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FIFA World Cup: Daniel Muñoz fires Colombia into knockout phase

Colombia 1-0 Congo DR

Colombia goal: Daniel Muñoz (76)

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO — Colombia clinched their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 after grinding out a win over Congo DR at Guadalajara Stadium.

Congo DR’s Edo Kayembe tested the waters with a long-range effort that sailed wide, but the rest of an electric first half largely belonged to Colombia.

Lionel Mpasi denied Jhon Arias, with Daniel Muñoz sending the follow-up into the side netting. Muñoz then saw a header saved before bundling in the rebound, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Colombia continued to press as Mpasi saved from James Rodriguez, Luis Díaz and Gustavo Puerta. Congo DR finally threatened late in the half, but Arthur Masuaku’s raking cross narrowly evaded the head of Yoane Wissa, who was inches away from adding to his equalising goal against Portugal on Matchday 1.

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 23: Daniel Munoz #2 of Colombia scores a goal that was disallowed due to an offside violation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Colombia and Congo DR at Guadalajara Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Mpasi was at it again after the restart, making himself big to thwart Diaz at close quarters. The rebound fell to Arias, but his shot through a crowded penalty area went wide.

Colombia’s frustrations were beginning to show when Munoz broke Mpasi’s stubborn resistance, scoring with a deflected strike after intelligent hold-up play from substitute Jhon Cordoba.

Diaz had two goals chalked off for offside as Colombia withstood a late wave of Congo DR pressure to seal a top-two spot in Group K ahead of their meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Congo DR, meanwhile, could still advance if they beat Uzbekistan and results elsewhere go their way.

Group K
Group K
P W D L GF GA GD TCS Pts Form
1
Colombia
2 2 0 0 4 1 3 -3 6
2
Portugal
2 1 1 0 6 1 5 -4 4
3
Congo DR
2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 -2 1
4
Uzbekistan
2 0 0 2 1 8 -7 -2 0

Key stat

Daniel Muñoz has scored in successive World Cup 2026 games.


Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match

Daniel Muñoz (Colombia)

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 23: Daniel Munoz #2 of Colombia poses with the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match Trophy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Colombia and Congo DR at Guadalajara Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

What they said…

“I want to thank the team for all their effort. Against teams like this, you have to find the spaces between the lines; if you stick too rigidly to a set play, they’ll counter-attack by exploiting those spaces. We’re very happy – we’re a team that takes the initiative, and we never give up on that approach. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us.” Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia coach

“We played with intensity and aggression, and we stuck to our style. This achievement belongs to the entire team; we earned these three points as a team and for all the fans who came out to support us. This victory gives us a morale boost. We don’t want to settle for this” Daniel Muñoz, Colombia scorer

Information and Photos Courtesy of FIFA

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