Munoz the Hero: Colombia 1-0 DR Congo Seals Last-32 Spot at World Cup 2026
For most of the night at Estadio Guadalajara, Colombia battered the door without finding a way through. Then, in the 76th minute, it was right-back Daniel Munoz who finally forced it open — his shot from the right side of the penalty area taking a deflection to wrong-foot the goalkeeper and give Colombia a 1-0 win over a defiant DR Congo, along with a place in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage with a round to spare.
First half: total control, no reward
This was a lopsided contest from the whistle. Colombia dictated the tempo immediately, with James Rodriguez testing the goalkeeper with a powerful 11th-minute drive. By the interval Los Cafeteros had piled up 15 shots, six of them on target, yet had nothing to show for their dominance.
The reason was DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who produced an inspired display, repelling chance after chance to somehow keep the scoreline level at the break.
Second half: Munoz breaks the deadlock
Colombia kept pressing after the restart, with Luis Diaz a constant menace down the left, dragging the Congolese defence out of shape. The relentless pressure finally told in the 76th minute, when Munoz struck from the right of the box and saw his effort deflect past Mpasi for the game’s only goal. Diaz thought he had added a second, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Key performers and what it means
Munoz was the unlikely match-winner, a defender deciding a contest that his forwards had spent the night threatening to settle. Diaz and Rodriguez supplied the creativity, while beaten goalkeeper Mpasi left with enormous credit — his saves made the final score look far closer than the play.
The result carries real weight. Colombia top Group K on six points from two wins and are through to the last 32 with a game in hand, free to rotate when they face Portugal in their final fixture. DR Congo, still on a single point, must beat Uzbekistan in the last round to keep their hopes alive.
For more reaction visit our match reports, follow the action on live scores, and check the fixtures page for what’s next.
Disclaimer: Scoreline and goal data are compiled from public match reports. Should they differ from official records, FIFA’s official figures take precedence.
