The Colombian team ensured its presence in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup after beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0 on the second day of Group K. The South American team reached six points and became the provisional leader of the area, with a margin over Portugal and a wide advantage over the African team.

The pass came after a game that required patience. Colombia dominated for several periods, generated constant chances and needed to wait until the last quarter of the match to break a resistance that goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had maintained.

During the start, the Colombian team found depth on the sides and occupied rival territory with continuity. Daniel Muñoz warned with a header, James Rodríguez tried from mid-range and Luis Díaz also found spaces to finish plays, although none ended inside the goal.

Mpasi maintained the balance with several demanding interventions and kept his team alive in the first minutes. Democratic Republic of the Congo withstood the initial siege and managed to reorganize after the hydration break.

As time went by, the game stopped being played only near the African area. Colombia lost offensive fluidity and wear and tear reduced the precision of its attacks, while Congo began to feel more comfortable competing in the midfield.

Daniel Muñoz unlocked the match and Vargas secured the result

In the second half, Colombia once again advanced their lines to seek classification. Luis Díaz was close to opening the scoring in the 50th minute with a left-footed shot that again found a response from Mpasi. In the continuation of that action, Jhon Arias captured the rebound, but his attempt went wide.

African improvement began to balance development. Congo gained confidence, found moments of possession and at times managed to get closer to the area defended by Camilo Vargas.

When the match was going through its most even stretch, the action that decided everything appeared. In the 76th minute, Daniel Muñoz received a deflected ball inside the area, attacked the space from the right and scored with his left leg to score 1-0. The Crystal Palace full-back thus scored his second goal of the tournament and ensured Colombia's early qualification.

The closing was tense. Luis Díaz scored twice in consecutive actions, but both goals were disallowed: one for a foul and the other for offside.

Democratic Republic of the Congo still had options to rescue the tie. In added time, Nathanael Mbuku tried from long distance and Camilo Vargas responded with a decisive intervention. In the next play, the Colombian goalkeeper intervened again to prevent the tie after a header from Chancel Mbemba.

With the result, Colombia was in first place in Group K with six units. Portugal appears second with four, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo adds one point and Uzbekistan continues without a point.

The last day will face Colombia and Portugal in Miami, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo will face Uzbekistan in Atlanta.