Colombia has secured its spot in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).

The Colombian national football team defeated DR Congo 1-0 on Wednesday (June 24) in their second Group K match of the tournament, held at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, thanks to a winning goal by Daniel Muñoz in the 76th minute.

With this victory, Colombia, which defeated World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening match, secured its second consecutive win (6 points) to maintain the top spot in the group, ahead of Portugal (4 points, 1 win, 1 draw), who thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier in the day.

Furthermore, Colombia has guaranteed at least a second-place finish in the group, securing its advancement to the Round of 32 regardless of the outcome of its third match against Portugal.

Muñoz, who started as a right-back, led Colombia's charge to the Round of 32 by scoring in his second consecutive match, following his opening goal against Uzbekistan, despite being a defender.

DR Congo, which had recorded its first-ever World Cup goal and point in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match, suffered its first defeat of the tournament but remained third in the group, keeping its hopes of reaching the Round of 32 alive.

After a fierce competition that went down to the intercontinental playoffs for this World Cup, DR Congo edged out Jamaica to qualify for the tournament for only the second time in its history, and the first in 52 years since the 1974 tournament in West Germany (where they suffered three losses).

On Wednesday, Colombia pressed hard from the start of the first half but was repeatedly denied by the brilliant saves of DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Despite unleashing 14 shots (6 on target) in the first half, Colombia remained deadlocked with DR Congo, which recorded only two shots and none on target.

In the fourth minute, Jhon Arias's right-footed shot from the left side of the goal area was blocked by the goalkeeper and rolled to the right, where Muñoz rushed in to take another right-footed shot, only to hit the side netting.

In the sixth minute, after the goalkeeper parried Muñoz's header and the ball drifted toward the goal, Muñoz rushed in again to head it into the net.

However, the goal was disallowed as Muñoz was ruled offside during the cross.

In the 11th minute, James Rodríguez's left-footed shot from the front of the penalty arc was pushed away by a diving goalkeeper, and in the 16th minute, Luis Díaz's right-footed attempt from the center of the penalty box was blocked by the goalkeeper's legs.

In the 19th minute, Gustavo Puerta's long-range right-footed shot was also parried by the goalkeeper.

After a "cooling break," Colombia's offensive momentum slowed, allowing DR Congo to create threatening moments with sharp crosses late in the first half.

The pattern of the match did not change much in the second half.

In the 50th minute, Díaz's left-footed shot from the left side of the goal area was saved by the goalkeeper, and Arias's subsequent shot went wide of the goal.

In the 58th minute, Colombia attempted to break the deadlock by substituting Luis Suárez and Rodríguez for Jhon Córdoba and Juan Fernando Quintero.

Colombia, which had been relentlessly knocking on DR Congo's door, finally found the breakthrough in the 76th minute.

Receiving a pass from Quintero, Muñoz unleashed a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, which took a slight deflection off a defender before finding the back of the net.

Colombia had further chances to extend their lead when Díaz found the back of the net in the 79th and 80th minutes, but the goals were ruled out for a foul on a defender and offside, respectively.

However, Colombia successfully weathered DR Congo's late onslaught for an equalizer and held onto their lead until the final whistle.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)