Daniel Munoz Scores Again as Colombia Beat DR Congo to Reach Last 32

June 28, 2026 3 min read

Colombia secured their place in the World Cup last 32 with a 1-0 victory over DR Congo on Thursday, thanks to Daniel Munoz's second goal of the tournament. The win leaves the South American side comfortably through from their group while the African nation faces an early exit from the competition.

Match Overview

Munoz struck in the first half to settle a tightly contested encounter at a packed stadium. The Colombian defender has now found the net twice in two group matches, establishing himself as his country's most dangerous attacking threat. Colombia controlled possession for long periods but struggled to convert their dominance into further goals against a determined DR Congo side.

DR Congo created several chances on the counter-attack but lacked the clinical edge needed to trouble the Colombian goalkeeper. The result leaves the African team with no points from two matches and virtually no chance of progressing. They must now wait for results elsewhere to determine whether they can salvage any pride in their final group fixture.

Implications for the Group

The three points move Colombia to the summit of the group standings with a perfect record. Their superior goal difference means they are all but assured of top spot heading into the final round of group matches. The Colombian squad celebrated cautiously on the pitch, aware that more demanding challenges await in the knockout rounds.

DR Congo, meanwhile, must regroup quickly ahead of their final group game. With their qualification hopes extinguished, the focus shifts to pride and development for the young squad. The defeat continues a challenging start to the tournament for Central African football representatives.

What This Means for Qualification Rivals

Several nations are monitoring this group's outcome closely as the race for last-32 places intensifies. Colombia's progression effectively removes one competitive team from the pack of sides competing for second place in other groups. Nigeria, in particular, faces a complicated path to qualification following these developments. The Super Eagles now require specific results in multiple fixtures to advance, with their fate no longer entirely in their own hands.

Group-stage permutations have become increasingly complex as more teams accumulate points. Several third-placed sides remain in contention for the knockout rounds, meaning late results in this group could still influence the broader qualification picture across the tournament.

Colombia's Path Forward

Colombia will face their final group opponents with the opportunity to rest key players and preserve energy for the challenges ahead. Manager decisions about squad rotation will be crucial as the tournament enters its decisive phase. The team's defensive solidity has been impressive, conceding no goals across their opening two matches.

Munoz's unexpected contribution as a goal scorer has added an unexpected dimension to Colombia's attacking options. His ability to timing runs into the box and finish under pressure has caught opposing defenses off guard. If he maintains this form, opponents in the last 32 will need to account for his threat carefully.

DR Congo's Disappointment

For DR Congo, this tournament represents a missed opportunity to showcase their developing talent on the world stage. The squad featured several players based at European clubs who were expected to make a more significant impact. Instead, defensive errors and missed chances have compounded to produce two straight defeats.

The team's coaching staff must now rebuild confidence ahead of their final fixture. Pride is at stake in the remaining group match, and a positive performance would at least provide some consolation for a difficult campaign.

What Comes Next

Colombia will complete their group-stage campaign before turning attention to the last-32 draw. The knockout round matchups will be determined once all group results are confirmed, giving Colombia's technical staff time to analyze potential opponents. The team enters the draw in a strong position, with momentum and momentum on their side.

For followers of African teams, the outcome of DR Congo's final group match carries secondary importance. Several scenarios remain possible depending on results across different groups, keeping qualification calculators busy for supporters tracking their nation's advancement hopes.