Daniel Munoz’s 76th-minute purpose guided Colombia to a Group Okay win over DR Congo, sending them to the spherical of 32.
Revealed On 24 Jun 2026
Daniel Munoz has fired Colombia into the World Cup round of 32 with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group Okay after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to show the match into an evening of frustration.
Munoz struck the winner from the appropriate facet of the penalty space within the 76th minute on Tuesday, lastly beating Mpasi, who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an impressed efficiency.
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Colombia, who opened their World Cup marketing campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, commanded possession and created quite a few possibilities.
James Rodriguez, making his tenth World Cup look to equal the Colombian report collectively held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, compelled Mpasi into motion with a strong strike within the eleventh minute.
The goalkeeper stood agency, repelling efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who got here near breaking the impasse within the 18th minute, controlling a chipped go contained in the penalty space, turning neatly, and firing a shot goal-wards, just for Mpasi to reserve it together with his foot.
The African facet, buoyed by their opening 1-1 draw with Portugal, threatened sporadically by way of Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, however lacked a medical end.
By half-time, Colombia had registered 15 photographs, together with six on the right track, with 9 of their 10 outfield gamers making an attempt efforts.
Within the stands, DR Congo had help from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the staff’s well-known “dwelling statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after lacking the opener in opposition to Portugal due to Ebola quarantine necessities.
Colombia resumed on the entrance foot after the break, with Diaz forcing one other wonderful save from Mpasi within the 51st minute earlier than Arias dragged the rebound huge.
Wissa virtually snatched the lead for DR Congo within the 73rd minute, when his shot from Simon Banza’s help was blocked, however Colombia struck shortly after by way of Munoz.
Diaz later thought he had doubled the benefit with a end into the highest nook, just for the effort to be dominated out for offside.
Colombia moved to 6 factors from two matches and assured their progress to the knockout stage forward of their remaining group recreation in opposition to Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.
DR Congo remained on one level and can want a consequence in opposition to Uzbekistan to maintain their qualification hopes alive.
