Colombia secured a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K clash at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. A deflected 76th-minute strike from Daniel Muñoz broke a stubborn Congolese defense, guaranteeing the South American side a spot in the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
What We Know
- DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi delivered a standout performance, absorbing relentless pressure before the late breakthrough.
- The Congolese attack failed to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
- DR Congo now faces a must-win final group stage match against Uzbekistan to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Colombia dictated the tempo early. They controlled the midfield and pinned DR Congo deep into their own half. The African nation entered the fixture riding high after forcing a 1-1 draw against European heavyweights Portugal in their opening match. They deployed a rigid defensive block designed to absorb pressure.
The strategy worked for over an hour. Colombia generated multiple attacking sequences but could not find a clean look at the net. The breakthrough finally arrived when Juan Fernando Quintero delivered a precise pass to Muñoz inside the box.
The resulting low strike deflected off defender Steve Kapuadi, altering its trajectory just enough to beat goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi following his earlier string of crucial saves.
Colombia’s 76th-minute goal guarantees their advancement to the Round of 32, according to Al Jazeera. They now sit comfortably at the top of Group K with six points and zero pressure heading into their final preliminary match.
DR Congo’s historic return to the World Cup finals—their first appearance in 52 years since the 1974 tournament—now hangs in the balance. Sitting on just one point, they must secure a victory against Uzbekistan in their final group stage match to avoid early elimination.