Muñoz Strikes Again as Colombia Edge Past DR Congo to Reach Round of 32

Daniel Munoz scored a deflected strike in the 76th minute to give Colombia a 1-0 win over DR Congo in Guadalajara on Wednesday morning, securing their place in the round of 32 with two wins from two games in Group K. 

DR Congo, who had held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opener, are third in the group and must beat Uzbekistan in their final game to have any chance of going through.

Colombia dominated for long stretches but were repeatedly denied by an outstanding performance from DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made five saves in the opening 20 minutes alone. 

Munoz himself should have opened the scoring inside four minutes when he put a close-range shot into the side netting after Jhon Arias' effort was parried into his path. Minutes later he bundled the ball into the net from a header but was ruled just offside.

Luis Diaz also squandered a clear chance on the hour mark, failing to finish when one-on-one with Mpasi, before Arias dragged the follow-up wide.

The breakthrough finally came when Juan Fernando Quintero slid a clever pass into Munoz's path and his left-footed shot clipped a defender on the way in, leaving Mpasi with no chance.

DR Congo pushed for an equaliser late on but Colombia held firm for a deserved win.

Colombia top Group K with six points, two ahead of Portugal who thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0  on Tuesday night. 

A draw against Portugal on Saturday in Miami will be enough for Colombia to win the group, with that result also enough to send Portugal through. DR Congo face Uzbekistan at the same time in Atlanta.

Munoz has now scored in both of Colombia's games at this World Cup and was their most dangerous player throughout, regularly arriving late into the box from his right wing-back position. 

🌎🇨🇴 OFFICIAL: Daniel Munoz, Man of the Match for Colombia vs DR Congo. pic.twitter.com/ijjcMLGwOR

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2026

In a side containing Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez, it is the Crystal Palace man who has emerged as Colombia's biggest attacking threat so far, and opposing teams will now be very aware of the danger he carries going into the knockout stage.