Colombia edged past a rather lackluster Ghana side with a 1-0 victory on Saturday morning, booking their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
The South Americans bossed the game at a packed Arrowhead Stadium but ended up with just Jhon Arias’s early strike to show for their dominance.
Luis Suarez, introduced after Jhon Cordoba picked up an injury, delivered a pinpoint cross that found Arias at the back post, and the winger made no mistake.
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Colombia edge Ghana 1-0
The packed stadium burst into celebration as Colombia earned a deserved lead and now look ahead to a Round of 16 clash against Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey fired a shot just wide in the opening minute, but it proved to be a false dawn for the African nation.
Moments later, Ghana had to make a change of their own as Alidu Seidu came on for the injured Marvin Senaya.
Colombia doubled down on their dominance in the 14th minute after substitute Suarez showed great persistence on the right flank before delivering a cross for an unmarked Arias to guide home.
That left Carlos Queiroz’s goal-shy Black Stars, who managed just two goals during the group stage, with a mountain to climb.
Roared on by a partisan crowd in Kansas City, Colombia continued to dictate the tempo, producing fluid, inventive football as they searched for a second goal.
Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz had a glorious chance to extend Colombia’s advantage in the 39th minute but dragged his effort wide.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi produced a brilliant save to deny Johan Mojica’s downward header.
The halftime statistics painted a bleak picture for Ghana as they failed to register a single shot on target and completed fewer than half of Colombia’s 319 passes yet, they somehow remained in the contest.
Colombia made life harder than it needed to be after the break, wasting several opportunities to put the game beyond their opponents.
Diaz found the back of the net but was ruled offside before later firing another effort straight at Zigi.
As the clock wound down, Juan Quintero flashed a powerful strike wide, but Arias’ first-half goal ultimately proved decisive against a Ghana side that failed to register a single shot on target.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026