Their first World Cup point in fifty-two years, now chasing their first win
In Guadalajara on Tuesday night, Colombia and DR Congo meet at a crossroads of ambition and history — one nation seeking the quiet efficiency of qualification, the other carrying fifty-two years of World Cup absence and a single, hard-earned point that changed everything. DR Congo's 1-1 draw against Portugal last week was not merely a result; it was a reclamation of dignity for a footballing nation that last competed on this stage in 1974. Colombia, favored and formidable, arrives as the obstacle standing between DR Congo and their first-ever World Cup victory — a gap in the record books that has endured through generations.
- DR Congo snapped a 52-year World Cup pointless streak with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Portugal, and now hunger — not relief — is driving them forward.
- Colombia has dismantled every African opponent they've faced at World Cups, winning all three encounters, and arrive in Guadalajara without injury or suspension to cloud their preparation.
- Opta's 25,000 simulations give Colombia a 58% win probability, while DR Congo's chances of victory or draw combined sit at just 21% — the numbers are unambiguous, but DR Congo has already beaten one set of odds.
- DR Congo's disciplined 5-3-2 system under Desabre, anchored by Mbemba and powered by Wissa's aerial threat, offers a structural resistance that could complicate Colombia's path to an easy night.
- For Colombia, this is a chance to seal the round of 32 and rotate; for DR Congo, it is a chance to prove that belonging at this level is not an accident.
DR Congo arrived at this World Cup carrying fifty-two years of futility. The last time they competed globally — in 1974, when the nation was still called Zaire — they left without a single point. That drought ended last week when Yoane Wissa powered a header into the top-left corner to cancel out Joao Neves' early strike against Portugal, earning DR Congo their first-ever World Cup point in a 1-1 draw. It felt like vindication. Now, on Tuesday night in Guadalajara, they face something even more improbable: the chance to win.
Colombia stand in their way, and they are formidable. One win from sealing their round of 32 qualification, they dismantled Uzbekistan 3-1 in their last match, with Luis Diaz scoring and creating and James Rodriguez conducting the midfield with his usual authority. Their record against African opposition at World Cups is perfect — three matches, three wins, against Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia across three different tournaments. Opta's simulations back them heavily at 58% win probability.
Yet DR Congo are not merely here to participate. Under coach Sebastien Desabre, they have built a disciplined 5-3-2 structure that proved difficult to break down against Portugal. Captain Chancel Mbemba anchors the defense, while Wissa and Cedric Bakambu lead the attack. The only concern is Theo Bongonda, who carried an injury into the Portugal match. Colombia, by contrast, arrive in perfect health with no suspensions and an unchanged lineup expected.
The statistics favor Colombia. History favors Colombia. DR Congo have never beaten a South American nation — not Brazil in 1974, not Chile in a pre-tournament warm-up just weeks ago. But they have already defied one set of odds. Whether they can defy another is the question Guadalajara will answer.
DR Congo arrived at this World Cup carrying the weight of fifty-two years of futility. The last time they competed in a global tournament—back in 1974, when the nation was still called Zaire—they left without a single point. That drought ended last week in a 1-1 draw against Portugal, a result that felt like vindication. Joao Neves had put Portugal ahead with a looping header in the sixth minute, but DR Congo clawed back before halftime when Yoane Wissa powered a header into the top-left corner from close range. For the first time in their World Cup history, they had something to show for their effort.
Now, on Tuesday night in Guadalajara, DR Congo faces Colombia with a chance to do something even more improbable: win. It would be their first World Cup victory ever. Colombia, meanwhile, stands one win away from securing their passage to the round of 32. They arrive as heavy favorites, having dismantled Uzbekistan 3-1 in their previous match, with Luis Diaz scoring once and setting up another goal. James Rodriguez orchestrated the midfield with his usual precision. Colombia's recent record against African opposition is flawless—three wins in three World Cup encounters, including victories over Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia across three different tournaments.
DR Congo's path to this moment has been far more complicated. They have never beaten a South American nation. In 1974, they lost 3-0 to Brazil. A friendly in 1968 against the same opponent ended 0-2. Just before this World Cup began, they fell to Chile 2-1 in another warm-up match. The statistical odds reflect Colombia's dominance: according to 25,000 pre-match simulations run by Opta's supercomputer, Colombia carries a 58 percent chance of victory. A DR Congo win or draw sits at just 21 percent combined.
Yet there is something in DR Congo's recent performance that suggests they are not merely here to participate. Under head coach Sebastien Desabre, they have organized themselves into a disciplined 5-3-2 formation that has proven difficult to break down. Captain Chancel Mbemba anchors the defense. Wissa and Cedric Bakambu lead the attack. The team will be without Theo Bongonda, who carried an injury into the Portugal match and remained on the bench. Colombia, by contrast, arrive in perfect health. Coach Nestor Lorenzo has no suspensions or injuries to manage and is expected to field the same starting eleven that defeated Uzbekistan.
The match will be refereed by Maurizio Mariani and kicks off at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday. For Colombia, it is a chance to wrap up their group stage business and rest players ahead of the knockout rounds. For DR Congo, it is something far more significant: a chance to prove that their draw against Portugal was not a fluke, that they belong at this level, that they can finally beat a CONMEBOL opponent. The odds say Colombia will prevail. But DR Congo has already defied one set of odds by earning that first point. Whether they can defy them again remains to be seen.
Notable Quotes
DR Congo showcased excellent resilience in their draw against Portugal and will be looking to clinch all three points against Colombia— Match preview analysis
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does this match matter so much to DR Congo beyond just the three points?
Because they've never won a World Cup match in their history. They've been to one tournament before, in 1974, and left with nothing. That draw against Portugal last week—that was their first point ever. So this isn't just about advancing. It's about breaking a curse that's lasted fifty years.
And Colombia—are they just going through the motions at this point?
Not exactly. They're one win away from clinching their spot in the next round, which matters. But they've also beaten every African team they've faced at the World Cup. They're the favorites here, and they know it. The question is whether they take DR Congo seriously or assume it's already won.
What's the actual weakness in DR Congo's game that Colombia will try to exploit?
They've never beaten a South American team. Ever. Brazil beat them twice. Chile beat them just before this tournament started. So there's a pattern there—they struggle against CONMEBOL sides specifically. Colombia will know that history.
But they nearly beat Portugal, right?
They did more than nearly beat them. They came from behind. Went down early, equalized before halftime. That's not luck. That's character and organization. Their defense is solid, their shape is disciplined. They're not a team that will roll over.
What would a DR Congo win actually mean for the tournament?
It would be historic for them. But it would also shake things up in the group. Colombia would still likely advance, but it wouldn't be clean. And it would announce that DR Congo is a real team, not just a historical footnote. Right now, most people see them as the underdog story. A win makes them a threat.