Overview
Coach Nestor Lorenzo's Colombian team enters the 2026 World Cup with the opportunity to soon take an advantage in Group K after Portugal was held to a draw by the DRC in the first match.
Los Cafeteros took advantage of that opportunity with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, despite facing many difficulties against the Central Asian representative at the Azteca stadium.
Luis Diaz scored to increase the score to 2-1 in the 65th minute, but Colombia was only truly reassured when Jaminton Campaz sealed the victory in the final minutes of injury time.
This result helps Colombia become the only team in Group K to win all 3 points after the opening match. Another victory against the DRC will help the South American representative soon win a ticket to the 1/16 round.
Having reached the quarterfinals in 2014 and the round of 16 in 2018, Colombia understands that winning the right to advance early will bring a great advantage before the final match.
However, the DRC is certainly not an easy opponent to defeat. Coach Sebastien Desabre's team had an impressive World Cup comeback after 52 years when they drew 1-1 with Portugal.
Despite conceding a goal in the 6th minute after Joao Neves's goal, the African representative still maintained composure and organized the game well.
After conceding an early goal, the DRC only allowed Portugal to create 6 more shots in the remainder of the match, and also launched 8 shots towards the opponent's goal.
Even, Desabre's team could have won all 3 points if they had better utilized the last chances of the match. Cedric Bakambu missed a favorable situation when his shot went over the bar, while Joris Kayembe also could not take advantage of the dangerous cross in Portugal's penalty area.
However, the draw against Portugal still brings many positive signs for the DRC. They are fully capable of competing in the biggest arena in the world and are aiming for their first victory in World Cup history.
The confrontation between Colombia and the DRC promises to be very attractive, as one side wants to soon win a ticket to the next round, while the other is determined to create a historical milestone for national football.
Personnel situation
After using a 4-3-3 formation in the opening match against Uzbekistan, Nestor Lorenzo is likely to make tactical adjustments for the confrontation with the DRC.
The Argentine coach may return to the familiar 4-2-3-1 system, in which James Rodriguez takes on the role of attacking midfielder behind striker Luis Suarez.
In the opposite direction, Sebastien Desabre is facing a choice between maintaining the five-defender system that helped the DRC draw with Portugal or switching to a four-defender formation to strengthen attack.
However, certainty in the defense is likely to still be the top priority of the African representative.
Expected lineup:
Colombia: Vargas, Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica, Rios, Lerma, Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz, Suarez.
DR Congo: Mpasi, Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kayembe, Mukau, Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Bongonda, Bakambu, Wissa.
The match between Colombia and the DRC will take place at 9:00 AM on June 24 (Vietnam time).
