Colombia Advances to World Cup Knockouts with Late Goal Against DR Congo

Colombia secured their passage to the World Cup knockout stages with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo on June 24, 2026. Daniel Muñoz, the Crystal Palace right-back, scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute after a deflection off DR Congo defender Steve Kapuadi wrong-footed goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi at the near post. The win came after an intense display of defending from the African side, who repeatedly frustrated Colombia's attacking efforts throughout the match.

Colombia dominated possession and created numerous clear chances, particularly in the opening stages. James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, and other Colombian midfielders moved the ball effectively, but DR Congo's disciplined defensive setup—a back five with a protective midfield three—proved difficult to break down. Mpasi made a series of exceptional saves in the first half, denying Jhon Arias, Muñoz, Rodríguez, and Díaz before a tactical adjustment at halftime, including a hydration break, allowed DR Congo to tighten their structure and limit Colombian opportunities.

DR Congo's coach Sébastien Desabre praised his goalkeeper's performance while acknowledging that the penetrating passes from Colombia's midfield were challenging to defend. Colombia's coach Néstor Lorenzo noted that his team played well but struggled to find space between the lines once DR Congo compacted their defensive shape. The Argentine tactician emphasized the importance of structured play against teams that employ aggressive counter-attacking. Díaz had two goals ruled out for offside, underlining Colombia's offensive threat throughout the encounter.

The victory marks Colombia's second win in the group stage, securing their advancement as they prepare for a final group match against Portugal. A draw in that fixture would allow Colombia to top the group and face a best third-place team in the knockout round, while a defeat would relegate them to second place. DR Congo, playing in only their second World Cup finals appearance in 52 years, remained competitive despite the loss and earlier drew with Portugal, demonstrating improved performance at the tournament level.

More than 35,000 Colombian supporters, comprising over 90% of the stadium's attendance, created a vibrant atmosphere in Guadalajara. The Colombian squad, featuring several players from leading European clubs, showcased technical quality throughout the match while their opponents displayed organized, disciplined defending that earned respect from both coaching staffs.