The match between Colombia and Portugal Saturday night ended in a scoreless draw, but both teams advanced to the Round of 32.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 Thousands of soccer fans packed Houston’s FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown on Saturday night, filling the venue to capacity well before kickoff for one of the most anticipated World Cup group stage matches.<\/p>\n
Colombia and Portugal played to a scoreless draw, the final score being 0-0. But the result sent both teams through to the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n
The festival grounds reached capacity, which is 7,500 people, about an hour and a half before the match began, with fans of both countries creating one of the largest crowds the venue has seen since opening.<\/p>\n
Late in the match, Colombia supporters erupted in excitement after the ball found the back of the net, only to see the goal waved off for an offside call. Despite the disappointment, fans kept the celebration going.<\/p>\n
“It was incredible. That was not offside. I think that was stolen, but that was a nice game,” Colombia resident Alejandro Capata said.<\/p>\n
The main viewing area remained packed throughout the evening as fans cheered, chanted and celebrated together. Several fans were even seen throwing each other into the air for fun during the match.<\/p>\n
With both teams advancing, attention has already shifted to the knockout stage.<\/p>\n
“We won the group. We got to play Ghana. We are positive that we are actually going to make it through the Round of 16,” Colombia fan and Houston resident Juan David Geraldo said.<\/p>\n
Portugal also secured its place in the knockout rounds, and supporters said they are hoping for a stronger performance in the next match \u2013 especially from star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n
“I hope they win next game. Cristiana Ronaldo hat trick, hopefully. I\u2019m going to put it on a parlay. Hopefully soon. It\u2019s going to hit!” Portugal fan and Houston resident Brandon Martinez said.<\/p>\n
Fans also celebrated another result Saturday night, as DR Congo defeated Uzbekistan to secure a spot in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n
With both Colombia and Portugal still alive in the tournament, organizers said they are expecting more large crowds at Houston’s FIFA Fan Festival as the knockout rounds begin.<\/p>\n