Ghana may have thwarted Portugal last week, but despite a resilient display and some brilliant goalkeeping, the Africans competing in their first World Cup since 1974 could not resist Colombia.

Nobody wants an appointment with the Democratic Republic of Congo right now, and it needed Daniel Munoz, galloping forward from right-back after 76 increasingly frustrating minutes and finally beating Lionel Mpasi, for Colombia to escape unharmed from this stern examination of their patience and creativity.

Following their 1-0 win in Guadalajara, Nestor Lorenzo’s team have secured a place in the last 32, and the only uncertainty is whether they progress as Group K winners or runners-up.

It appeared that the first-minute shot sent screaming past a post by Edo Kayembe, the Congolese midfielder, had tweaked Colombia’s tail when the South Americans spent the next 30 minutes weaving clever, precise patterns that created a string of presentable openings.

Still, while the tournament’s best strikers are seemingly plundering goals at will, this is turning into a World Cup for ageing keepers.

After the 40-year-old Vozinha gained global fame for his significant role in Cabo Verde drawing 0-0 with Spain, and Eloy Room, 37, equalled the World Cup record of 15 saves in a match as Curacao held Ecuador to a stalemate, Mpasi, a sprightly 31 in comparison, repelled a host of Colombia attempts. He did not deserve to finish on the losing side.