Colombia’s Daniel Munoz celebrates scoring their first purpose with Luis Diaz and Davinson Sanchez towards DR Congo throughout FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Ok conflict at Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico, June 23, 2026. — ReutersÂ
Colombia lastly broke down a cussed DR Congo aspect on Tuesday to safe a 1-0 win that assured their place within the World Cup knockout rounds.
Victory in Guadalajara, courtesy of a 76th-minute purpose from Daniel Munoz, took them prime of Group Ok with six factors — two away from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal with one recreation to go within the first spherical.
Portugal, held 1-1 by DR Congo of their opening match, earlier hammered Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston, with Ronaldo scoring twice.
Colombian followers turned the Mexican stadium right into a sea of yellow, vastly outnumbering supporters of the African nation.
The South Individuals, who beat Uzbekistan 3-1 of their event opener, dominated the early phases, peppering Lionel Mpasi’s purpose.
Munoz squandered an early likelihood and shortly afterwards had a purpose dominated out for offside whereas James Rodriguez unleashed a stinging shot that was brilliantly saved as Colombia stored probing.
Mpasi made additional sharp stops from Johan Mojica and Luis Diaz because the Colombians, enjoying with tempo and invention, continued to dominate.
However their depth dipped after the primary drinks break, permitting DR Congo to edge again into the competition and pose their very own occasional risk.
Mpasi made one other beautiful save together with his leg from Diaz within the fiftieth minute to maintain the sport goalless.
DR Congo briefly threatened however Crystal Palace defender Munoz made up for his first-half miss when his shot was deflected previous a wrong-footed Mpasi.
The African workforce didn’t surrender and because the clock ticked previous 90 minutes Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was pressured to scramble to his left to show a fierce Nathanael Mbuku shot behind.
Colombia, who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will face Portugal in Miami on Saturday, whereas DR Congo tackle Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
The Africans nonetheless have an outdoor likelihood of reaching the final 32 of their first look on the World Cup since 1974, when the nation was generally known as Zaire.
