Colombia will hope to secure their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup when they face DR Congo in Guadalajara.
A 3-1 win over Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca in their first World Cup game since 2018 saw Colombia make an excellent start to a campaign in which they will hope to at least replicate their run to the quarter-finals in 2014.
Colombia won their group en route to the last eight 12 years ago and they would clinch Group K with victory if Portugal fail to beat Uzbekistan.
But the initial priority will be to secure qualification for the knockouts for the third time in as many tournament appearances.
DR Congo are unlikely to make that an easy feat.
The African side, competing in the World Cup as DR Congo for the first time having lost all three group games as Zaire in 1974, claimed their first ever point as they held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening game.
Yoane Wissa made history by scoring DR Congo’s first World Cup goal, his header earning a share of the spoils after Joao Neves had given Portugal the lead.
While their hopes of progression may primarily rest on their final group game with Uzbekistan, DR Congo’s performance against Portugal will have raised confidence they can get another surprise result versus Colombia.
And Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo knows they can take nothing for granted a they aim to rubber stamp their place in the last 32.
“Congo play more in transition, with long balls and quick breaks,” Lorenzo said. “It’s going to be a very difficult match for us.”
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Team news for Colombia v DR Congo
There are no fresh injury worries for either side following their first-round of fixtures.
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