Colombia edge Congo DR to stay perfect with hard-fought World Cup win

Colombia maintained their perfect start to the World Cup with a gritty 1-0 victory over Congo DR in Match Round 2, a result built on dominance in possession and a disciplined defensive display.

• Colombia will play with Portugal. June 27 at 23:30 (GMT), on Hard Rock Stadium.
• Congo DR will play with Uzbekistan. June 27 at 23:30 (GMT), on Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Colombia

• Camilo Andrés Vargas Gil (7.2)
• Daniel Muñoz Mejía (7.9)
• Davinson Sánchez Mina (7.7)
• Jhon Janer Lucumí Bonilla (7.5)
• Johan Andrés Mojica Palacio (7.3)
• Gustavo Adolfo Puerta Molano (6.9)
• Jefferson Andrés Lerma Solís (7.2)
• Jhon Adolfo Arias Andrade (7.3)
• James David Rodríguez Rubio (7)
• Luis Javier Suárez Charris (6.7)
• Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda (6.6)

Congo DR

Substitutions:

Colombia

• Luis Javier Suárez Charris (Jhon Andrés Córdoba Copete, 58)
• James David Rodríguez Rubio (Juan Fernando Quintero Paniagua, 58)
• Jhon Adolfo Arias Andrade (Richard Ríos Montoya, 77)

Congo DR

• Ngalayel Mukau (Noah Junior Sadiki, 46)
• Cédric Bakambu (Simon Bokoté Banza, 57)
• Fuka-Arthur Masuaku Kawela (Joris Kayembe Ditu, 72)
• Edouard Kayembe Kayembe (Charles Monginda Pickel, 72)
• Samuel Moutoussamy (Nathanaël Mbuku, 82)

Ball possession:

Néstor Lorenzo’s side controlled long spells of the contest, enjoying 64% of the ball and out-shooting their opponents by a distance, but were made to work for three points by a stubborn, well-organised Congo DR team who carried just enough threat on the counter to keep the South Americans honest.

Passes:

Colombia’s superiority was clear in the shot count. They produced 20 efforts, with nine on target, and it was the industrious Gustavo Adolfo Puerta Molano who proved the most active in front of goal. Time and again he tested the Congolese back line from the edge of the area and with late runs into the box, underlining Colombia’s intent to keep the pressure on.

Defense:

Congo DR, by contrast, struggled to create sustained danger but still carved out moments of concern for Colombia. They managed eight efforts, only one of which was on target, with captain Chancel Mbemba Mangulu the most reliable source of efforts on goal from set-pieces and second balls around the box.

Face-to-face:

If Colombia’s attacking volume set the tone, it was their control and composure in deeper areas that ultimately ensured the victory. At the heart of it all was Davinson Sánchez Mina, who delivered an almost faultless performance in possession and out of it. The centre-back completed 95% of his passes from a total of 66 – comfortably the highest volume on the pitch – and anchored a back line that repeatedly stepped in to kill Congo DR counters at source.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Jhon Janer Lucumí Bonilla (Colombia) at 56 minute
• Jefferson Andrés Lerma Solís (Colombia) at 90 minute
• Charles Monginda Pickel (Congo DR) at 90 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Colombia –
• Congo DR –

Top 5 World Cup scorers:

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Line-ups:

Next games:

• Colombia will play with Portugal. June 27 at 23:30 (GMT), on Hard Rock Stadium.
• Congo DR will play with Uzbekistan. June 27 at 23:30 (GMT), on Mercedes-Benz Stadium.