Colombia 1-0 DR Congo: Munoz steps up again to secure knockout spot

Colombia have booked their place in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 win over DR Congo at Estadio Guadalajara.

Nestor Lorenzo's side saw their patience tested as they recorded 20 shots worth 1.03 expected goals (xG) while restricting DR Congo to 0.39 xG from eight attempts, but Daniel Munoz made the all-important difference in the end.

It was a fast start from Colombia, who saw Munoz strike the outside of the post from close range after Jhon Arias' initial effort was parried away by Lionel Mpasi.

Munoz thought he scored the opener in the sixth minute, bundling in on the goal line after his first header was saved, but the Crystal Palace right-back was offside from Johan Mojica's initial cross.

Mpasi had a busy first half in the DR Congo goal, denying Luis Diaz's well-crafted effort as well as long-distance attempts from James Rodriguez and Gustavo Puerta.

The DR Congo goalkeeper was called upon again five minutes after the break, thwarting Diaz with his left leg before Arias inexplicably missed the target on the rebound.

Colombia eventually broke the deadlock in the 76th minute; Jhon Cordoba allowed Juan Fernando Quintero's pass to roll through to Munoz, who saw his shot deflect off Steve Kapuadi and into the bottom-left corner.

There was still time for more drama as Diaz saw two goals ruled out, first for a foul and then for offside, before Camilo Vargas went full stretch to tip Nathanael Mbuku's long-range strike around the post in the 91st minute.

Marauding Munoz makes the difference again

It was Munoz who kick-started Colombia's World Cup campaign, scoring the opening goal in their 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, and the attacking full-back has now fired his country into the knockout rounds.

Munoz has become the fourth Colombian player to score in consecutive World Cup appearances, and the first since Yerry Mina, another defender, in 2018.

And Munoz's goal was a testament to Colombia's resilience after Mpasi was in inspired form for DR Congo.

The goalkeeper made eight saves in total, five of which came inside the opening 20 minutes; he became the first player to make five saves within the opening 20 minutes of a World Cup match since Jamaica's Warren Barrett against Argentina in 1998.

Diaz and Puerta attempted five shots each (match-high) while James became the first Colombia player to create five chances in a World Cup match since Carlos Valderrama against England in 1998, but their breakthrough eventually came from Munoz.

Colombia can now secure top spot in Group K with a draw against Portugal in their final group match, while DR Congo will likely need a win to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.