Jhon Arias’ strike sent Colombia to a World Cup 2026 last-16 tie against Switzerland as Los Cafeteros kept a third successive clean sheet at the finals and had a goal ruled out in a dominant win over Ghana.
Substitute Luis Suarez crossed for Arias to finish first time in the 14th minute in Kansas City, where Ghana’s Lawrence Ati Zigi brilliantly tipped Johan Mojica’s header out on the stroke of half-time.
Luis Diaz slotted past Ati Zigi as part of a slick move after the break but was correctly adjudged offside and sent a shot straight at the returning goalkeeper when well placed.
Colombia will meet the Nati in Vancouver on July 7 (21:00 BST), followed by a potential quarter-final against Argentina or Egypt in Kansas City five days later (02:00).
Colombia vs Ghana: Rodriguez rested at World Cup
Colombia fans have had plenty to enjoy from a team who were unfortunate not to complete a perfect group stage when Davinson Sanchez had a late header disallowed against Portugal on matchday three.
Perhaps the only note of concern for supporters on this occasion was key playmaker James Rodriguez’s substitution after a quiet first half.
The top scorer at the 2014 World Cup made way for Richard Rios. “I’m not surprised,” former England winger Andros Townsend told ITV.
“He looked really leggy and was struggling to get around. He just looked like he couldn’t quite get the pace of the game.”
World Cup 2026: Ghana go out meekly
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz was praised for his tactical acumen after his team drew 0-0 with England on matchday two, having beaten Panama with a 95th-minute winner in their opener.
A 2-1 defeat to Croatia meant they advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and a familiar lack of cutting edge was evident here despite the presence of Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo in attack.
Queiroz’s players performed creditably again and worked their way into promising positions enough to have threatened more, only to finish without an attempt on target.
Defender Marvin Senaya was replaced by Alidu Seidu after 13 minutes, five minutes after Colombia also suffered an injury when Jhon Cordoba made way for Suarez.
World Cup 2026: Colombia team vs Ghana
Crystal Palace wideman Daniel Munoz regained his place for Colombia, having scored once in each of their first two fixtures and set up Sanchez’s disallowed goal after replacing Santiago Arias in the 87th minute against Portugal.
Arias and Deiver Machado made way, with Mallorca left-back Mojica also coming in.
Colombia starting XI: Camilo Vargas, Daniel Munoz, Jhon Lucumi, Gustavo Puerta, Johan Mojica, Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Diaz, Jhon Cordoba
Colombia substitutes: David Ospina, Alvaro Montero, Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Willer Ditta, Deiver Machado, Kevin Castano, Richard Rios, Jorge Carrascal, Juan Portilla, Juan Quintero, Cucho Hernandez, Jaminton Campaz, Luis Suarez, Andres Gomez
World Cup 2026: Ghana full line up vs Colombia
Centre-back Jerome Opoku was back for Ghana after missing their defeat to Croatia through injury.
Semenyo started again despite suffering ankle discomfort at the end of the group stage and Ati-Zigi was restored following a groin issue.
Caleb Yirenkyi and Inaki Williams also came in. Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Elisha Owusu and Kamaldeen Sulemana moved to the bench.
Ghana starting XI: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Derrick Luckassen, Marvin Senaya, Caleb Yirenkyi, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams
Ghana substitutes: Joseph Anang, Benjamin Asare, Alidu Seidu, Jonas Adjetey, Abdul Mumin, Baba Rahman, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Elisha Owusu, Augustine Boakye, Abdul Fatawu, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Prince Adu
World Cup 2026: Colombia v Ghana stats
- Colombia have won each of their last four World Cup matches against African nations, while Ghana have failed to prevail in any of their three games at the finals against South American opposition
- They have won each of their last four World Cup matches against CAF sides, all by margins of exactly one goal. However, they were eliminated in their only previous knockout game against such opposition (2-1 against Cameroon in 1990 after extra-time)
- Los Cafeteros could record three successive World Cup clean sheets for the first time
- James Rodriguez made a record-equalling 10th World Cup start for Colombia, moving level with Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincon
- The playmaker surpassed Valderrama and Rincon for the most games for Colombia at the finals (11) by playing against Portugal on matchday three
- In that 0-0 draw, Colombia produced their most attempts (24) in a World Cup game since records began in 1966
- Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz briefly managed Colombia between 2019 and 2020, departing following a poor start to their unsuccessful 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign
- Queiroz is the second coach to appear at five successive editions of the World Cup, after Bora Milutinovic
- At 73 years and 108 days of age, Queiroz briefly became the oldest manager to win a finals game following the last-gasp victory over Panama, although South Africa’s Hugo Broos then overtook him (74 years, 75 days)
- The Black Stars’ average of 36.1% of possession during the group stage was the second-lowest of any side who advanced, after Paraguay (33.9%)
