Colombia faced a challenging match against DR Congo, where they encountered the formidable goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made a series of remarkable saves. Despite his efforts, Mpasi was finally defeated by a deflected shot, allowing Colombia to secure their second consecutive victory and advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
The decisive goal came from Daniel Muñoz, the Crystal Palace right-back, who scored his second goal in as many games. Cutting in from the right, Muñoz capitalized on a moment when several DRC players were distracted by a penalty appeal, unleashing a shot that deflected off Steve Kapuadi, leaving Mpasi unable to respond at his near post. Following this, Mpasi continued to thwart Colombia’s efforts, with the linesman disallowing two impressive attempts from Luis Díaz.
While Colombian fans dominated the stands, with over 90% dressed in yellow, one fan stood out: Michel Kuka Mboladinga, a supporter from DR Congo who bears a resemblance to Patrice Lumumba. Dressed in vibrant national colors and remaining still during the match, he captured attention as he stood on a stool with his right arm raised. After missing DRC’s initial match against Portugal, he arrived accompanied by a bodyguard, receiving a warm welcome from Colombian fans in the parking lot.
Similar to their first game against Uzbekistan, the Colombian team had to wait for the breakthrough, though this time it was not due to a lack of scoring opportunities. Dominating midfield play early on, Colombia seemed destined to score. Mpasi denied attempts by Jhon Arias and Muñoz, who later hit the side netting. The goalkeeper made an impressive dive to deflect a shot from James Rodríguez and blocked a long-range effort from Johan Mojica. When Muñoz finally bundled the ball into the net, it was disallowed due to a marginal offside call, all occurring within the first 20 minutes.
As the match progressed, the hydration break disrupted Colombia’s momentum. Coach Sébastien Desabre, who has led DR Congo to their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, made strategic adjustments to tighten the midfield, complicating Colombia’s path to goal.
Five minutes into the second half, Mpasi denied another chance from Dìaz with a left-footed save, but Arias missed the rebound. The frustration was palpable, evident in the reaction of the former Wolves midfielder, who buried his head in his hands. With Juan Quintero, now 33, coming on for Rodríguez, it underscored Colombia’s growing urgency. Breaking down a solid defense is never easy, and Colombia sought fresh ideas to unlock the opposing backline.
Meanwhile, DR Congo’s back five showcased excellent defensive organization, supported by a midfield trio, with Yoane Wissa connecting play to a lone striker. Although they had the first shot of the game, with Edo Kayembe narrowly missing in the opening minute, they quickly retreated into a defensive shell.
They nearly held on to secure a vital point, yet the risk of solely defending can lead to unfortunate turns of fate. While Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, was the site of Muhammad Ali’s famous rope-a-dope against George Foreman, this DRC team struggled to counterattack against a weary opponent, despite a late long-range effort from Nathanaël Mbuku forcing a save from Camilo Vargas. Nevertheless, their resilience was commendable, and a victory over Uzbekistan in their final match would likely see them advance.
Ultimately, this match illustrated that Colombia’s persistence ultimately broke through DR Congo’s determined defense.
- World Cup 2026
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- Democratic Republic of the Congo football team
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