minutes into the second half, Mpasi saved DRC once more, blocking a shot from Díaz with his left foot, only for Arías to send the rebound wide. The frustration was palpable as the former Wolves midfielder fell to the ground, head in hands. At 33, Juan Quintero is now seen as a last-resort option; his substitution for Rodríguez just before the hour mark highlighted Colombia’s growing desperation. As earlier matches had shown, breaking through a solid defense is a formidable challenge, but having a skilled playmaker on the bench can prove invaluable.
The DRC’s back five delivered a commendable defensive performance, backed by a midfield trio and supported by Yoane Wissa, who connected with the lone striker. Despite having the first shot of the match, with Edo Kayembe narrowly missing in the opening minute, the DRC’s strategy quickly turned to a defensive one, retreating behind a solid wall.
They very nearly succeeded in holding Colombia at bay. However, the inherent risk of a defensive stance is the potential for a stroke of bad luck, which ultimately befell them. Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital, is known for Muhammad Ali’s famous rope-a-dope against George Foreman, yet this DRC team was merely hanging on; they lacked the capacity to counter against a weary opponent, although Nathanaël Mbuku did manage to force Camilo Vargas into a late save with a long-range shot. Nevertheless, the team’s resilience was commendable, and a victory over Uzbekistan in their next match would almost certainly secure their place in the next round.
This night ultimately belonged to Colombia, whose persistence wore down the DRC’s defenses.
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