Colombia completes the round of 16 of the World Cup

The Colombian team won the last ticket to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after eliminating Ghana (1-0) this Friday with Jhon Arias’ goal in the first half, a match without fanfare but calm for the coffee growers, who meet with Switzerland.

Néstor Lorenzo’s men maintain the hope and potential of doing something important in the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada until July 19. Without their best version, with James Rodríguez on the bench at half-time, Colombia beat a Ghana that did not shoot on goal at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas.

Arias’ goal came at fifteen minutes after a rocky start, with injuries to Jhon Córdoba and Marvin Senaya. Colombia settled first and the entry of Luis Suárez was a good remedy because he fought and crossed the ball that made it 1-0. The South American team wanted to take advantage of its moment, with a lot of push in the stands.

The euphoria was short-lived for Néstor Lorenzo’s men and Ghana connected with Iñaki Williams and Antoine Semenyo, but their best chance of the game would be a narrowly deflected shot by Thomas Partey in the first minute. On the other side, Colombia lacked aim with Luis Díaz and rhythm in James who was signaled at half-time, although Juan Fernando Quintero came in with a good spark.

The restart was once again a coffee game but again without taking advantage of a double chance by Gustavo Puerta and Dávinson Sánchez. With some anxiety, Luis Díaz fell offside in a goal that did not go up the scoreboard and shortly after he forgave a clear one-on-one by finishing off the goalkeeper’s body. Then, coach Carlos Queiroz rotated a Ghana that was ineffective but alive due to the short result.

In Néstor Lorenzo’s team, the responsibility fell to Quintero, giving Colombia the ability to overcome the attempted pressure of the ‘Black Stars’ hopelessly extinguished in their farewell to the World Cup. Colombia completed the round of 16, with a duel against Switzerland where it will be the favorite to reach the quarterfinals, its ceiling until now and since 2014.

TECHNICAL SHEET.

–RESULT: COLOMBIA, 1 – GHANA, 0. (1-0, at halftime).

–ALIGNMENTS:

COLOMBIA: Vargas; Muñoz, Lucumi, Sánchez, Mojica; Puerta, Arias (Quintero, min.73), Lerma; James (Ríos, rest), Luis Díaz (Campaz, min.90), Córdoba (Suárez, min.8).

GHANA: Anti-Zigi; Mensah, Opuku, Luckanssen, Senaya (Seidu, min.13); Yirenkyi (Adu, 79 min), Partey, Sibo (Owusu, 62 min), Semenyo; Ayew (Nuamah, min.79), Williams (Fatawu, 62 min.).

–GOL:

1 – 0, min.14, Arias.

–REFEREE: Clément Turpin (FRA). Arias (min.12) and Ríos (min.78) were cautioned by Colombia. And to Yirenkyi (min.49), Fatawu (min.66) and Seidu (min.76) in Ghana.

–STADIUM: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas (United States).