TDT | Manama

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Colombia finished top of World Cup Group K after a goalless draw with Portugal on Sunday morning, with both sides already assured of qualification to the knockout stage before kick-off.

The result confirmed the South Americans as group winners, setting up a round-of-32 meeting with Ghana, while Portugal, who finished second, will face Croatia.

Despite the lack of goals, the match was played at a lively tempo.

Bruno Fernandes went close in the first half but was denied by Camilo Vargas, while Diogo Costa produced six saves for Portugal—more than in their previous two group matches combined.

The European side entered the tournament among the favourites but experienced an uneven group stage.

They opened with a surprise 1-1 draw against Congo DR before responding emphatically with a 5–0 win over Uzbekistan, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to become the first player to net in six different World Cups.

Finishing second in the group places Portugal on the opposite side of the bracket to Argentina, meaning a potential Ronaldo–Messi showdown can only occur in the final.

Colombia, meanwhile, built their group success on earlier wins over Uzbekistan and Congo DR, with James Rodríguez marking his 11th World Cup appearance to become the country’s all-time leader in the tournament.

The match, staged at the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, was played in front of a sellout crowd of 64,478, with several high-profile figures in attendance including FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Multiple fan watch parties were also held across South Florida due to high demand for tickets.