STORY: Colombia fans erupted in celebration outside Miami Stadium on Saturday (June 27) after a breathless 0-0 draw with Portugal sent both teams through to the last 32 of the World Cup, with the South Americans advancing as Group K winners.

“It was amazing,” Colombia fan Yara Bacca said after the final whistle. “We were so thrilled about this game... But we were expecting a goal, and nothing happened.”

A wall of yellow-clad supporters chanted “Colombia” as they spilled out of the stadium, celebrating a result that sent their team to Kansas City to face Ghana on Friday (July 3).

Colombia will rue their profligacy in front of goal, but fans took encouragement from a performance in which they largely contained Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who was booed whenever he touched the ball and had little sight of goal.

“Fantastic performance,” Colombia fan Chris Bejarano said. “Portugal’s goalie gave a pretty good fight, a very good fight. But it’s all right. Colombia played as a team, and I think that’s what matters. So we’re very excited.”

Some Colombia supporters believed their side deserved more than a point.

“Excellent, excellent, we were about to win,” said Juan Carlos Garcia. “We couldn’t win because we didn’t have aim.”

Fabian Hillera was more blunt, saying: “Colombia should have won. That goal was not offside.”

Portugal, who needed victory to top the group, finished second and will travel to Toronto to face Croatia on Thursday (July 2) with questions still lingering over whether they can turn their individual talent into a cohesive team.

Ronaldo’s only shot on target was a long-range free kick that went straight at the goalkeeper, and several Portugal fans were more concerned by the team’s overall display.

“I think Portugal was much less combative than it should have been,” said Rodrigo Storti. “It was a bit disappointing... after this match, I think that one can be more pessimistic about it. But let’s see and hope for the best.”

Leandro Almeida said Portugal had fallen below expectations.

“I think Portugal was too slow. Portugal should do much better,” he said. “Colombia played better. They deserve to win, in my opinion.”

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF COLOMBIA FANS CELEBRATING GROUP STAGE WIN/CHANTING “COLOMBIA”

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COLOMBIA FAN, YARA BACCA, SAYING:

“It was amazing. It was amazing. It was what we ever expected about like Colombia playing with Portugal. We were so, we were so, like, thrilled about this game, and it was all over about the both teams playing their best for winning the game. But we were expecting a goal, and nothing happened.”

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COLOMBIA FAN, VERONICA MARTINEZ, SAYING:

“It was perfect, but Colombia is the bestest upon the restest.

UNIDENTIFIED FRIEND: "And Luis Diaz. Woohoo!"

MARTINEZ: "He's the best. Best than Cristiano (Ronaldo).”

4. VARIOUS OF COLOMBIA FANS CELEBRATING GROUP STAGE WIN/CHANTING (English): “COLOMBIA!”

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COLOMBIA FAN, CHRIS BEJARANO, SAYING:

“Fantastic performance. I think Portugal's goalie gave a pretty, pretty good fight, a very good fight. But it's all right, you know. They played as a team. Colombia played as a team, and I think that's what matters. So we're very excited.”

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIA FAN, JUAN CARLOS GARCIA, SAYING:

“Excellent, excellent, we were about to win. We couldn’t win because we didn’t have aim. We are going to go from the round of the 16 to the quarter-final."

7 . (SOUNDBITE) (English) COLOMBIA FAN, FABIAN HILLERA, SAYING:

“It was a great match. The referee was from Portugal. Colombia should have won. That goal was not offside.”

8. VARIOUS OF FANS LEAVING

9. VARIOUS OF PORTUGAL FANS CHEERING

10. COLOMBIA FAN AND PORTUGAL FAN HOLDING WORLD CUP TROPHY PLACARDS

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PORTUGAL FAN, RODRIGO STORTI, SAYING:

“I think Portugal was much less combative than it should. And it seemed to some extent that they had the tie in their favour. It was a bit disappointing. I thought that earlier, before this group phase, that Portugal was much more contending for the title. But after this match, I think that one can be more pessimistic about it. But let's see and hope for the best.”

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PORTUGAL FAN, LEANDRO ALMEIDA, SAYING:

“I think Portugal was too slow. Portugal should do much better. Colombia played better. They deserve to win, in my opinion. Unfortunately, Portugal did not match what they should have, you know. So they are below standards. I'm still hopeful. You know, I love Portugal. But unfortunately, they did not show anything. They should show much more.”

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PORTUGAL FAN, HOPPY, SAYING:

“The atmosphere was good. No goals, no good. Portugal is not playing for Ronaldo. They need to play, put him in the box. It's magic. Anything that happens when he's in the box, you know? They're not playing for Ronaldo. Come on, Siuuu, Siuuu. Argentina plays for Messi. Portugal plays for Ronaldo. Come on.”

14. VARIOUS OF PORTUGAL FANS CHEERING

15. PORTUGAL FAN PATRICIA DUQUE POSING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA

16. FANS LEAVING

17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PORTUGAL FAN, PATRICIA DUQUE, SAYING:

“Well, Colombia was attacking too much and covering Ronaldo, so he didn't have much time to play, but it was great.”

18. PORTUGAL FAN WEARING RONALDO JERSEY LEAVING