35/52nds of the World Cup
Colombia prepared to face Portugal knowing that they had advanced to the Round of 32. The only question for them was if they would finish 1st or 2nd. Portugal entered knowing they needed at least a draw to secure 2nd place, or win and move into 1st. A loss would leave the result of their future to the match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan. A full 90 minutes and a Cristiano Ronaldo who came into form against Uzbekistan both proved to be fruitless. The two sides battle to a scoreless draw. Enough to send Colombia through as the Group Winners to face a yet to be determined 3rd place team. Portugal limp their way into the Round of 32 where they will face tough competition in Croatia.
DR Congo found themselves in 3rd place with 1 point. They were in the precarious position of possibly moving into 2nd place with a victory and a Portugal loss, or crashing out in 4th place with a loss to Uzbekistan. For their opponents, only a victory would give them hope of playing on. Uzbekistan would open scoring with a 10th minute goal by Eldor Shomurodov. They would take that lead into the half, and come out in the 2nd continuing to frustrate the Congolese strikers. The game would change in the 68th minute. Yoana Wisse would be taken down in the box by Abdukodir Khusanov to award DR Congo a penalty attempt. Wissa would step up and shoot the ball to Abduvohid Nematov's left to tie the match. The door would open for DR Congo to capitalize. Fiston Mayele would give the Africans a lead in the 78th minute. Yoana Wissa would pick up a brace having put the nail in Uzbekistan's coffin with a goal in the 1st minute of second half stoppage time. DR Congo advance in their first attempt at the World Cup to face England. Uzbekistan make plans to travel home having fought hard for their nation in its first ever World Cup.
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