Sporting’s forward provided the assist for Jhon Arias’s lone goal, and Colombia will face Switzerland in the round of 16.
Colombia lived up to expectations and secured a place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, beating Ghana, coached by Carlos Queiroz, 1-0 in the final match of the Round of 32. A goal by Jhon Arias in the 14th minute decided the match played in Kansas City, and put the South Americans on a path to face Switzerland.
The Colombian team started better after an initial scare, when Thomas Partey came close to opening the scoring for Ghana in the first few minutes. The response came quickly and included a Portuguese touch.
Called into the game before the ten-minute mark due to Jhon Córdoba’s injury, Luis Suárez needed only six minutes on the pitch to make the difference. The Sporting forward crossed from the right following a persistent attack and found Jhon Arias (14m), who finished for the only goal of the match.
From then on, Colombia took control of the match and created several opportunities to extend their lead. Luis Díaz came close to scoring a second before halftime, while Lawrence Ati-Zigi, returning from injury, kept postponing a heavier defeat with a series of decisive saves.
In the second half, Richard Ríos, Benfica’s midfielder, came on for James Rodríguez and helped maintain Colombia’s superiority. Gustavo Puerta, Luis Díaz, Davinson Sánchez and Ríos himself tested Ati=Zigi again, who was the main reason Ghana stayed in the game until the final whistle.
On the other side, the team managed by Carlos Queiroz showed many difficulties in creating danger. After Thomas Partey’s early opportunity, the Africans practically disappeared from the game offensively and finished the match without managing a single shot on target against the Colombian goal.
Colombia, coming off a goalless draw against Portugal in the group stage, thus returns to winning ways in knockout matches at a World Cup for the first time in 12 years. In the round of 16, the ‘cafeteros’ will face Switzerland next Tuesday in Vancouver.
For Carlos Queiroz, another World Cup campaign ends before the round of 16. The Portuguese coach, who managed Colombia between 2019 and 2020, failed to take Ghana any further and bids farewell to his fifth consecutive final tournament appearance.
The Moment: Suarez’s assist for the goal
Having just come on as a substitute for Jhon Cordoba’s injury, the Sporting forward needed only a few minutes to make his mark on the match after just eight minutes, setting up Jhon Arias for the winning goal with a precise cross from the right.
The Figure: Lawrence Ati=Zigi
Despite Ghana’s elimination, the goalkeeper was the best player on the African team. He prevented a heavier defeat with several high=level saves against Luis Diaz, Johan Mojica, Davinson Sanchez, and Richard Rios, keeping the score uncertain until the final moments.