Portugal end Colombia’s historic 64-year World Cup streak which they have fiercely defended since their 1962 debut | Football News:
Colombia’s 0-0 draw against Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be remembered for more than deciding the standings in Group K. While the result earned Colombia the top spot and a place in the Round of 32, it also ended one of the most remarkable statistical streaks in the country’s World Cup history.For the first time since making their FIFA World Cup debut in Chile in 1962, Colombia played to a goalless draw in football’s biggest tournament. In their last 23 World Cup matches, Los Cafeteros have yet to finish a match 0-0. That remarkable run finally ended on June 27, 2026, when Portugal held them scoreless in an entertaining but ultimately goalless encounter in Miami.
Cristiano Ronaldo (7) of Portugal leads his players onto the field for the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Despite the historic scoreline, Colombia remained unbeaten at the top of Group K with seven points, while Portugal advanced as runners-up with five.
Portugal finally stopped a streak starting at the first World Cup in Colombia
Colombia’s World Cup journey spanned more than six decades. The South American country first appeared in the FIFA World Cup in Chile in 1962 and, despite periods of absence, has now participated in seven editions of the tournament. In every game they played before facing Portugal, one statistic remarkably remained untouched.Whether Colombia win, lose or draw, there are always goals.
Colombia’s starting eleven pose before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Their 23 previous World Cup matches have produced scorelines ranging from memorable victories to painful eliminations, but never a 0-0 stalemate. That remarkable streak finally ended against Portugal, making it the first scoreless draw in Colombia’s World Cup history.Surprisingly, it came in a game that was anything but dull.
Colombia dominated but Diogo Costa repeatedly denied them
Although the scoreboard never changed, Colombia was the more dangerous side for long periods at Miami Stadium.Néstor Lorenzo’s side controlled 55 percent possession, attempted 26 shots compared to Portugal’s 13 and forced goalkeeper Diogo Costa into six incredible saves as they pushed all night for victory.The pressure started early when Jhon Arias tested Costa with a powerful effort, and Colombia regularly worked the ball into dangerous areas, recording 23 touches inside Portugal’s penalty box while limiting their opponents to just nine in the opening period.James Rodríguez dictated the tempo, finding space between the lines and making a brilliant pass in the 62nd minute to release Richard Ríos, whose first-time effort went just wide. Luis Díaz also caused frequent problems down the left, stretching Portugal’s defense and forcing João Cancelo and then Diogo Dalot into difficult situations.Portugal, meanwhile, relied heavily on Costa to preserve a clean sheet while Cristiano Ronaldo endured one of his quieter nights following his record-breaking brace against Uzbekistan. The veteran striker found little space against Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí, although he came closest for Portugal with an acrobatic bicycle kick effort well blocked by Santiago Arias.
Sadly VAR couldn’t prevent Colombia from finishing first
Colombia thought they had finally broken Portugal’s resistance until stoppage time. In the second minute of added time, Davinson Sánchez sent a header into the net from a set-piece, prompting wild celebrations around Miami Stadium as players and supporters believed they had secured all three points.These celebrations only lasted for a short time.After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside, preserving the 0-0 scoreline and confirming the historic result.The tie proved enough to secure first place in Group K. Colombia completed the group stage unbeaten with seven points after opening the tournament with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan before beating DR Congo 1-0 and then drawing with Portugal. The result also confirmed Portugal’s progress to second place by five points.
James Rodríguez has reached another historic milestone
The night also brought an important moment for Colombian football. By joining the field against Portugal, James Rodríguez made his 11th FIFA World Cup appearance, becoming the most capped Colombian player in men’s World Cup history. He left Freddy Rincón and Carlos Valderrama, who each made 10 World Cup appearances for the national team.James’ latest performance showed again why he remains the heartbeat of Colombia’s midfield, controlling possession, creating chances and helping guide his country back to the knockout rounds after missing out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez (10) reacts during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Colombia have now progressed beyond the group stage four times in their seven World Cup appearances, reaching the Round of 16 in 1990 and 2018, making their best finish by reaching the quarter-finals in Brazil in 2014, and now qualifying again in 2026 as Group K winners.Their reward is a Round of 32 meeting with Ghana, while Portugal will face Croatia after finishing second in the group.The record books, however, will remember this night for another reason. Sixty-four years after Colombia first appeared on the World Cup stage in Chile, Portugal finally became the team that ended one of the tournament’s most remarkable national records, finishing 23 games without a goalless draw while doing little to curtail what had already been one of Colombia’s best World Cup campaigns.
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