Colombia are through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 but not without a fight.
In a tense and emotionally charged Group K clash in Guadalajara, the South American side finally broke down a stubborn DR Congo defense to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory. The result sends Colombia into the knockout stages with a perfect six points from two matches and sets up a blockbuster showdown against Portugal for top spot in the group.
On paper, Colombia looked overwhelming favorites. On the pitch, however, they were made to work for every inch.
The match began with Colombia laying siege to the DR Congo goal. Daniel Muñoz should have opened the scoring inside five minutes when he found himself unmarked at the far post, only to rattle the outside of the upright with the goal at his mercy. Moments later, he thought he had redeemed himself by heading home a rebound, but celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
As the first half progressed, Colombia’s stars continued to pile on the pressure. James Rodríguez pulled the strings in midfield, while Jhon Arias and Luis Díaz repeatedly tested DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Yet the African side’s shot-stopper was simply unbeatable.
Mpasi produced save after save, frustrating Colombia’s attackers and ensuring the game remained scoreless at halftime. By the break, Colombia had already registered six shots on target, but the goalkeeper’s heroics kept DR Congo alive.
The second half followed a similar script. Luis Díaz came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock shortly after the restart, only for Mpasi to deny him with another outstanding stop. As frustration began creeping into Colombia’s game, manager Néstor Lorenzo turned to his bench for inspiration.
The substitutions proved decisive.
In the 76th minute, a beautifully worked move finally unlocked the DR Congo defense. Jefferson Lerma held off his marker before finding substitute Juan Fernando Quintero. The veteran playmaker quickly combined with Jhon Córdoba, who slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Daniel Muñoz. This time, there would be no mistake. The defender calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, sending Colombian supporters into celebration.
Even then, the drama wasn’t over.
Deep into stoppage time, DR Congo nearly snatched a stunning equalizer when Nathan Mubuku unleashed a powerful strike from distance. Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, largely untested throughout the match, produced a spectacular save to preserve his side’s lead and secure qualification.
While Muñoz will grab the headlines for scoring the winner, the true standout performer may have been Lionel Mpasi. Despite ending up on the losing side, the DR Congo goalkeeper delivered one of the finest individual goalkeeping displays of the tournament so far.
The victory means Colombia now sit atop Group K with six points and a place in the knockout rounds already secured. Their final group-stage encounter against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal promises to be one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
With confidence growing and momentum building, Colombia’s World Cup journey is only just beginning.
