July 3, 2026; Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, U.S.; Colombia’s Jhon Arias celebrates scoring their first aim. Obligatory Credit score: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Pictures Jhon Arias scored the lone aim within the 14th minute and Colombia earned a spot within the World Cup’s spherical of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Ghana on Friday in Kansas Metropolis, Mo.
Arias’ aim held up because the Colombian protection did not permit Ghana to get a single shot on aim towards goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Colombia will face Switzerland within the spherical of 16 on Tuesday in Vancouver.
Colombia did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, however they did attain the spherical of 16 in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2014.
Lawrence Ati Zigi was stellar in aim with seven saves for Ghana.
Colombia had a 16-8 edge in pictures and positioned eight on the right track.
Luis Suarez arrange the Colombia aim when he despatched a cross from the correct facet towards the middle. The ball narrowly sailed over the heads of two gamers — one from every staff — to the wide-open Arias, who despatched a right-footed shot into the far nook.
Luis Diaz had a strong alternative for Colombia within the thirty ninth minute, however his close-range right-footed shot was large left.
Colombia stored the warmth on and had an opportunity within the first minute of first-half stoppage time. Daniel Munoz despatched a cross over to Johan Mojica, however his header was knocked apart by Zigi’s proper hand.
Zigi made two large saves in a brief span of the second half to maintain the margin at one.
Within the fifty fifth minute, Gustavo Puerta took a shot from the left facet and pinpointed it for the far put up, however Zigi knocked the ball away with each arms. Three minutes later, Diaz had one other close-range alternative, however Zigi once more thwarted his right-footed shot.
Colombia took one other shot at including to the lead on Juan Fernando Quintero’s nook kick within the 81st minute. Davinson Sanchez fought to search out positioning, however his header was saved by Zigi.
As time dwindled away, Colombia stored on the strain as Ghana struggled to return near an equalizer.
–Subject Stage Media
