Colombia is moving on from the group stage to the first knockout round of the 2026 World Cup.
They became the seventh team to earn the advance by winning their first two games, following Mexico, the United States, Germany, France, Norway, and Argentina. That second win was a 1–0 victory against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Guadalajara on June 23.
But for the first 75 minutes, the match looked to be heading to a draw.
Colombia controlled the ball for the majority of the game and consistently got shots off attackers’ boots, including long shots far beyond the penalty box. In all, 20 shots were fired with eight on goal. Colombia’s assault also included five corner kicks and multiple free kicks within range of the net. But Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi stopped all but one of them.
The one and only goal of the match came off the boot of Daniel Muñoz in the 76th minute of play to the delight of a stadium filled with Colombia fans.
Colombia also had three would-be goals reversed. One early in the first half, after referees deemed Muñoz to be offside, and then two late in the second half from Luis Díaz. First, a foul was called against him, and then he was found to be offside.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, meanwhile, would only get seven shots off, requiring goalkeeper Camilo Vargas to make only one save en route to his latest clean sheet match.
The Congolese came into this match having upset Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in their opening match of the tournament, holding the juggernaut team to a 1–1 draw on June 17. They took the pitch after their fellow African team, Ghana, held off England to a 0–0 draw earlier in the day.
Ronaldo would get his first World Cup goal, and Portugal would take home their first win of this World Cup on June 23, beating debutant Uzbekistan 5–0. Ronaldo also became the first player ever to score a goal in six World Cups. However, due to their tie with the Congo, Portugal will have to wait one more game before they can earn their spot in the matches beyond the preliminary round-robin.
That third and final game will be against Colombia at 7:30 p.m. ET on June 27 in Miami. Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will also play at the same time in Atlanta.
Portugal will have to beat Colombia in order to secure their spot.
