Match Preview: Colombia vs Congo DR
Colombia arrive on the front foot after a confident 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, top of Group K and within touching distance of the last 16. Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez are in rhythm, and a victory here would all but seal qualification with a day to spare. The attacking depth and tournament pedigree of the 2014 quarter-finalists make them deserved favorites.
Congo DR, at their first World Cup in 52 years, have already announced themselves by frustrating Portugal to a 1-1 draw. Their defensive shape is organized and genuine, and at 2,240m in Guadalajara the altitude blunts the high-tempo pressing that fuels Colombia's best football. A point would keep their hopes alive into the final day, and they have shown they can absorb pressure and counter.
Expect a contested afternoon rather than a cruise. Colombia's individual quality should find a breakthrough and they remain firm favorites, but Congo DR's resilience means a single-goal margin — and a live late-equalizer scenario — is the calibrated read. Verdict: a 2-1 Colombia win, with the draw very much in play.

