Colombia’s 0-0 draw against Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered for more than deciding the status of Group K. Although the result put Colombia on top and into the Round of 32, it also ended the most incredible record in the country’s World Cup history.For the first time since they made their FIFA World Cup debut in Chile in 1962, Colombia played without a goal in football’s biggest competition. In their previous 23 World Cup matches, Los Cafeteros had never finished a game 0-0. This remarkable run ended on June 27, 2026, when Portugal held them scoreless in a thrilling but goalless draw in Miami.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his players into action during the Group K World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Despite the history, Colombia finished unbeaten at the top of Group K with seven points, while Portugal moved ahead with five.
Portugal finally put a stop to the protests that took place in Colombia at the start of the World Cup
Colombia’s World Cup tour will go back more than six years. The South American brand first appeared at the FIFA World Cup in Chile in 1962 and, despite the lack of time, has now taken part in seven tournaments. In all the matches played before the match against Portugal, one score was never achieved.Whether Colombia won, lost or drew, there were always goals.
Colombia starts the eleventh Group K soccer match of the World Cup between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Their previous 23 World Cup matches have produced scores ranging from memorable victories to painful eliminations, but never losing 0-0. The remarkable streak ended against Portugal, making it the first goalless streak in Colombia’s World Cup history.Ironically, it came down to a game that was not fun.
Colombia dominated but Diogo Costa denied time and time again
Although the scoreboard did not change, Colombia were the most dangerous side for a long time at the Miami Stadium.Néstor Lorenzo’s side controlled 55 percent, attempted 26 shots compared to Portugal’s 13 and forced goalkeeper Diogo Costa to make six saves as they pushed all night for victory.The pressure was on early when Jhon Arias tested Costa hard, and Colombia used the ball in dangerous positions, recording 23 touches inside the Portuguese penalty box and reducing their opponents to just nine in the opening stages.James RodrÃguez dictated the tempo, finding space between the lines and making a superb pass in the 62nd minute to free Richard RÃos, whose first effort went wide. Luis DÃaz also regularly caused problems on the left, stretching the Portuguese defense and forcing João Cancelo and then Diogo Dalot into trouble.Portugal, meanwhile, relied heavily on Costa to keep a clean sheet as Cristiano Ronaldo endured a quiet evening after his record-breaking performance against Uzbekistan. The veteran striker found little ground against Davinson Sánchez and Jhon LucumÃ, although he came very close to the Portuguese and punched a bicycle kick that was tightly closed by Santiago Arias.
VAR’s heartbreak couldn’t stop Colombia from finishing first
Colombia thought they had broken Portugal’s resistance to stoppage time. In the second minute of added time, Davinson Sánchez fired a header into the net from the penalty area, sparking wild celebrations around Miami Stadium as players and supporters believed they had secured all three points.Those celebrations were held only for a short time.Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled a no-go, keeping the score at 0-0 and confirming the historic record.The performance was enough to secure first place in Group K. Colombia finished the group stage unbeaten with seven points after opening the tournament with a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan before beating DR Congo 1-0 and playing Portugal. This result has confirmed Portugal’s progress to second place with five points.
James RodrÃguez has reached another memorable event
The evening brought another important moment for Colombian football. Against Portugal, James RodrÃguez made his 11th FIFA World Cup appearance, becoming Colombia’s most capped player in men’s World Cup history. He left Freddy Rincón and Carlos Valderrama, who played 10 World Cup games for the national team.James’ recent display shows why he remains the heartbeat of Colombia’s midfield, directing, creating chances and helping lead his country back into the knockout stages after missing out on the 2022 World Cup.
James Rodriguez (10) of Colombia reacts during the Group K World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Colombia have now progressed past the group stage four times in their seven World Cup appearances, reaching the Round of 16 in 1990 and 2018, reaching the quarter-finals in Brazil in 2014, and now qualifying again for 2026 as Group K winners.Their reward is a Round of 32 meeting with Ghana, while Portugal face Croatia after finishing second in the group.The history books, however, will remember this night for another reason. Sixty-four years after Colombia’s first appearance at the World Cup in Chile, Portugal became the team that ended the tournament’s best record, going 23 games without a single goal while doing little to curtail what has already been Colombia’s best World Cup campaign.
