Colombia finished the World Cup group stage as deserved winners of Group K after a 0-0 draw with Portugal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, a result that produced enough drama for a final, although neither team could find the decisive goal.
The defining moment of the night came in the second minute of stoppage time.
Davinson Sanchez headed home from a worked corner, the crowd erupted and then VAR stepped in to declare the centre-back offside by a big finger, a verdict confirmed on the stadium screens to a chorus of disbelief.
Colombia entered the contest in imperious form, needing just one point to clinch top spot after winning their opening two group games.
Portugal, with four points, had to win to overcome their rivals and demanded the type of performance that their quality demands.
The South Americans threatened from the first whistle. Luis DÃaz headed João Cancelo down the left in the first minute, launching a cross that Jhon Córdoba headed home.
Córdoba went close again soon after, shrugging off Bruno Fernandes before forcing a strong one-handed save from Diogo Costa.
Portugal gradually joined the competition. Cristiano Ronaldo sent a free-kick straight to Camilo Vargas, before Fernandes quickly got to his feet and powered an effort that Vargas smothered well, with Ronaldo’s overhead kick blocked in the follow-up.
The 0-0 half-time score barely did the show justice, the combined xG of 1.38 at half-time was the highest recorded in a goalless first half at this tournament.
Both coaches made radical changes at the interval. Portugal replaced João Cancelo and Rúben Neves with Diogo Dalot and João Neves, while Colombia introduced Richard RÃos for Jefferson Lerma and Luis Suárez for Cordova.
RÃos almost made an instant impact, firing wide from distance shortly after coming on, before Renato Veiga produced a crucial block to deny Suarez.
Ronaldo cut a peripheral figure for much of the night.
The 41-year-old managed just three shots and 35 touches over the full 90 minutes, and despite making his 25th World Cup appearance, was unable to add to his two goals against Uzbekistan.
Rafael Leão, brought on in the 70th minute, added more urgency from the Portuguese full-back, and came within inches of securing victory, launching himself from the dead from inside the area.
James RodrÃguez, meanwhile, was the creative heartbeat of Colombia at all times.
The veteran playmaker became the first Colombian to play 11 games at a World Cup and, although he finished the night without a goal or assist, he created a combined five chances for the team and completed a team-high 43 passes in the final third before being withdrawn by Juan Quintero in the 76th minute.
