Colombia Edge DR Congo 1-0 to Boost World Cup Knockout Hopes

Colombia strengthened its chances of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a second-half goal from Daniel Munoz secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo in a Group K clash on Wednesday.

Munoz struck in the 76th minute at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, finishing a precise pass from Juan Quintero to break the deadlock in a match dominated by disciplined defending and limited scoring opportunities.

The victory moves Colombia closer to qualification for the round of 16, while DR Congo now face a must-win encounter against Uzbekistan on June 27 to keep their hopes alive.

Colombia controlled possession for much of the contest and looked the more threatening side in attack but struggled to break down a well-organized Congolese defense during a scoreless first half.

DR Congo relied on quick counterattacks and a compact defensive setup to frustrate the South Americans, with defenders repeatedly clearing dangerous balls and limiting clear-cut chances.

As the match wore on, Colombia increased the pressure and finally found a breakthrough when Quintero threaded a pass through the defense for Munoz, who calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

The goal forced DR Congo to push forward in search of an equalizer. The African side responded with urgency and committed more players to attack, but Colombia's defense remained organized and held firm until the final whistle.

The tightly contested match also featured several physical challenges. Colombia's Jhon Lucumí and Jefferson Lerma, along with DR Congo's Charles Pickel, were shown yellow cards for fouls and unsporting conduct.

The result leaves Colombia in a strong position ahead of its final group-stage match against Portugal. DR Congo, meanwhile, must regroup quickly before facing Uzbekistan in a crucial fixture that could determine its World Cup future.

With one group match remaining, Colombia are within touching distance of the knockout rounds, while DR Congo's qualification hopes now hang on securing a positive result in their next outing.