Colombia clinched their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 after grinding out a win over Congo DR at Guadalajara Stadium.
Congo DR's Edo Kayembe tested the waters with a long-range effort that sailed wide, but the rest of an electric first half largely belonged to Colombia.
Lionel Mpasi denied Jhon Arias, with Daniel Munoz sending the follow-up into the side netting. Munoz then saw a header saved before bundling in the rebound, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Colombia continued to press as Mpasi saved from James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and Gustavo Puerta. Congo DR finally threatened late in the half, but Arthur Masuaku's raking cross narrowly evaded the head of Yoane Wissa, who was inches away from adding to his equalising goal against Portugal on Matchday 1.
Mpasi was at it again after the restart, making himself big to thwart Diaz at close quarters. The rebound fell to Arias, but his shot through a crowded penalty area went wide.
Colombia's frustrations were beginning to show when Munoz broke Mpasi's stubborn resistance, scoring with a deflected strike after intelligent hold-up play from substitute Jhon Cordoba.
Diaz had two goals chalked off for offside as Colombia withstood a late wave of Congo DR pressure to seal a top-two spot in Group K ahead of their meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
Congo DR, meanwhile, could still advance if they beat Uzbekistan and results elsewhere go their way.
Daniel Munoz has scored in successive World Cup 2026 games.
“I want to thank the team for all their effort. Against teams like this, you have to find the spaces between the lines; if you stick too rigidly to a set play, they’ll counter-attack by exploiting those spaces. We’re very happy - we’re a team that takes the initiative, and we never give up on that approach. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us.” Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia coach "We played with intensity and aggression, and we stuck to our style. This achievement belongs to the entire team; we earned these three points as a team and for all the fans who came out to support us. This victory gives us a morale boost. We don’t want to settle for this" Daniel Munoz, Colombia scorer
Sources: FIFA Official
