Header goal disallowed in 6th minute

Fullback seals win with 76th-minute strike

Colombia's Daniel Muñoz beats the Congo goalkeeper to score in the sixth minute of their Group K match at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on Wednesday (Korean Standard Time). The goal was later disallowed. [Reuters]
Colombia's Daniel Muñoz beats the Congo goalkeeper to score in the sixth minute of their Group K match at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on Wednesday (Korean Standard Time). The goal was later disallowed. [Reuters]

Colombia defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo to secure back-to-back wins and advance to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Colombian national team beat Congo 1-0 on Wednesday (Korean Standard Time) in their Group K second-round match at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, with Daniel Muñoz scoring the decisive goal in the 76th minute.

The result extended Colombia's winning run to two matches — six points — keeping them atop Group K ahead of Portugal, who collected four points from one win and one draw after thrashing Uzbekistan 5-0 on the same day. Colombia had beaten Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opener, the Central Asian side's World Cup debut. With at least a second-place finish now guaranteed regardless of their final group-stage match against Portugal, Colombia have officially booked their place in the round of 32.

Starting at right back, Muñoz scored for the second consecutive game — having opened the scoring against Uzbekistan — leading Colombia's charge into the knockout stage despite playing as a defender.

Colombia pressed hard from the opening minutes but were repeatedly denied by brilliant saves from Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Despite unleashing 14 shots — six on target — in the first half, Colombia could not find a way through, with Congo managing only two shots and none on target.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Colombia continuing to batter the Congo goal. The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute. Muñoz received a pass from substitute Fernando Quintero — who had come on in the 58th minute — and fired a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area. The ball deflected off a defender and crept into the net.

Earlier, in the sixth minute, Muñoz had appeared to score when he headed in a rebound after his initial header was parried by the goalkeeper. The goal was ruled out, however, as Muñoz had been caught offside when the cross was delivered.

Colombia then held firm against Congo's late push for an equalizer, protecting their lead to the final whistle.

Congo had made history in their opener by drawing 1-1 with Portugal — their first-ever World Cup point and goal — but suffered their first defeat of the tournament and remained third in the group, keeping their round-of-32 hopes alive. The Congolese side reached this World Cup through an intercontinental playoff, making their second-ever appearance at the finals and their first since the 1974 West Germany tournament, where they lost all three matches — a gap of 52 years.

Colombia's Daniel Muñoz celebrates after scoring in the 76th minute of their Group K match against Congo at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on Wednesday (Korean Standard Time). [AP]
Colombia's Daniel Muñoz celebrates after scoring in the 76th minute of their Group K match against Congo at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on Wednesday (Korean Standard Time). [AP]

yjc@heraldcorp.com