Portugal ended Colombia’s historic 64-year World Cup streak, which they had fiercely protected since the premier in 1962

Players embrace after the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Colombia’s 0-0 draw against Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered for much more than the Group K standings. While the result secured Colombia first place and a place in the round of 32, it also brought to an end one of the most remarkable statistical runs in a nation’s World Cup history.For the first time since their World Cup debut in Chile in 1962, Colombia played to a goalless draw at soccer’s biggest tournament. In their previous 23 World Cup matches, Los Cafeteros had never finished the match 0-0. That unique run finally came to an end on 27 June 2026 when Portugal held them scoreless in an entertaining but ultimately goalless encounter in Miami.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his players onto the field for the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Despite the historic score, Colombia still finished unbeaten at the top of Group K with seven points, while Portugal advanced as runners-up with five.

Portugal finally stopped the streak that dates back to Colombia’s first World Cup appearance

Colombia’s World Cup journey spans more than six decades. The South American nation first appeared at the FIFA World Cup in Chile in 1962 and, despite a period of absence, have now taken part in seven editions of the tournament. During every game they played before facing Portugal, one stat remained remarkably intact.Whether Colombia won, lost or drew, there were always goals.

Colombia’s starting eleven pose before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Their 23 previous World Cup matches have produced scores ranging from memorable victories to painful eliminations, but there has never been a 0-0 stalemate. That remarkable sequence eventually came to an end against Portugal, making it the first scoreless draw in Colombia’s World Cup history.Ironically, it came in a match that was anything but boring.

Colombia dominated but were repeatedly denied by Diogo Costa

Although the scoreboard never changed, Colombia were the more dangerous side for long stretches at the Miami Stadium.Néstor Lorenzo’s side controlled 55 percent of possession, attempted 26 shots compared to Portugal’s 13 and forced goalkeeper Diogo Costa into six excellent saves as they pushed for the winner all evening.The pressure started early as Jhon Arias tested Costa with a towering effort, and Colombia consistently worked the ball into dangerous areas, taking 23 touches in Portugal’s penalty area and limiting the opposition to just nine in the opening stages.James Rodríguez dictated the tempo, finding space between the lines and producing a superb pass in the 62nd minute to set up Richard Ríos, whose first attempt narrowly missed. Luis Díaz also caused constant problems on the left side, stretching Portugal’s defense and forcing João Cancelo and later Diogo Dalot into difficult situations.Portugal, meanwhile, relied heavily on Costa to keep a clean sheet, while Cristiano Ronaldo endured one of his quieter nights after a record-breaking performance against Uzbekistan. The experienced striker found little space against Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí, although he came closest for Portugal with an acrobatic bicycle kick that was superbly blocked by Santiago Arias.

VAR heartbreak couldn’t stop Colombia finishing first

Colombia thought they had finally broken Portugal’s resistance deep into the stoppage. In the second minute of added time, Davinson Sánchez headed into the net from a set piece, sparking wild celebrations at Miami Stadium as players and fans believed they had secured all three points.These celebrations lasted only moments.After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for marginal offside, keeping it 0-0 and confirming the historic result.The draw was enough to secure top spot in Group K. Colombia finished the group stage unbeaten with seven points after opening the tournament with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, before beating DR Congo 1-0 before drawing with Portugal. The result also saw Portugal move up to five points in second place.

James Rodríguez has reached another historic milestone

The evening also brought another milestone for Colombian football. By taking the field against Portugal, James Rodríguez made his 11th FIFA World Cup appearance and became the most capped Colombian player in men’s World Cup history. He avoided Freddy Rincón and Carlos Valderrama, who each made 10 World Cup appearances for the national team.James’ latest display showed again why he remains the heart of Colombia’s midfield, controlling possession, creating chances and helping lead his country back into the knockout stages after missing out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup.

Colombia’s James Rodriguez (10) reacts during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Colombia have now progressed beyond the group stage four times in their seven World Cup appearances, previously reaching the last eight in 1990 and 2018, reaching their best result in the quarter-finals in Brazil in 2014 and now qualifying again in 2026 as Group K winners.They are rewarded with a round of 32 meeting with Ghana, while Portugal will face Croatia after finishing second in the group.But the record books will remember this night for another reason. Sixty-four years after Colombia first appeared on the World Cup stage in Chile, Portugal finally became the team to end one of the tournament’s most unusual national records, ending a 23-match streak without a single goalless draw while doing little to diminish what had already become one of Colombia’s best World Cup campaigns.