Colombia and Portugal play out goalless draw in Miami

Colombia and Portugal played out a goalless draw in their final Group K match at the FIFA World Cup in Miami, with Colombia securing top spot in the group and Portugal advancing as runners-up. The match saw a total of 36 shots on goal, but neither side could find the back of the net.

First half: Chances galore

The tone was set in the very first minute when Luis Diaz's deflected shot was headed just over the bar by Jhon Cordoba. Cordoba had the game's next chance as well, brushing off Bruno Fernandes en route to goal before letting fly, but Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa repelled the shot with a strong right hand.

Colombia continued to probe and came even closer in their next attack. James Rodriguez bought himself a yard on the edge of the area and fed Jhon Arias with a superb reverse ball. The Palmeiras man charged into the area and drilled an effort towards the bottom corner, only for Ruben Neves to clear it from beneath the crossbar.

That chance woke Portugal up and they almost took the lead themselves. Joao Cancelo cut the ball back for Bruno Fernandes who took a touch and rifled towards goal from 12 yards out, but he was denied by a superb save from Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Joao Felix was next to try his luck, getting in behind the Colombian backline and volleying over.

Second half: Colombia dominate but fail to score

Colombia continued to create the lion's share of the chances after the break and ought to have opened the scoring on the stroke of the hour. Santiago Arias was fed down the right and cut the ball back for substitute Richard Rios, and while he got good purchase on the ball, his side-footed effort flew past the near post.

The Arias brothers then combined shortly after. Jhon laid the ball off to Santiago who cut it straight back to the No11 whose deflected effort was tipped wide by Costa. Gustavo Puerta was next to try his luck, firing a powerful long-range effort just past the post from the resulting corner.

Davinson Sanchez thought he had won it for Colombia in added time as he headed home an inch-perfect Juan Quintero cross. The captain's celebrations were cut short, though, by the linesman's flag for offside.

Group standings and next matches

The point ensured Colombia, who defeated Uzbekistan and Congo DR in their first two matches, topped the section with seven points. Portugal advanced as runners-up with five points. Second place ensures Portugal will take on Croatia in Toronto on 3 July. Colombia, meanwhile, have a Kansas City showdown with Ghana to look forward to a day later.

This is Colombia's first goalless draw at the World Cup in what was their 25th match. Diogo Costa was named man of the match for his performance in goal for Portugal.