Lumumba Vea arrives as Congo DR face Colombia

Colombia up next, Lumumba has landed

Your team plays Colombia Tuesday in Guadalajara, and this one matters. A win keeps the knockout dream alive after that 1–1 draw with Portugal in the opener, the first World Cup point DR Congo have ever taken (2) (3). The squad is level with everyone else in Group K at kickoff. Three points and the group opens wide.

The Portugal point that shook the group

Cristiano Ronaldo scored. Portugal led. Your team did not fold. Yoane Wissa got the equaliser and DR Congo walked away with a 1–1 draw in their first group match (1) (2) (3). That was a week ago and it still sets the tone. Nobody in Group K has separation, Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and your team all started even.

The statue fan is in the building

Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the supporter known as Lumumba Vea, arrived in Guadalajara on Monday after missing the Portugal match (4) (5). He stands motionless in the stands as a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, and he has become one of the faces of this World Cup. He told Mexican media he is here "para reforzar", to reinforce the team (5). His journey was not simple: visa delays kept him away from matchday one.

Fan reactions

The mood is pure joy. Lumumba Vea arriving in Mexico has fans treating it like a team signing, one called him the missing piece, another said he is here to "bless the boys" ahead of Colombia. Read the thread on r/soccer.