Colombia — DR Congo

Guadalajara held its breath — and the Estadio Akron delivered exactly the kind of match that makes group stages so maddening. A scoreline that feels comfortable, while the xG whispers a more complicated truth. The paradox is real. Colombia dominated: 64% possession, 20 shots, nine on target, 88% pass accuracy, xG 1.03. More than enough to win. And yet they wasted both big chances. Both. A team this fluent in build-up had no business suffering until the 76th minute. The execution in the final third simply did not match the elegance of everything before it. James Rodríguez was the first-half engine — pulling strings, finding pockets where others see walls. But he sat at the centre of the evening's most debated moment: a VAR review involving him right on the stroke of half-time. Referee Maurizio Mariani consulted the monitor, the decision went against Colombia. Was it correct? Every pundit in the room will disagree. What's certain is it rattled the mood, and at minute 58 James was withdrawn — the question of whether that was cause or consequence will fuel debate long after tonight. DR Congo deserve genuine credit, and that's not a consolation remark. Eight saves. Eight. Their xG of 0.39 and zero big chances confirm Colombia's dominance, but a goalkeeper making eight saves is a team that refused to fold. Their defensive discipline was real. The problem was structural — 75% pass accuracy, 36% possession, no cutting edge — meaning their resistance was always borrowed time. The goal came from Daniel Muñoz, the right back, in the 76th minute. Rating 8.19, best on the pitch. When the designated creators go quiet, a fullback steps up. Davinson Sánchez (7.93) was imperious behind him — Colombia's defensive solidity went unnoticed precisely because DR Congo barely threatened, but clean sheets don't happen by accident. Relief more than joy at the final whistle. A win the xG supports, earned by a right back, on a night when the magicians misfired. On FootLegion, your country's goals live forever — no VAR can take them away. Should James have been protected longer, or was the double substitution at 58 minutes the right call? And can DR Congo find any attacking identity before their next group match?