ColombiavsCongo DR

Result

Colombia booked their place in the round of 32 with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Congo DR in Guadalajara. Néstor Lorenzo's side dominated — 20 shots to seven and two-thirds of the ball — but were repeatedly denied by Congo DR goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made eight saves, until Daniel Muñoz finally broke the resistance on 76 minutes. The win lifts Colombia to six points and through to the knockout stage, setting up a final-day group decider with Portugal, while Congo DR must beat Uzbekistan on the last matchday to keep their hopes alive.

Colombia 4-3-35-3-2 Congo DR

Colombia

Congo DR

Daniel Muñoz76'

Jhon Lucumí56'

Charles Pickel90'+3'

Jefferson Lerma90'+4'

64%Possession36%

20Shots7

9On target1

1Saves8

5Corners4

473Passes completed226

87%Pass accuracy76%

10Tackles15

24Touches in box10

Substitutions

Jhon Córdobafor Luis Suárezat 58'

Noah Sadikifor Ngal'ayel Mukauat 45'

Juan Fernando Quinterofor James Rodríguezat 58'

Simon Banzafor Cédric Bakambuat 57'

Richard Ríosfor Jhon Ariasat 78'

Joris Kayembefor Arthur Masuakuat 72'

Charles Pickelfor Edo Kayembeat 72'

Nathanaël Mbukufor Samuel Moutoussamyat 82'

At this Stage

Colombia are through to the round of 32, and they were made to earn it: six points from two games, the second requiring twenty shots and 76 minutes to beat Lionel Mpasi, whose eight saves nearly rescued Congo DR a second point. The group behind them sharpened too. Portugal's 5-0 dismantling of Uzbekistan lifted them to four points and a group-best +5 goal difference, turning the final-day meeting between Colombia and Portugal into a straight decider for top spot. Congo DR stay third on one point, alive only if they beat Uzbekistan in the finale; Uzbekistan sit bottom, pointless and eight goals down. The quiet stat under the standings: Colombia have conceded once in two matches, and in a group carrying Portugal's firepower, the meanest defence currently holds the best hand.

Group K

Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
Colombia	2	2	0	0	+3	6
Portugal	2	1	1	0	+5	4
Congo DR	2	0	1	1	-1	1
Uzbekistan	2	0	0	2	-7	0

Top two (above the accent line) advance to the round of 32; the third-placed team is in the race for one of the eight best-third spots.

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

Colombia to win. Néstor Lorenzo's side opened with a clinical 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and can take a decisive step toward the round of 32 here, while Congo DR earned a battling 1-1 draw with Portugal and arrive full of belief. Colombia's edge is obvious in the final third — James Rodríguez pulling the strings, Luis Díaz running in behind and Luis Suárez leading the line. Congo DR are physical and dangerous on the break through Yoane Wissa, so the Cafeteros must be patient, but their quality should tell in Guadalajara. 2-0 Colombia.

Both cases written 2026-06-22, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 25% belongs to the draw.