Group K · Matchday 2
DR CongovsColombia
2026-06-23·20:00 localPredictions finalised
The forecast
Match-outcome probability
- DR Congo win11.6%
- Draw26.4%
- Colombia win62.0%
A 320-point Elo gap frames this as a significant mismatch, yet the model still gives DR Congo a 6% probability of a result — enough to make this more than a formality.
Why the model says this
Favoring DR Congo
- ·DR Congo has secured four wins in their last six matches across all competitions.
- ·DR Congo exhibits a high reliance on set pieces, generating 93.4 percentile of their expected goals from such situations.
Favoring Colombia
- ·Colombia holds a significant Elo advantage, with a 320-point gap over DR Congo.
- ·Colombia's expected goals (1.91 xG) are substantially higher than DR Congo's (0.6 xG) for this fixture.
- ·Colombia is ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings, indicating a considerable strength difference compared to DR Congo, whose rank is not provided.
- ·The underlying models consistently favour Colombia, with win probabilities ranging from 64.3% (HP model) to 75.3% (Elo model).
What the model can't fully price
- ·The model does not account for the fitness doubt of one player across both squads, as its lineup channel does not contribute to the probabilities.
Form check
DR Congo
SteadyDR Congo enters this match in strong recent form, having secured four wins and one draw in their last six fixtures. This includes a 1-0 victory in a World Cup qualifier and a 2-0 friendly win in March 2026.
4 wins in their last 6 matches
Colombia
DecliningColombia's recent form shows a mixed bag, with three wins, one draw, and two losses in their last six outings. Notably, they suffered consecutive defeats in their most recent friendly matches in March 2026, losing 1-3 and 1-2.
Two consecutive losses in their most recent matches
Analysis
How it plays out
Colombia's pragmatic setup will need to hold shape against DR Congo's direct transition game. The risk for Colombia: getting caught between attacking and defending. Colombia will expect to hold 53% possession. DR Congo need their shape to stay compact without the ball and be clinical when they win it back.
What decides it
DR Congo will concede possession willingly and attack in transition. Their defensive block needs to hold without fouling in dangerous areas. Colombia adjust shape to the opponent. That flexibility is an asset, but it takes longer to settle into a game. The scoring threat is evenly split: Yoane Wissa (7.9%) and James Rodríguez (8.5%).
Off the pitch
DR Congo travel 13,818km, 4x Colombia's journey. Second-half fatigue is a real factor at that differential.
The angle
The model gives DR Congo just 11.6% to win. Every World Cup produces group-stage upsets; the question is whether this fixture is one of them.
▸Goals & scorelines
Likeliest score 0–1 (19.5%) · xG 0.5 - 1.6
Expected goals
Mean of the Dixon-Coles joint goal distribution. Same fit that produces the most-likely-scoreline list below.
Most likely scorelines
- 0–119.5%
- 0–215.8%
- 0–013.4%
- 1–110.3%
- 0–38.3%
From the Dixon-Coles joint Poisson with the low-score correction. Scorelines are listed in probability order; this is a description of the model's distribution, not a recommendation.
Most likely half-time scorelines
- 0–036.1%
- 0–127.7%
- 0–211.1%
- 1–08.3%
- 1–17.2%
Same Dixon-Coles fit as the full-time list above, with rates halved to a 45-minute window and the low-score correction applied to that 1st-half block. The 0-0 row sits higher here than at full-time because fewer minutes have elapsed.
Goal totals
- More than 0.5 goals86.7%
- More than 1.5 goals61.6%
- More than 2.5 goals33.9%
- More than 3.5 goals15.4%
- More than 4.5 goals5.8%
- More than 5.5 goals1.9%
- Both teams score31.1%
Each row is the probability the match finishes with more than the listed number of goals. Both-teams-to-score is the probability each side scores at least once. All values are marginals of the Dixon-Coles joint goal grid that produces the scoreline list above — not market lines or any other operator construct.
Event-typed probabilities
- DR Congo clean sheetOpposing team scores zero20.7%
- Colombia clean sheetOpposing team scores zero61.5%
Derived from the same Dixon-Coles joint distribution as the scoreline list. These are descriptive event probabilities — see CLAUDE.md §3/§4 (formerly COMPLIANCE.md §4.2.7) for the framing the project uses.
Win-margin probability
- DR Congo by 4+<0.1%
- DR Congo by 3+0.3%
- DR Congo by 2+2.3%
- DR Congo by 1+10.5%
- Draw25.7%
- Colombia by 1+63.7%
- Colombia by 2+35.5%
- Colombia by 3+15.3%
- Colombia by 4+5.3%
Each row is the probability the match ends with the listed margin or larger in that direction. Marginal of the Dixon-Coles joint goal grid; the “by 1+” rows plus the draw row sum to 1.
▸How the match unfolds
Over 2.5 goals 33.9% · BTTS 31.1%
Game state through the match
- DR Congo ahead11.1%
- Level24.5%
- Colombia ahead64.3%
Probability of each game state at minutes 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 — derived from two independent thinned-Poisson processes with the Dixon-Coles per-team rates. The three lines always sum to 1 at each minute. The right column shows the state at the match's closing minute.
When the first goal arrives
- 0–1529.0%
- 15–3020.6%
- 30–4514.6%
- 45–6010.4%
- 60–757.4%
- 75–905.2%
- No goal12.8%
Probability the match's first goal arrives in each 15-minute window. Homogeneous Poisson with combined rate λ = λh + λa from the Dixon-Coles fit; the seven rows (six windows + no-goal tail) sum to 1.
Half-time / full-time grid
| HT ↓ / FT → | HDR Congo win | DDraw | AColombia win |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDR Congo ahead | 5.9% | 2.9% | 1.5% |
| DLevel | 4.7% | 18.7% | 20.3% |
| AColombia ahead | 0.4% | 3.0% | 42.5% |
Each cell is P(half-time result, full-time result). All nine cells sum to 1. Derived from a halved-λ Dixon-Coles fit for the first half plus an independent-Poisson second-half convolution.
Comeback probability
- DR Congo trail at HT, avoid defeat at FT3.4%
- Colombia trail at HT, avoid defeat at FT4.4%
Joint probability — P(side trailing at half-time AND avoiding defeat at full-time). NOT conditional on trailing at HT. Derived from the same half-time / full-time decomposition that produces the HT/FT grid above; a tied first half is neither a home nor an away comeback opportunity.
Cards
- Expected yellow cardsMean of the Poisson on total yellow cards.3.45
- Total yellows over 2.567.0%
- Total yellows over 3.545.3%
- Total yellows over 4.526.5%
- Any red cardP(at least one red card in the match).9.5%
Referee not yet assigned. Using the 2026 pool-mean per-match rate as a placeholder; the model picks up the referee's personal rate once the assignment is published. Total yellow cards modelled as a Poisson with mean equal to two team baselines plus the referee's deviation from the pool mean. Reds are modelled the same way, independently. See /docs/methodology/.
▸Teams & players
Top scorer: Wissa (8.7%)
Match detail
DR Congo
Model-rated key players: Yoane Wissa (FW) — P(scores) 8.7%; Cédric Bakambu (FW) — P(scores) 3.1%; Jackson Muleka (FW) — P(scores) 1.8%.
DR Congo under Sébastien Desabre play a counter attacker game with 46% possession. They apply moderate pressing intensity (PPDA 20.9) and move the ball forward quickly at 4.9 passes per attack. They favour high-quality chances (xG/shot 0.200, among the best in the field) and rely heavily on set pieces (20% of their xG).
DR Congo rely on defensive discipline and quick transitions — absorbing pressure and converting turnovers into attacking chances. Concentration and defensive organisation for full 90-minute stretches will determine whether the approach holds against top opposition.
Colombia
Model-rated key players: James Rodríguez (MF) — P(scores) 8.5%; Luis Díaz (FW) — P(scores) 4.8%; Jhon Córdoba (FW) — P(scores) 2.7%.
Colombia under Néstor Lorenzo play a pragmatic game with 53% possession. They apply moderate pressing intensity (PPDA 18.9).
Colombia play a pragmatic, results-oriented game that adapts shape to the opposition. Tactical flexibility is their strength. The risk is inconsistency — without a default identity, a poor result can cascade if the team struggles to find a Plan B.
DR Congo historically converts 20.5% of xG from set-pieces, contributing 0.10 expected set-piece goals in this fixture. Colombia converts 12.4% from set-pieces (0.20 expected). Combined, the model expects 0.30 set-piece goals across the 90 minutes.
- P(DR Congo scores set-piece goal) 9.5%
- P(Colombia scores set-piece goal) 17.8%
- P(set-piece goal in match) 25.6%
Colombia: James Rodríguez on corners (58 corners) (per fbref 2020 21)
If a penalty is awarded to DR Congo, the model gives 73.3% conversion, 71.4% for Colombia.
DR Congo primary PK: Yoane Wissa (4/5 in 2020-21, per fbref 2020 21) · Colombia primary PK: James Rodríguez (2/2 in 2013-14, per fbref 2020 21).
Derived from the model's per-fixture forecast joint and supporting reference data (predicted squads, set-piece xG share, PK posteriors, club minutes). See /docs/methodology/ for the full methodology.
Tactical forecast
- PPDA
- 20.9
- Possession
- 46%
- Directness (yds/pass)
- 7.6
- Long balls/90
- 36
- Set-piece xG
- 20%
- PPDA
- 18.9
- Possession
- 53%
- Directness (yds/pass)
- 6.6
- Long balls/90
- 41
- Set-piece xG
- 12%
Style profile per side from StatsBomb open-data aggregation across recent international tournaments (Euro 2020/2024, Copa America 2024, AFCON 2023, World Cup 2018/2022). The tactical-fingerprint badge maps each team’s observed style vector into one of eight canonical archetypes via a rule-based classifier; teams with fewer than three matches of qualifying coverage carry an “insufficient-data” label rather than being forced into a default. Sides outside the StatsBomb-open corpus use FotMob team match stats from recent qualifiers and friendlies instead (possession and shot volume only), marked as partial coverage. PPDA = passes the side allows per defensive action (lower = more intense press). Formation distributions are not yet produced — that head of the §2.7 classifier is pending its own data pull. See /docs/methodology/.
Squad depth
Most irreplaceable starters
DR Congo
- Meschak EliaAttacking midfieldNo natural backup0.20gap
- Gaël KakutaAttacking midfieldNo natural backup0.16gap
- Yoane WissaStrikerCover: Simon Banza · 0.750.14gap
Colombia
- Luis DíazWingerCover: Jaminton Campaz · 0.630.31gap
- Cucho HernándezStrikerCover: Luis Suárez · 0.570.20gap
- Jhon AriasWingerCover: Jaminton Campaz · 0.630.17gap
Gap = how far a side's rating at the position falls from the starter to his likely in-squad replacement (named under each name). Larger = harder to replace. Descriptive metric, does not feed the published probabilities. Methodology →
Match conditions
High-altitude venue. Guadalajara sits at 1,565 m above sea level — thinner air affects stamina and ball flight.
- AltitudeHigh altitude1,565 m
- Avg temperatureFive-year mean over the tournament window20.2 °C
- Avg humidity76%
- Heat stressShade WBGT ~22.4 °CLow heat stress
- Pitch surfacenatural grass
Natural-grass football stadium.
Heat stress is a shade Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature proxy from the venue's climatology mean temperature and humidity; FIFA mandates cooling breaks at WBGT 32 °C. Evening kickoff (local time). These are long-window averages, not a match-day forecast, and they are not inputs to the forecast.
Top scorers · P(scores in this match)
- Yoane WissaPKFW8.7%
- Cédric BakambuFW3.1%
- Jackson MulekaFW1.8%
- James RodríguezPKMF8.5%
- Luis DíazFW4.8%
- Jhon CórdobaFW2.7%
Per-player scoring rate from Model #5 (`p_score_per_match`). Reflects each player's npxG/90, expected minutes, team xG share, and the average opposing-team defence. See /docs/methodology/.
Recent match form
Last match player ratings
DR Congo
vs England · avg 7.7
Colombia
vs Ghana · avg 7.0
Worked well: Their counter-attacking movements were effective, leading to the opening goal and several other clear-cut chances. The interplay between their attacking players, particularly Luis Suarez, was a key strength.
Struggled: Despite creating many opportunities, their finishing was not always clinical, allowing Ghana's goalkeeper to make several important stops and keeping the scoreline tight.
Player scores from official highlight analysis of each team's most recent match. Observational, not a model input. Methodology →
Video analysis: player performance
Per-player ratings and event breakdowns from official highlights analysis. Tap a player to see their full match timeline.
8Wissa50'–50'Scored the vital equalizing goal for Congo DR with a composed and clinical finish.
1goals▼
Scored the vital equalizing goal for Congo DR with a composed and clinical finish.
Match timeline
8Congo DR GoalkeeperMade several crucial saves in the second half, including from Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes, to secure the draw for Congo DR.
Made several crucial saves in the second half, including from Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes, to secure the draw for Congo DR.
7Bakambu25'–70'Created numerous scoring opportunities and showed good movement, but was ultimately unlucky not to convert.
3shots1on target▼
Created numerous scoring opportunities and showed good movement, but was ultimately unlucky not to convert.
Match timeline
8João NevesScored the opening goal for Portugal with excellent positioning and a well-placed header.
Scored the opening goal for Portugal with excellent positioning and a well-placed header.
7CanceloShowed good attacking intent from left-back, forcing a save from the opposition goalkeeper.
Showed good attacking intent from left-back, forcing a save from the opposition goalkeeper.
7Bruno FernandesUnleashed a powerful shot from distance that tested the goalkeeper, showcasing his offensive threat.
Unleashed a powerful shot from distance that tested the goalkeeper, showcasing his offensive threat.
7Portugal GoalkeeperMade a crucial diving save in the first half to prevent Congo DR from scoring and maintaining Portugal's lead.
Made a crucial diving save in the first half to prevent Congo DR from scoring and maintaining Portugal's lead.
5RonaldoDespite being central to Portugal's attacks, he missed several clear opportunities and had a goal disallowed, impacting the team's ability to win.
Despite being central to Portugal's attacks, he missed several clear opportunities and had a goal disallowed, impacting the team's ability to win.
Match observations
- The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams finding the net and creating numerous opportunities.
- Portugal took an early lead, but Congo DR responded well to equalise in the second half.
- The game featured end-to-end action, with both goalkeepers called upon to make significant stops.
▸Under the hood
Model-by-model comparison
DR Congo vs Colombia
| Model | Weight | Home | Draw | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EloRating-based strength estimate | 32% | 3.9% | 22.0% | 74.1% |
| Dixon-ColesGoal-process model with low-score correction | 63% | 11.0% | 25.8% | 63.2% |
| Hierarchical PoissonBayesian model with confederation pooling | 6% | 11.8% | 25.6% | 62.6% |
| Bayesian stackingLearned-weight combination | — | 3.2% | 22.5% | 74.3% |
| Ensemble (published)Uniform average + isotonic calibration | — | 6.0% | 25.9% | 68.1% |
How each model works
- Elo
- Each team carries a single strength rating updated after every match by a margin-aware K-factor. Match probabilities come from the logistic function of the rating gap. Elo is fast-adapting but coarse — it sees only who won and by how much, not how the goals were scored.
- Dixon-Coles
- A Poisson regression on team-level attack and defence parameters, fitted via maximum likelihood with an exponential time-decay weighting. The Dixon-Coles correction adjusts the four low-score cells (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1) where independent Poisson underestimates dependence. Produces full scoreline distributions, not just H/D/A.
- Hierarchical Poisson
- A Bayesian Poisson model fitted via MCMC (PyMC) with hierarchical priors that pool attack and defence parameters within confederations. Shrinks small-sample teams toward their confederation mean — helpful for nations with few recent competitive fixtures. Slower to fit but better-calibrated on the tails.
- Bayesian stacking
- Optimises simplex weights (w_elo, w_dc, w_hp) to maximise the leave-one-out log-score across a walk-forward backtest (Yao et al. 2018). The result is a weighted average of the three component models' probabilities, then isotonic-calibrated. Adds no extra features — just learns which component to trust more from historical accuracy.
- Ensemble (published)
- Equal-weight average of all three component models, followed by per-class isotonic regression calibration fitted on 24 months of walk-forward out-of-fold predictions. This is the probability published on the site. The uniform mean is deliberately simple — it avoids overfitting to the stacking weights' training window.
Three independent component models feed two combination strategies. The uniform ensemble is the published probability; Bayesian stacking uses learned weights. Amber bars flag >5pp divergence from the published number. Full methodology
Probability decomposition (transparency surface)
- Baseline ensemble — P(DR Congo win)8.8%
- + Lineup contribution0.0pp
- + Style-matchup contribution0.0pp
- Published P(DR Congo win)8.8%
Decomposition of the published P(DR Congo win) into the calibrated- baseline plus contributions from the §2.3 expected-XI lineup delta and the §2.7 style-matchup interaction. The §2.7 roadmap is explicit that style effects are second-order to team strength — single-digit-percentage P(win) shifts on extreme style matchups, near-zero on balanced ones. We surface the decomposition for transparency even when the contributions are small; the baseline carries the prediction. Methodology: /docs/methodology.
For this fixture both contributions round to under 0.05pp — the fitted style-matchup pair effect is in the small-magnitude regime the model expects to dominate.
Head-to-head history
| Date | Competition | Venue | Score | Result | xG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 2026 | FIFA World Cup | NZapopan | 0–1 | L | — |
DR Congo vs Colombia, every senior international meeting in the martj42 results dataset (score from DR Congo's perspective; H/A/N = home/away/neutral).
Latest news & match context
No recent headlines for DR Congo or Colombia.
- Stage:
- Group K · Matchday 2
- Date:
- 23 Jun
DR Congo
DR Congo come in at close to full strength.
Colombia
Colombia come in at close to full strength.
DR Congo and Colombia both come in at close to full strength, so the forecast rests on baseline team strength rather than late team-news swings.
Availability from the predicted squads and injury feed; forecast adjustments from the model's own decomposition. See /docs/methodology/.
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