Colombia defeated Congo DR 1-0 in FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara. Daniel Muñoz’s 76th-minute finish was the lone goal, sending Colombia through to the knockout stage on six points and leaving Congo DR third with one point.
🔥 Quick Read
- Muñoz scored the only goal in the 76th minute
- Colombia clinch knockout-stage qualification with six points
- Congo DR goalkeeper Mpasi made eight saves
- Lorenzo’s substitution unlocked the game via Quintero
- Congo DR still alive, must beat Uzbekistan on June 27
Congo DR Goalkeeper Holds Firm Until Muñoz Strikes Late
Colombia, comfortably the stronger side on paper heading into this Group K fixture, found Congo DR’s defensive structure far tougher to break than the ranking gap suggested. Congo DR goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced eight saves across the match, repelling wave after wave of Colombian pressure and keeping the score level deep into the second half.
The breakthrough arrived on 76 minutes. Substitute Juan Quintero, who came on for James Rodríguez, took control of the midfield tempo before providing the key pass that allowed Daniel Muñoz to fire a first-time effort past Mpasi at the near post. It was a fitting reward for Muñoz, who had wasted an earlier chance in the same match.
Colombia pressed for a second goal in the closing stages, with Luis Díaz twice denied, once for a foul in the build-up and once for offside. One goal, however, proved enough for Lorenzo’s side to clinch their place in the round of 32 with a game to spare.
Quintero Comes On, Unlocks Stubborn Congo DR Defence
The match’s decisive moment came when manager Nestor Lorenzo introduced Juan Quintero for James Rodríguez. Quintero immediately shifted the tempo and threaded the assist for Muñoz’s 76th-minute winner.
Late on, Luis Díaz was denied a brace, once for a foul and once for offside, though the single-goal cushion was already enough to confirm Colombia’s qualification.
Muñoz Delivers When Colombia Needed It Most
Daniel Muñoz was named the match’s top-rated player and earned that distinction on merit. The right back had missed a strong early chance but kept pressing and converted the moment that mattered, getting on the end of Quintero’s through-ball to beat Mpasi at his near post in the 76th minute.
His goal ended a match-long standoff against one of the tournament’s most resilient goalkeeping displays and confirmed Colombia’s passage to the knockout stage.
Colombia Through; Congo DR Eye Uzbekistan Lifeline
Colombia sit top of Group K on six points and will face Portugal in a final-day group decider on June 27 at Miami Stadium — a match that will determine the group winner, though both sides are already through. Lorenzo must monitor the squad’s yellow-card accumulation: Jhon Lucumi was booked in the 56th minute, while both Carlos Pickel and Jorge Lerma picked up late bookings in the 90th minute, with further yellows risking suspensions in the knockout rounds.
Congo DR remain third in the group on one point, but their World Cup survival is still in their hands. A win over Uzbekistan on June 27 at Atlanta Stadium could be enough to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Sebastien Desabre’s side showed they can compete, Mpasi’s eight-save performance against a strong Colombia attack will have given the squad confidence going into that decisive fixture.
For Colombia, the focus shifts to June 27 and a top-of-the-group showdown with Portugal in Miami; for Congo DR, it is a straight knockout match against Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
