LIVE UPDATES: Colombia 1-0 D.R Congo World Cup 2026 – Follow all the action, the goals, and celebrations

Colombia are into the next round! ⏩#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 24, 2026

The referee blows for full-time in Guadalajara as Colombia secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo to strengthen their position in Group K and book their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

90’ DR Congo push for a late equaliser as Nathanael Mbuku fires a low effort towards the bottom corner from distance, but Camilo Vargas reacts well to push the ball away for a corner.

80’ Colombia think they have doubled their advantage through Luis Diaz, but celebrations are cut short after the goal is ruled out for offside.

76’ GOAL FOR COLOMBIA! Juan Quintero makes an immediate impact after coming on, setting up Daniel Munoz whose shot from inside the box takes a deflection and beats Lionel Mpasi-Nzau to give Colombia a 1-0 lead.

72’ DR Congo make a change as Joris Kayembe comes on to replace Arthur Masuaku.

58’ Colombia introduce fresh creativity in midfield as Juan Quintero replaces James Rodriguez.

50’ Luis Diaz comes close to breaking the deadlock after reacting quickest inside the penalty area, but DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau produces another fine save to keep the scores level.

46’ The second half gets underway as both teams look for a breakthrough in this tightly contested Group K encounter.

45+6’ The referee brings the first half to an end, with Colombia and DR Congo heading into the break still locked at 0-0 in Guadalajara.

45+3’ Gustavo Puerta unleashes a powerful strike from the edge of the box after controlling a pass and spotting an opening, but a DR Congo defender gets in the way and blocks the effort.

43’ Arthur Masuaku delivers a long cross towards Cedric Bakambu inside the area, but Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas reacts quickly to come off his line and claim the ball safely.

40’ Davinson Sanchez escapes with a warning after bringing down his opponent with a sliding tackle, as referee Maurizio Mariani decides against showing a card.

39’ Davinson Sanchez rises well inside the box to meet Colombia’s free kick, but his header towards the middle of the goal is comfortably gathered by DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.

38’ Edo Kayembe commits a reckless challenge while attempting to win possession for DR Congo, and the referee quickly blows for a foul.

36’ DR Congo fail to make their corner count as Colombia’s defence reacts well to clear Arthur Masuaku’s delivery away from danger.

34’ Arthur Masuaku attempts a long diagonal pass across the pitch for DR Congo, but the ball travels out of play and Colombia are awarded a goal kick.

31’ Luis Diaz finds space on the edge of the penalty area and fires towards goal, but his effort is blocked before it can trouble the goalkeeper.

28’ Samuel Moutoussamy concedes a foul after a clumsy challenge, with referee Maurizio Mariani well positioned to spot the infringement.

25’ Daniel Munoz is penalised after making a strong challenge, with referee Maurizio Mariani quickly blowing for a foul in favour of DR Congo.

23’ Arthur Masuaku appears to have recovered well after his earlier injury concern and is able to continue for DR Congo.

22’ There is a brief scare for DR Congo as Arthur Masuaku looks uncomfortable after picking up a knock during play.

19’ Gustavo Puerta tries his luck again from long range after finding little support in attack, but Lionel Mpasi-Nzau is well positioned to make a comfortable save.

17’ Colombia continue to threaten as the ball falls kindly to Gustavo Puerta outside the box, but his strike from distance drifts harmlessly wide of the right post.

15’ Colombia and DR Congo remain locked at 0-0 midway through the first half in Guadalajara after an entertaining opening spell.

13’ Luis Diaz is caught offside once again as Colombia continue to push forward in attack.

12’ Jhon Lucumi rises well to meet the resulting corner for Colombia, but his effort from around the penalty spot flies comfortably over the crossbar.

11’ James Rodriguez unleashes a powerful long-range strike after receiving a neat pass, but DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau produces another excellent save to push the ball away from the bottom corner.

9’ Colombia’s celebrations are cut short after a VAR review confirms Daniel Munoz was in an offside position before putting the ball into the net. The referee rules out the goal.

8’ DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau receives medical attention after appearing to pick up an injury during the early exchanges.

7’ Referee Maurizio Mariani pauses the game for a VAR review to check a possible offside in the build-up to Colombia’s goal.

6’ Daniel Munoz finds the back of the net for Colombia, but the assistant referee immediately raises the flag for offside.

5’ Colombia continue to threaten as a rebound falls kindly to Daniel Munoz inside the penalty area, but his powerful effort flashes just wide of the right post.

4’ Lionel Mpasi-Nzau produces an excellent save to deny Jhon Arias after the Colombian attacker creates space inside the box and fires a low shot towards goal.

3’ Luis Diaz is flagged offside as Colombia attempt another quick attacking move.

2’ DR Congo create the first opportunity of the match when Edo Kayembe meets a long pass in space, but his effort from distance drifts well wide of the target.

1’ The first half is underway in Guadalajara, with Colombia getting the match started against DR Congo in this important Group K clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Colombia have won each of their last three World Cup matches against African opposition, while DR Congo recently faced South American opponents earlier this month, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Chile.

Tonight’s encounter will be the first-ever meeting between Colombia and DR Congo.

LA SELE VA POR LA CLASIFICACIÓN: la Colombia de Néstor Lorenzo tiene todo listo para enfrentar a RD Congo en la fecha 2 del Grupo K del Mundial. ¿Cuál es tu pronóstico?

📺 Solo para 🇨🇴, 🇪🇨 y 🇵🇪

⏱️ 23:00 (ARG-URU) | 22:00 (CHI-VEN) | 21:00 (COL-ECU-PER)
⚽ #ESPNMundial
📺 Mirá… pic.twitter.com/Gy5Xv7tPzg

— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) June 24, 2026

Head-to-head history

Coach Sébastien Desabre’s side have also proven difficult to beat in recent months, suffering only two defeats in their last 14 matches while recording nine wins and three draws.

The result marked a historic moment for the Leopards, who registered both their first World Cup goal and first World Cup point after previously losing all three matches without scoring during their only previous appearance in 1974 as Zaire.

Democratic Republic of the Congo also arrive with growing confidence after battling back to earn a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match.

Néstor Lorenzo’s side have also carried strong form into the competition, losing just two of their last 14 matches while recording eight wins and four draws during that period.

Another victory tonight would secure qualification to the knockout stages for a third consecutive World Cup appearance, underlining the progress the nation has made in recent tournaments.

Colombia made a strong start to their World Cup journey with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, placing themselves in a commanding position in Group K.

Match news and current form

Colombia head into tonight’s Group K encounter aiming to secure qualification to the Round of 32 after beginning their campaign with an impressive victory over Uzbekistan. DR Congo, meanwhile, are looking to build on a historic result after earning their first-ever World Cup point in the opening round.

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live blog coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup clash between Colombia and DR Congo at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.