Colombia’s Daniel Muñoz delivers knockout blow to DR Congo with deflected wonder

Colombia’s World Cup campaign in Guadalajara could not have been more different to England’s goalless stalemate in Houston on the same night. While Gareth Southgate’s side laboured to a point against Ghana, Néstor Lorenzo’s team produced a dominant display against DR Congo, only for their breakthrough to arrive in the 76th minute through a deflected strike from Daniel Muñoz. The Crystal Palace right-back, already on the scoresheet against Uzbekistan, doubled his tally as Colombia secured top spot in Group K and a last-32 tie against the best third-placed team.

Muñoz’s moment of magic breaks DR Congo’s resolve

The deadlock held until the 76th minute, when Colombia finally breached a stubborn DR Congo defence. Muñoz, drifting infield from the right, received the ball on the edge of the box and cut inside, drawing a cluster of defenders who were distracted by a penalty appeal in the area. His shot struck Steve Kapuadi’s trailing leg and ricocheted past Lionel Mpasi at the near post. The deflection wrong-footed the Le Havre goalkeeper, who had been a constant thorn in Colombia’s side with a series of acrobatic saves. “Our goalkeeper was excellent today,” admitted DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre. “But I’m not surprised. He has been playing well for us.”

The goal owed little to fortune beyond the deflection itself. Colombia had peppered the DR Congo goal with 20 attempts, including a 50th-minute save by Mpasi to deny Luis Díaz from close range, and a 6th-minute header from Muñoz that was ruled out for offside. Even after the breakthrough, Díaz blazed a 79th-minute effort into the far corner only for the flag to rise for offside. The Trionda ball, which has been blamed for goalkeeping errors elsewhere in the tournament, held firm here, but Mpasi’s heroics ensured DR Congo stayed in contention until the final quarter.

The Colombian machine grinds forward

Lorenzo’s side controlled midfield from the start, probing between the lines but frustrated by Mpasi’s reflexes. Jhon Arias forced a save in the opening exchanges, and Muñoz himself fired into the side-netting before the DR Congo keeper made five stops in the first 20 minutes alone. The pattern mirrored Colombia’s opener against Uzbekistan, where they dominated yet waited until the 83rd minute for their first goal. This time, patience paid off earlier, though the South Americans will feel they should have added to their tally.

Colombia’s yellow-clad support, making up over 90% of the 45,358 crowd at Estadio Chivas, witnessed a performance built on structure and persistence. Lorenzo’s post-match assessment was blunt: “We should have scored more. With these teams you have to find the spaces between the lines. If not, if you play in a structured way, they pressure you and hit on the counter.” The coach’s words underscore a side that is tactically disciplined but still refining its finishing in front of goal.

DR Congo’s near-miss and the tiebreakers ahead

For all Mpasi’s heroics, DR Congo’s reward is a must-win clash with Uzbekistan on Sunday to secure a place in the knockout rounds. A draw would still be enough for Colombia to top Group K, while a defeat would drop them to second and set up a potential last-32 tie against England in Toronto if both sides progress. The expanded format means third-placed teams now carry significant weight, and DR Congo’s path to the knockout stages hinges on their final performance. World Cup 2026 tiebreakers will decide who joins them, with goal difference and head-to-head records likely to play decisive roles.

Beyond the pitch, DR Congo’s unlikely mascot stole the show. Michel Kuka Mboladinga, a fan dressed in a brightly coloured suit resembling Patrice Lumumba, stood motionless in the stands, right arm raised, becoming an improbable symbol of his nation’s resistance. He had missed DR Congo’s opening game in Houston but arrived in Guadalajara with a bodyguard wearing leopard print, greeted by Colombian fans in the car park. His presence, like Mpasi’s saves, was a reminder that this tournament thrives on stories as much as statistics.

Colombia, meanwhile, can reflect on a night where their technical quality and tactical nous prevailed. Muñoz’s goal was the difference, but it was the collective endeavour that secured their passage to the last 32. As for England, their goalless draw in Houston leaves them with work to do before they discover their potential Round of 32 opponents. For now, though, it is Colombia who have the momentum—and the magic.