Amir Yaseen

Srinagar, June 24

For more than 75 minutes, Colombia battered at the door and found it firmly locked.

Shot after shot was repelled. Chances came and went. Lionel Mpasi stood tall in the Congo DR goal, frustrating one of South America’s most dynamic attacking teams and threatening to turn Guadalajara Stadium into a night of Colombian anxiety.

Then Daniel Munoz arrived once more.

The in-form defender’s deflected strike in the 76th minute finally broke Congo DR’s resistance and secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory that sent Colombia into the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a perfect six points from two matches.

It was not Colombia’s most dazzling performance, but it may have been one of their most important.

Facing an organized and resilient Congo DR side, Colombia dominated possession and territory from the opening whistle. The breakthrough seemed inevitable, yet Mpasi repeatedly found ways to keep his team alive.

Jhon Arias was denied early by the goalkeeper before Munoz fired the rebound into the side netting. Minutes later, Munoz thought he had opened the scoring when he bundled home after a saved header, only for the celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag.

The chances kept coming.

Veteran playmaker James Rodriguez tested Mpasi. So did Luis Diaz. Gustavo Puerta joined the assault. Each time, the Congo DR goalkeeper responded with another save, turning the match into a personal showcase of resilience.

Despite Colombia’s dominance, Congo DR remained dangerous on the counterattack. Their best first-half opportunity arrived when Arthur Masuaku whipped a teasing cross into the penalty area that narrowly evaded the head of Yoane Wissa, whose late equalizer against Portugal on Matchday 1 had already demonstrated his threat on the biggest stage.

The second half followed a similar pattern.

Diaz came within inches of breaking the deadlock after Mpasi blocked his close-range effort, only for Arias to drag the rebound wide through a crowded penalty area. As frustration began to build among the Colombian players and supporters, the match seemed destined to become one of those nights where superior play failed to produce a result.

Munoz had other ideas.

After intelligent hold-up play from substitute Jhon Cordoba created space around the edge of the area, Munoz collected the ball and unleashed an effort that took a decisive deflection on its way past the helpless Mpasi.

The eruption of relief around the stadium was almost as loud as the celebration itself.

Munoz’s goal, his second in as many World Cup matches, underlined his growing importance to Colombia’s campaign. While the spotlight often falls on stars such as Diaz and Rodriguez, the Crystal Palace defender has emerged as one of the tournament’s most influential performers.

Even after taking the lead, Colombia were made to sweat. Diaz twice found the net in the closing stages, only to see both efforts ruled out for offside. Congo DR responded with a late surge, pushing bodies forward in search of an equalizer that would have transformed the complexion of Group K.

Colombia held firm.

The victory guarantees a top-two finish and secures qualification for the knockout phase ahead of a highly anticipated group finale against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

“I want to thank the team for all their effort,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said afterward. “We’re very happy. We’re a team that takes the initiative, and we never give up on that approach.”

Munoz echoed his coach’s sentiments while looking beyond qualification.

“We played with intensity and aggression, and we stuck to our style,” he said. “This victory gives us a morale boost. We don’t want to settle for this.”

For Congo DR, defeat leaves their destiny hanging in the balance. With one point from two matches, they remain in contention but will likely need victory over Uzbekistan in their final group match and favorable results elsewhere to advance.

Coach Sebastien Desabre acknowledged the challenge ahead.

“It was a difficult match for us,” he said. “We played against a very good team. They were superior. We need to analyze ourselves now and move forward.”

While Congo DR still have work to do, Colombia can afford a brief moment of celebration. Two matches, two victories, four goals scored and only one conceded represent the kind of efficient start capable of fueling a deep World Cup run.

And if Munoz continues finding decisive moments, Colombia’s ambitions may stretch far beyond merely reaching the knockout rounds.

Match information, quotes, and photos courtesy of FIFA.com