Colombia robbed of goal after VAR rules Davinson Sanchez’s toe offside
It was the right call, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying.
Colombia and Portugal lit up Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday, June 27. The Group K finale ended in a scoreless draw, but the final score is deceiving. Colombia and Portugal combined for 37 total shots, with Colombia accounting for 24, and Los Cafeteros had so many painfully close chances to put Portugal away.
In the final minutes, Juan Quintero sent in a beautiful cross to the back post, where Davinson Sánchez headed it in for a Colombian goal:
The eruption of celebration was cut short by the offside flag going up, and VAR later confirming that Sánchez was offside by a literal toe:
Colombian disappointment was assuaged by the fact that their 0-0 draw with Portugal was enough to win them Group K, so Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo was in a joking mood afterward.
“Next time, I’ll tell him to get a pedicure,” Lorenzo said, per Franco Panizo.
Colombia went undefeated in the group stage — beating Uzbekistan 3-1 and Congo DR 1-0 before drawing with Portugal. Los Cafeteros looked the superior side for most, if not all, of their matchup with Portugal. Potential knockout stage opponents should beware of captain James Rodriguez and company.
As the group winner, Colombia earned a Round-of-32 date with Ghana at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, July 3. As the group runners-up, Portugal will face Croatia at BMO Field in Toronto on Thursday, July 2. See the full World Cup bracket here.
