Colombia 1-0 Ghana
Colombia goal: Jhon Arias (14)
KANSAS CITY — Colombia underlined their credentials as FIFA World Cup 2026™ dark horses with a controlled Round of 32 victory over Ghana at Kansas City Stadium.
Having finished top of Group K ahead of Portugal, Néstor Lorenzo’s team were too strong for the Black Stars, with Jhon Arias’ first-half strike enough to book a last-16 meeting with Switzerland.
Ghana’s Thomas Partey went close with a powerful long-range effort inside two minutes, but La Sele – roared on by a sea of Colombian supporters – soon seized the initiative.
Luis Suárez, on for the injured Jhon Córdoba, burst clear down the right before squaring into the penalty area, where Arias caressed a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Ghana were a touch fortunate not to be even further behind at the break, as Luis Díaz fired wide from inside the box and Lawrence Ati-Zigi produced a brilliant reaction save to claw away Johan Mojica’s downward header.
Díaz had the ball in the net in the 56th minute, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside after he stretched to convert Arias’ cross. Moments later the Colombia forward fired straight at Ati-Zigi from an unmarked position inside the penalty area.
One goal proved enough, though, as the Colombians kept it tight at the back and prevented Ghana from registering any shots on target.
Lorenzo’s side return to action on 7 July in Vancouver, where they will battle Switzerland for a place in the quarter-finals.
Key stat
Colombia have struck first in three of their four matches at World Cup 2026, with the only exception a goalless draw against Portugal.
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Luis Díaz (Colombia)
Information and Photos Courtesy of FIFA
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