Colombia edge Ghana 1-0 to reach round of 16

Colombia claimed the final spot in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0 on Friday (local time) at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri, with a 14th-minute goal from Johan Arias proving to be the only score of the match.

The result sends Colombia into the round of 16 for the first time since the 2018 Russia World Cup, eight years ago. Their best-ever finish came at the 2014 Brazil tournament, where they reached the quarterfinals. Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Colombia had advanced to the round of 32 by finishing first in Group K with an unbeaten record of two wins and one draw — seven points — and carried that momentum into the knockout stage.

Colombia will face Switzerland in the round of 16 on Wednesday in Vancouver, Canada.

Ghana, eliminated in the group stage at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, reached the knockout round this time but went out in their first match.

With that result completing all round-of-32 fixtures, the full round-of-16 bracket — running Sunday through Wednesday — has been confirmed.

The matchups are: France vs. Paraguay, Argentina vs. Egypt, Canada vs. Morocco, Portugal vs. Spain, the United States vs. Belgium, Brazil vs. Norway, Mexico vs. England, and Switzerland vs. Colombia.

Both sides were dealt early injury blows on Friday.

Just eight minutes in, Colombia starting striker Juan Córdoba was forced off with an injury and replaced by Luis Suárez.

About five minutes later, Ghana fullback Marvin Senaya could not continue due to a hamstring problem and was replaced by Alidu Seidu.

Shortly after, the decisive goal arrived in the 14th minute.

Suárez, working down the right flank, had an initial cross blocked but tried again, and Arias got a foot to it to put Colombia ahead.

Ghana failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match.