SOCCER: Colombia qualify with DR Congo win as Lorenzo praises attacking variety

Colombia national football team head coach Néstor Lorenzo praised his team’s composure and attacking flexibility after a narrow 1-0 victory over DR Congo national football team on Tuesday in Guadalajara, a result that secured Colombia’s place in the Round of 32 with a match to spare.

Colombia, who opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, moved to six points from two matches after breaking down a well-organized DR Congo side. Lorenzo said his players continued to grow in performance despite the intensity and pressure of a tightly contested match.

According to Lorenzo, Colombia had to switch between different attacking channels to create space against DR Congo’s compact defensive structure. He emphasized the importance of patience and tactical discipline in unlocking the opposition.

The coach also praised James Rodríguez and Luis Suárez, noting that both players gave maximum effort in a demanding match before being substituted to inject fresh energy into the team. He added that Juan Fernando Quintero’s second-half introduction improved Colombia’s precision in the final third and helped maintain attacking momentum.

Looking ahead, Colombia will face Portugal national football team in their final group match. Lorenzo described Portugal as “a huge team” and one of the main contenders for the World Cup title, stressing the need for full defensive awareness.

He cautioned that Colombia must not focus solely on Cristiano Ronaldo, saying, “You have to be very careful and not leave him alone in different situations, especially whenever he is close to the goal area. But Portugal is a complete team. You should not only point out Cristiano.”

Lorenzo also expressed gratitude for the strong support from Colombian fans in Mexico, saying the players were inspired by the sea of yellow shirts filling the stadium and driving the team forward throughout the match. -Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Christopher Cushing/Reuters