For 75 minutes, Colombia battered the door. Lionel Mpasi kept slamming it shut. But when Daniel Muñoz arrived once more from the right flank, there was finally no stopping him as Colombia secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory over DR Congo and booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32.
The atmosphere inside Estadio Guadalajara felt increasingly tense as chance after chance went begging. Colombia dominated from the opening whistle, creating opportunities at will, yet DR Congo’s stubborn resistance threatened to turn the evening into one of frustration.
Muñoz nearly set the tone inside four minutes when he struck the side netting after Jhon Arias’ effort was pushed into his path. Moments later, the Crystal Palace defender thought he had opened the scoring, only for an offside flag to cut short his celebrations.
Colombia continued to pour forward. Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez and Gustavo Puerta all tested Mpasi, whose first-half display kept his side alive. The DR Congo goalkeeper produced save after save, frustrating a Colombian attack that seemed destined to score.
The pressure did not ease after the break. Díaz was denied one-on-one by Mpasi before Arias somehow dragged the rebound wide. As the minutes ticked away, concern began to spread among the sea of yellow shirts in the stands.
Then came the breakthrough.
Juan Fernando Quintero threaded a clever pass through the defence in the 76th minute. Jhon Córdoba wisely left the ball alone, allowing Muñoz to collect it before firing a shot that deflected off Steve Kapuadi and into the bottom corner.
It was a goal that perfectly summed up Muñoz’s growing importance to this Colombian side. After opening their World Cup campaign with a goal against Uzbekistan, he has now scored in consecutive tournament matches and become Colombia’s unexpected attacking weapon.
In a team packed with creative stars, it is remarkable that a wing-back has become the difference-maker. His intelligent movement, late runs into dangerous areas and relentless energy continue to trouble opponents who are often focused on stopping Díaz and Rodríguez.
DR Congo nearly snatched a dramatic equaliser when Nathanaël Mbuku unleashed a powerful strike deep into stoppage time, but Camilo Vargas produced a superb save to preserve Colombia’s lead.
The result leaves Néstor Lorenzo’s men top of Group K and safely through to the knockout rounds. A draw against Portugal will secure first place.
For DR Congo, hope remains alive. Beat Uzbekistan in their final group match and a place in the last 32 could still await.
