KANSAS CITY, USA (EFE). The Colombia national team secured its qualification for the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Ghana 1-0 this Saturday, thanks to an early goal by Jhon Arias at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.
You might be interested in: Argentina survives the Cape Verde scare and advances to the round of 16 with a decisive goal from Messi
The only goal of the match came in the 14th minute. After the injury of striker Jhon Córdoba just eight minutes after kickoff, Luis Javier Suárez entered the pitch and, in his first intervention, sent a cross from the right flank that found Jhon Arias, who appeared at the far post to push the ball into the back of the net.
The team led by Néstor Lorenzo had several opportunities to extend the lead, but lacked effectiveness in finishing. However, the solid defensive performance allowed them to maintain the lead without major scares against a Ghanaian side that tried to react, although they generated little danger.
With this victory, Colombia maintains its defensive strength in the tournament, where it has only conceded one goal in four matches played.
The coffee growers’ team will now face Switzerland in the round of 16, in a match scheduled for next July 7 in the Canadian city of Vancouver, in search of a ticket to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
The qualification also represents a rematch for Colombia, which eight years after its elimination in the round of 16 of the 2018 Russia World Cup, is once again among the 16 best teams in the tournament.
