Standing between Colombia and a place in the World Cup round of 16 is a Ghana side that has already defied expectations. Credit: FCF via X.
Colombia beat Ghana 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup round of 32. La Tricolor will head up north to Vancouver, Canada to play Switzerland for a place in the World Cup Quarter-Finals next Tuesday.
The national team dominated extensive parts of the game and did not really suffer against a Ghana side that proved to be rockier than previously expected. Gustavo Puerta was once again the standout man for Colombia in midfield, as he ran the show. Jhon Arias’s goal was enough to secure Colombia a spot in the tournament’s best 16.
First Half
00′ | KICK OFF — After an emotional rendition of the national anthem, Colombia kicks off its World Cup round of 32 game against Ghana
1:15′ | CLOSE – Ghana comes close to scoring in the opening minutes of the game as Thomas Partey took a mid-range shot that drifted wide.
8:00′ | SUBSTITUTION – Luis Suarez comes on for John Cordoba, as Cordoba pulled his hamstring
13:00′ | GOAL – Jhon Arias Scores for COLOMBIA!!
23:00′ | Cooling Break!
38:00′ | CLOSE – Colombia comes close to scoring its second goal against Ghana through a Luis Diaz Effort.
45:00′ | CLOSE – Colombia comes close to scoring its second goal against Ghana after Daniel Muñoz set up Johan Mojica with a great cross. The Ghana goalkeeper was forced to make a great save after Mojica’s header.
Second half begins
45:00’| SUBSTITUTION – Colombian captain James Rodriguez is changed for Richard Rios
54:00’| Close!! – Gustavo Puerta forces yet another save from the Ghanaian goalkeeper.
55:00’| Close!! – Colombia got their second goal of the night disallowed as Luis Diaz was offside.
55:00’| Close!! – Luis Diaz forced the Ghanaian goalkeeper to make yet another outstanding save. Colombia is close to scoring their second.
69:00’| Cooling Break!
80:00’| CLOSE! – After a corner, Davinson Sanchez headed the ball and came close to putting Colombia two up.
83:00’| CLOSE! – Juan Fernando Quintero came close to scoring the goal of the tournament from a long-distance shot.
89:00’| SUBSTITUTION – Luis Diaz has been substituted for Jaminton Campaz.
91:00’| CLOSE – Richard Rios came close to sealing the game for Colombia through a header in the second post.
Colombia’s Line Up to Face Ghana in the World Cup Round of 32
Formation: 4-3-3
Camilo Vargas, Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, James Rodríguez (C), Luis Diaz and Jhon Cordoba.