Colombia, has extended their unbeaten run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to four matches as they dispatched Ghana 1-0 to reach the Round of 16 at Kansas City Stadium.
Jhon Arias’s 14th-minute strike proved enough for Néstor Lorenzo’s side, who controlled the contest from start to finish to book a last-16 meeting with Switzerland.
Ghana started brightly, with Thomas Partey going close with a powerful long-range effort inside two minutes. But Colombia, roared on by a sea of yellow-clad supporters, soon seized the initiative.
Luis Suárez, on for the injured Jhon Córdoba, burst clear down the right before squaring into the penalty area, where Arias caressed a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
The Black Stars were fortunate not to be further behind at half-time. Luis Díaz fired wide from inside the box, and Lawrence Ati-Zigi, restored to the starting lineup, produced a brilliant reaction save to claw away Johan Mojica’s downward header.
Díaz had the ball in the net in the 56th minute, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside after he stretched to convert Arias’s cross. Moments later, the Liverpool forward fired straight at Ati-Zigi from an unmarked position inside the penalty area.
One goal proved enough, as Colombia defended resolutely and prevented Ghana from registering a single shot on target.
The result extended Ghana’s winless record against South American nations at the World Cup.
Black Stars have now failed to win any of their four matches against CONMEBOL opposition, having lost 3-0 to Brazil in 2006, been eliminated on penalties by Uruguay in 2010, and lost 2-0 to Uruguay in 2022.
Ghana’s campaign ends after a valiant group-stage effort. The Black Stars opened with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama, held England to a goalless draw, and secured qualification for the knockout rounds despite a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group match.
Colombia will now face Switzerland on July 7 in Vancouver for a place in the quarter-finals. – GO
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