Daniel Munoz shot Colombia in theWorld CupRound of 32 on Tuesday, sealing a 1-0 win over DR Congo in Group K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match into a night of disappointment.
Munoz struck the winner from the right side of the penalty area in the 76th minute, beating Mpasi on the end, who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an inspired performance.
Colombia, who opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, dominated possession and created plenty of chances.
James Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal the Colombian record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, forced Mpas into action with a powerful strike in the 11th minute.
The goalkeeper stood firm, turning away efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute, controlling a broken pass inside the penalty area, turning smartly and firing towards goal, only for Mpasi to save with his foot.
The African side, buoyed by their opening 1-1 draw with Portugal, threatened sporadically through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, but lacked a clinical finish.
By halftime, Colombia had registered 15 shots, including six on goal, with nine of its 10 outfield players attempting the effort.
In the stands, DR Congo were supported by Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the team’s famous “living statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after missing the opening match against Portugal due to Ebola quarantine requirements.
Colombia resumed on the front foot after the break, Diaz forcing another fine save from Mpasi in the 51st minute before Arias dragged the ball wide.
Wissa almost grabbed the lead for DR Congo in the 73rd minute when his shot from Simon Banza’s assist was blocked, but Colombia struck soon after Munoz.
“Just because I scored the goal doesn’t mean I’m the hero. I belong to everyone; we’re all together. We secured the three points as a team, like Colombia; here, we’re a family,” Munoz told Colombian TV.
Diaz later thought he had doubled the lead with a finish into the top corner, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
“Against a team like that, you have to find the spaces between the lines; if you play too predictably, they press you and hit you on the counter-attack,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said.
Colombia moved to six points from two games and guaranteed their progress to the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.
DR Congo were left on one point and will need a result against Uzbekistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.
