Tens of thousands of jubilant Colombia fans flooded the streets of the capital, Bogotá, in celebration after their national team defeated Ghana’s Black Stars 1-0 to secure a place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Moments after the final whistle, the city turned into a carnival as supporters waved flags, sounded car horns and celebrated the historic victory.
Colombia extended their unbeaten run at the tournament to four matches with a disciplined display at Kansas City Stadium. Jhon Arias scored the decisive goal in the 14th minute, giving Néstor Lorenzo’s side a victory that sets up a Round of 16 clash against Switzerland.
The South Americans controlled the match from start to finish, while Ghana’s World Cup campaign came to an end following the narrow defeat.
Ghana started brightly, with Thomas Partey going close with a powerful long-range effort inside two minutes. But Colombia, roared on by a sea of yellow-clad supporters, soon seized the initiative.
Luis Suárez, on for the injured Jhon Córdoba, burst clear down the right before squaring into the penalty area, where Arias caressed a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
The Black Stars were fortunate not to be further behind at half-time. Luis Díaz fired wide from inside the box, and Lawrence Ati-Zigi, restored to the starting lineup, produced a brilliant reaction save to claw away Johan Mojica’s downward header.
Díaz had the ball in the net in the 56th minute, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside after he stretched to convert Arias’s cross. Moments later, the Liverpool forward fired straight at Ati-Zigi from an unmarked position inside the penalty area.
One goal proved enough, as Colombia defended resolutely and prevented Ghana from registering a single shot on target.
The result extended Ghana’s winless record against South American nations at the World Cup. The Black Stars have now failed to win any of their four matches against CONMEBOL opposition, having lost 3-0 to Brazil in 2006, been eliminated on penalties by Uruguay in 2010, and lost 2-0 to Uruguay in 2022.
Ghana’s campaign ends after a valiant group-stage effort. The Black Stars opened with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama, held England to a goalless draw, and secured qualification for the knockout rounds despite a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group match.
Colombia will now face Switzerland on July 7 in Vancouver for a place in the quarter-finals.
Source: Ghana//Seth Ofori Aceampong (Sir Scandy)
