Colombia are in complete control of Group K heading into their clash against Portugal, after defeating DR Congo 1-0 in Guadalajara.
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 Muñoz made the all-important difference in the end.
It was a fast start from Colombia, who saw Muñoz strike the outside of the post from close range after Jhon Arias‘ initial effort was parried away by Lionel Mpasi.
Muñoz 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 Díaz‘s well-crafted effort as well as long-distance attempts from James Rodríguez and Gustavo Puerta.
The DR Congo goalkeeper was called upon again five minutes after the break, thwarting Díaz with his leg leg before Arias inexplicably missed the target on the rebound.
Colombia eventually broke the deadlock in the 76th minute; Jhon Córdoba allowed Juan Fernando Quintero‘s pass to roll through to Muñoz, who saw his shot deflect off Steve Kapuadi and into the bottom-left corner.
There was still time for more drama as Díaz saw two goals ruled out, first for a foul and then for offside, before Camilo Vargas went full stretch to tip Nathanaël Mbuku‘s long-range strike around the post in the 91st minute.
Marauding Muñoz Makes the Difference Again
It was Muñoz 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.
Muñoz has become the fourth Colombian player to score in consecutive World Cup appearances, and the first since Yerry Mina, another defender, in 2018.
And Muñoz’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.
Díaz 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 Muñoz.
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.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Colombia vs DR Congo stats from their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K meeting at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan on 24 June.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
Colombia vs DR Congo: Post-Match Opta Facts
- Colombia have won four of their five FIFA World Cup matches against African nations, with their only defeat in such fixtures coming against Cameroon in 1990.
- James Rodríguez made his 10th appearance for Colombia at the FIFA World Cup, equalling the record for the most appearances by a Colombian player in the competition, joining Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincón.
- Colombia have won their first two group stage matches at a FIFA World Cup for the second time in seven all-time appearances, also doing so in 2014 when they recorded their best finish (quarter-final).
- Colombia attempted 20 shots against DR Congo, their highest tally in a single FIFA World Cup match since recording 21 shots against Tunisia in 1998.
- DR Congo have conceded just two goals in two matches at this year’s FIFA World Cup. They conceded 11 times in their first two matches as Zaire in their first appearance in the competition in 1974.
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