Colombia secure knockout stage spot with win over DR Congo

By Ama Serwah — 24 June 2026 — 4 min read

Colombia secured their place in the World Cup round of 32 after defeating DR Congo in a recent fixture. The match, held at the Estadio Guadalajara, saw Daniel Munoz score the winning goal, marking his second goal for his country in less than a week. This victory positions Colombia at the top of Group K.

The game marked the first international encounter between Colombia and DR Congo. Colombia maintained an unchanged lineup following their opening match victory in Group K. Similarly, DR Congo also fielded an unchanged side after securing a draw against Portugal in their first-round match.

Match Overview and Key Performances

For a significant portion of the game, Colombia faced frustration from DR Congo’s defense. Despite this, they managed to find a breakthrough. Munoz, a right-back for Crystal Palace, had missed a clear opportunity in the first half but redeemed himself with the decisive goal. He had previously scored three times for Colombia across 46 appearances.

The first half saw Colombia generate 14 shots without success against DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. DR Congo, managed by Sebastien Desabre, was unable to maintain their hold for a second point in the tournament. Colombia finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with Munoz’s low, deflected effort. Additionally, Luis Diaz had two goals disallowed within a two-minute span late in the game. Colombia’s goalkeeper, Camilo Vargas, was called upon in the first minute of stoppage time to block a shot from Nathanael Mbuku, ultimately ensuring the win.

In the initial 45 minutes, Colombia exhibited dominance in ball possession, territorial control, and crowd support. They outshot DR Congo by 14 to two, completed more than double the number of passes, and were three times more successful in aerial duels. DR Congo’s midfield struggled to match Colombia’s width, with players like James Rodriguez and Johan Mojica consistently available in the build-up and dictating play. Rodriguez, in particular, operated almost as an auxiliary right-back rather than a traditional right-winger, dropping deep to influence the game.

Despite their dominance, Colombia’s own inefficiency contributed to a goalless first half. Goalkeeper Mpasi made five saves within the first 20 minutes, the highest number to start any World Cup game since 1998. However, many of these shots were directed from a distance. Munoz, who had previously scored for Colombia against Uzbekistan, missed a significant chance in the fourth minute, skewing his shot off the outside of the post despite having an open goal.

DR Congo’s draw against Portugal had demonstrated their ability to remain competitive even when outplayed. Colombia, at times, appeared to be repeating similar mistakes in this match. The winning goal for Colombia came from a deflection off Steve Kapuadi’s boot, which wrong-footed Mpasi, after Jhon Cordoba fell in the box.

Team News and Group Implications

Luis Diaz, a former Liverpool player, had a strong start to his World Cup campaign with a goal and an assist, making him the most-selected player from either side. His ownership percentage indicates high expectations for his performance. Munoz, from Crystal Palace, also maintained his reputation for impactful play, having scored in the win against Uzbekistan.

For DR Congo, Yoane Wissa, who had been on the bench for Newcastle towards the end of the domestic season, displayed no signs of rustiness against Portugal, scoring his first goal in any competition since January. Former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku provided the assist for Wissa’s goal and took all four of his team’s corners, highlighting his contribution on both ends of the field. DR Congo had proven to be a resilient team in qualifying, conceding more than one goal only once in 13 matches.

The lineups for the match featured key players. Colombia’s starting XI included Camilo Vargas, Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica, Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, and Luis Suarez. DR Congo’s lineup comprised Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Steve Kapuadi, Arthur Masuaku, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Cédric Bakambu, and Yoane Wissa.

This result sets up a crucial match between Colombia and Portugal in the final round of Group K fixtures. Nestor Lorenzo’s Colombia currently leads the group and needs to avoid defeat against Portugal to secure first place. For Portugal, a victory against Colombia is necessary to top the group. DR Congo, despite the loss, remains third in Group K with one point. They still have a chance to advance to the knockout stages if they can beat Uzbekistan in their next match.