By Sipho Ndlovu · Football Writer · June 24, 2026Colombia advances in World Cup
Colombia secured a place in the World Cup knockout stage after a 1-0 victory against DR Congo. The decisive goal came from Daniel Munoz in the 76th minute, following a deflected strike that beat DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. This win in Guadalajara propelled Colombia to the top of Group K with six points, establishing a two-point lead over Portugal with one match remaining in the group stage.
The match saw Colombia dominate much of the play, particularly in the early stages. Fans, largely dressed in yellow, created a vibrant atmosphere in the Mexican stadium, significantly outnumbering supporters of the African nation. Colombia had previously defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening tournament fixture, showcasing their strong form.
Despite their dominance, Colombia faced a stubborn DR Congo defence and a resilient performance from Mpasi. Munoz, a wing-back for Crystal Palace, was a constant threat throughout the game. He had an early opportunity within the first four minutes when Jhon Arias’ shot was parried into his path, but his close-range effort went into the side netting. Shortly after, Munoz found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside, a decision described as very tight.
Key moments and missed opportunities
Colombia’s relentless pressure continued for the initial 20 minutes, with Mpasi making several key saves. James Rodriguez unleashed a powerful shot that was brilliantly saved, and Mpasi also made sharp stops against efforts from Johan Mojica and Luis Diaz. The South American side played with pace and invention, maintaining control of the game.
However, Colombia’s intensity appeared to dip after the first drinks break, allowing DR Congo to gain some footing and create occasional threats. In the 50th minute, Mpasi made another notable save with his leg from Diaz, keeping the score level. It seemed for a period that frustration might set in for Colombia, given the number of missed chances.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Juan Fernando Quintero’s clever pass found Munoz. His left-footed shot took a deflection off a defender, wrong-footing Mpasi and finding its way into the net at the near post. This goal was Munoz’s second of the World Cup campaign.
Looking ahead for both teams
Following Munoz’s goal, DR Congo pushed for an equaliser in the latter stages of the match. In the final moments, Colombia’s goalkeeper, Camilo Vargas, was forced to scramble to his left to turn a fierce shot from Nathanael Mbuku behind, securing the victory for Colombia.
With this win, Colombia, who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has now secured their spot in the last 32. They are scheduled to face Portugal in Miami on Saturday. Portugal had earlier defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice, after being held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening match.
DR Congo, currently third in Group K, still has an outside chance of progressing to the knockout rounds. They will need to defeat Uzbekistan in their final group game to keep their hopes alive. This marks DR Congo’s first appearance at the World Cup since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire. Their next match against Uzbekistan will take place in Atlanta.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mexico | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | No Result No Result No Result No Result… |
| 2 South Korea | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | No Result No Result No Result No Result… |
| 3 Czech Republic | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 | No Result No Result No Result No Result… |
| 4 South Africa | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 | No Result No Result No Result No Result… |
The result ensures Colombia progresses to the next stage of the tournament, continuing their campaign after a strong performance in Guadalajara.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
