Colombia Defeats DR Congo 1-0 in World Cup 2026 Group Stage Opener

Colombia secured a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their Group K match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico on June 23, 2026. Daniel Muñoz scored the decisive goal late in the second half, capitalizing on defensive lapses by the Congolese team. The result extended Colombia's strong start at the tournament, with mathematical projections from Brazil's Fundação Getúlio Vargas having favored a Colombian victory at 66.42% probability before the match.

DR Congo, competing in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, remained competitive throughout the contest but ultimately could not overcome the South American side's superior possession and organization. The loss leaves the African nation third in Group K with one point, following their opening 1-1 draw against Portugal. Manager Sébastien Desabre acknowledged Colombia's dominance while expressing pride in his team's efforts, noting their improved performance in the second half despite the defeat.

Desabre emphasized the need for his squad to recover quickly and refocus on their final group match against Uzbekistan on Saturday in Atlanta, which represents their last opportunity to advance to the knockout stage. He praised his players' resilience and learning experience, stating that the team demonstrated capability despite falling short against the favored opponents. For Colombia, the victory set the stage for James Rodríguez, playing in his third World Cup, to pursue multiple historical records including extending his tally of World Cup appearances and assists.