Colombia have the chance to become one of the first teams to secure a place in the World Cup knockout rounds when they face DR Congo in Guadalajara on Tuesday.

A hard-earned victory over Uzbekistan gave the South Americans control of Group K after the opening round of matches, while DR Congo announced their return to the global stage by frustrating Portugal and collecting a point few expected them to earn. With qualification now firmly within reach for both nations, this encounter could have a major influence on how the group unfolds.

Analysis

Colombia Have Started Exactly As Planned

Opening matches at major tournaments are rarely straightforward, and Colombia discovered that against an Uzbekistan side determined to make life difficult.

While the final score suggested a comfortable evening, Nestor Lorenzo’s team had to remain patient before eventually pulling clear. The performance underlined one of Colombia’s biggest strengths: they possess attacking quality capable of deciding matches even when opponents are organised and disciplined.

Luis Diaz once again showed why he is regarded as the team’s most dangerous player. His ability to create something from seemingly harmless situations gives Colombia a weapon few teams in the tournament can match.

Yet this side is far from a one-man operation. James Rodriguez may no longer be the player who dazzled at the 2014 World Cup, but his influence remains significant. Around him, Colombia have assembled a balanced squad with technical quality, physical presence and enough experience to handle high-pressure situations.

The challenge now is dealing with a very different type of opponent. Uzbekistan sat deep and looked to survive. DR Congo will arrive with considerably more confidence after proving they belong at this level.

DR Congo Have Already Changed Perceptions

Many expected DR Congo to spend their World Cup return simply trying to avoid heavy defeats. Instead, they left their opening fixture wondering whether they should have beaten Portugal.

That alone tells the story of how impressive Sebastien Desabre’s side were. Conceding early could easily have led to panic against one of Europe’s strongest squads, but the Leopards responded with discipline, composure and increasing belief.

Their equaliser was deserved. More importantly, they continued looking for opportunities rather than settling for a point. That mentality should serve them well heading into a match where expectations remain relatively modest.

Defensively, DR Congo looked compact and difficult to break down. Chancel Mbemba organised the back line effectively, while the midfield worked tirelessly to limit Portugal’s space between the lines.

At the other end, Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu demonstrated enough movement and intelligence to suggest Colombia’s defence will face a far sterner examination than it did against Uzbekistan.

Contrasting Strengths

This feels like a clash between one team that wants to control the game and another that is perfectly comfortable disrupting it.

Colombia will likely enjoy more possession and attempt to dictate the tempo through their midfield. DR Congo are unlikely to be concerned by that scenario. They showed against Portugal that they can remain organised for long periods and strike when opportunities emerge.

That makes patience essential for Colombia. An early goal would transform the contest and force the Africans to take greater risks. If the game remains level deep into the second half, DR Congo’s confidence will continue to grow. The opening stages could therefore prove crucial in determining how adventurous either side becomes.

Verdict

Colombia deserve to be viewed as favourites, but this is unlikely to be the straightforward assignment some may expect. DR Congo produced one of the most impressive performances of the opening round and arrive with every reason to believe they can compete with another highly-ranked opponent. The Leopards have become a difficult team to beat under Desabre, while Colombia possess enough attacking quality to ensure they remain dangerous throughout. A tight contest appears far more likely than a comfortable victory for either side.

Tip

Draw.