Colombia to rotate squad against Portugal in World Cup group finale

Néstor Lorenzo rotated Colombia’s lineup against Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday, leaving Daniel Muñoz, Johan Mojica and Luis Javier Suárez out of the starting XI. The decision was built around fatigue, yellow cards and the pursuit of first place in Group K.

Kickoff was set for 7:30 p.m. in Miami and 6:30 p.m. in Bogotá for the final match of the group stage. Colombia entered the game knowing that a win or draw would keep it atop Group K, while a defeat could hand away the lead. The group winner will face the third-place team from Groups D, E, I, J or L in the next round, while the second-place team in Group K will draw the second-place finisher from Group L.

Lorenzo planned for Portugal as a top-tier opponent since the group draw, and the lineup change reflected that planning. Santiago Arias, Déiver Machado and Jhon Córdoba were set to replace Muñoz, Mojica and Suárez, with Camilo Vargas in goal behind Santiago Arias, Dávinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí and Déiver Machado. Jefferson Lerma and Gustavo Puerta were set in midfield, with Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and Córdoba ahead of them.

Several Colombia players have been carrying heavy minutes, and Lorenzo had flagged the risk of three yellow-card suspensions. Another booking would have ruled those players out of the round of 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup appearance is a record for the striker. Portugal also arrived after overwhelming Armenia 9-1 in the last round of European qualifying.