Colombia clinched top spot in Group K and secured a last-32 clash with Ghana after a gripping 0-0 draw against Portugal in Miami.

The South American side created the better chances throughout a fiercely contested match and even saw a stoppage-time goal ruled out, while Portugal held firm to claim the point that confirmed their second-place finish and a knockout tie with Croatia.

Jhon Cordoba had the first major opportunity for Colombia, heading over after Luis Diaz’s shot took a deflection.

At the other end, Joao Felix’s cross just missed connecting with Pedro Neto, but it was Colombia who appeared the more threatening side as Portugal struggled to turn their possession into meaningful chances.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa had to be alert to parry Cordoba’s strike following a quick counterattack, while Ruben Neves cleared a close-range attempt from Jhon Arias after a clever reverse pass from James Rodriguez, who was dictating play with freedom in midfield.

Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the fringes for much of the contest but did test Camilo Vargas with a long-range free-kick, though it caused little trouble for the Colombian keeper.

Vargas later produced an outstanding save to deny Bruno Fernandes from close range after a slip by Jefferson Lerma gifted Portugal a chance.

Neves went close with a shot that flashed wide as Portugal enjoyed their best spell of the first half, which ended in end-to-end fashion. Costa was again called into action, dealing with long-range efforts from Gustavo Puerta and Rodriguez.

The second half began more cautiously, but Joao Felix headed over from a cross supplied by half-time substitute Diogo Dalot and then failed to link up with Ronaldo during a quick break forward.

Lerma forced Costa into another solid save with a powerful shot from distance, and the Portuguese goalkeeper also gathered another attempt from the Crystal Palace midfielder moments later.

Felix found himself in acres of space soon after and slipped a pass through to Ronaldo, who rolled his shot wide of the post but was flagged offside for mistiming his run.

Lerma was replaced on the hour mark by Richard Rios, who nearly made an instant impact by steering Jhon Arias’s cross narrowly wide with his first touch.

James Rodriguez picked out substitute Luis Suarez with a delightful through-ball, but Suarez’s shot was blocked as he checked back to fire. Costa then tipped Arias’s deflected strike out for a corner, and Suarez had a penalty appeal dismissed after he accidentally kicked Nuno Mendes’s leg in the box.

Ruben Dias made a crucial headed clearance from under his own crossbar, and in stoppage time, Davinson Sanchez thought he had snatched victory when he nodded in Juan Fernando Quintero’s cross at the far post. However, celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out by a marginal offside decision, leaving the sides deadlocked at full time.

It was a captivating encounter in Miami that left both teams with plenty to reflect upon as the knockout stage beckons.