World Cup 2026 Colombia Beat DR Congo to Reach the Last 32

COLOMBIA · WORLD CUP

Colombia did not make it easy, but they made it count. A second-half strike from Daniel Munoz beat a stubborn DR Congo and carried Colombia into the World Cup knockout rounds.

World Cup 2026 Colombia grind past DR Congo

Colombia beat DR Congo one-nil at Guadalajara Stadium on Tuesday night. The win sent Nestor Lorenzo’s side through to the last 32 with a game to spare.

Daniel Munoz settled a tight contest in the seventy-sixth minute. His deflected finish broke the resistance of a Congolese side that had defended for its life.

It was a second win from two for Colombia in Group K. They had opened with a three-one victory over Uzbekistan earlier in the week.

For DR Congo, defeat was harsh on a goalkeeper who had kept them in the game. Lionel Mpasi produced a string of fine saves before he was finally beaten.

How the match unfolded

An electric first half belonged largely to Colombia, who poured forward in waves. Mpasi denied Jhon Arias, with Munoz turning the follow-up into the side netting.

Munoz then saw a header saved before bundling in a rebound, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Congo offered little going forward beyond an early Edo Kayembe effort that drifted wide.

Their best moment came late in the half, when Arthur Masuaku’s raking cross just evaded Yoane Wissa. The forward had scored against Portugal on the opening matchday and was inches from another.

Mpasi kept Congo level after the break, making himself big to thwart Luis Diaz at close range. The breakthrough finally arrived when Munoz converted after clever hold-up play by substitute Jhon Cordoba.

Diaz had two goals chalked off for offside as Colombia saw out a nervy finish. The official result and statistics are confirmed on FIFA’s match centre, which logged the win as a one-nil Group K result.

The number that puts Colombia in control

With six points from two games, Colombia sit top of Group K. By The Rio Times’ calculation, they can no longer finish lower than second.

Here is the maths. DR Congo, on one point, can reach at most four; Uzbekistan, with none, can climb only to three.

Neither can overtake Colombia’s six, so a top-two place and a spot in the last 32 are already guaranteed. The only question left is whether Colombia finish first or second.

FIFA also noted that Munoz has now scored in successive World Cup 2026 games. The full-back has quietly become Colombia’s most reliable source of goals at this tournament.

A return to the knockout rounds

Reaching the last 32 marks Colombia’s first World Cup knockout appearance since 2018. They missed the 2022 finals in Qatar altogether.

In Russia they fell to England on penalties in the round of 16. The wait to go further has weighed on a generation that reached the quarter-finals in 2014.

The last 32 is the opening knockout round in this expanded forty-eight-team World Cup. The longer group stage rewards consistency, and Colombia have supplied it.

Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez have anchored an experienced spine. Around them, Lorenzo has built one of the tournament’s most settled teams.

What comes next

Colombia close Group K against Portugal in a meeting of two sides already through. First place, and a potentially kinder last-32 draw, is the prize.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side sit second on four points after thrashing Uzbekistan five-nil. The Rio Times expects Lorenzo to weigh resting key men against the value of topping the group.

DR Congo, meanwhile, are not finished. A win over Uzbekistan, allied to favourable results, could still sneak them through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Both Group K deciders kick off on June 27. For Colombia, the hard part is already done.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score in World Cup 2026 Colombia vs DR Congo?

Colombia won one-nil at Guadalajara Stadium. Daniel Munoz scored the only goal in the seventy-sixth minute.

Has Colombia qualified for the World Cup 2026 knockouts?

Yes. The win secured a top-two finish in Group K and a place in the last 32 with a game to spare.

Who scored for Colombia against DR Congo?

Daniel Munoz, with a deflected second-half strike. It was his second goal in as many games at the tournament.

Can DR Congo still advance?

Yes, but it is difficult. They must beat Uzbekistan in their final game and hope other results fall their way to qualify as a best third-placed side.

Who do Colombia play next at the World Cup 2026?

They face Portugal on June 27 in the final Group K game. The result will decide which side finishes top of the group.