Jhon Arias fired Colombia ahead against Ghana after 14 minutes in Kansas City on Saturday to put the Group K winners on course for a last-16 tie against Switzerland
Luis Suarez, who had come on for Jhon Cordoba, sent in a cross from the right to locate unmarked Palmeiras livewire Arias for the emphatic opener.
“Look at what it means to all the Colombian supporters in this stadium,” former England winger Andros Townsend told ITV.
“That’s not an easy finish because he’s got to get there before it bounces. It’s a lot harder than it looks.”
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Colombia vs Ghana: World Cup underdogs ‘have to come out’
Colombia bossed possession and Townsend suggested Ghana, who kept two clean sheets during the group stage, would have to relent on their low-block approach.
“Colombia crafted that nicely,” he added. “Just what the doctor ordered. Now Ghana have to come out.”
The Black Stars lost Marvin Senaya to a 13th-minute injury, replacing the right-back with Alidu Seidu.
World Cup 2026: Colombia team vs Ghana
Crystal Palace wideman Daniel Munoz regained his place for Colombia, having scored once in each of their first two fixtures and set up Davinson Sanchez’s disallowed goal after replacing Santiago Arias in the 87th minute against Portugal.
Arias and Deiver Machado made way, with Mallorca left-back Johan Mojica also coming in.
Suarez scored four goals in South American qualifying, putting the forward level with the likes of Argentina’s Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Colombia starting XI: Camilo Vargas, Daniel Munoz, Jhon Lucumi, Gustavo Puerta, Johan Mojica, Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Diaz, Jhon Cordoba
Colombia substitutes: David Ospina, Alvaro Montero, Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Willer Ditta, Deiver Machado, Kevin Castano, Richard Rios, Jorge Carrascal, Juan Portilla, Juan Quintero, Cucho Hernandez, Jaminton Campaz, Luis Suarez, Andres Gomez
World Cup 2026: Ghana full line up vs Colombia
Centre-back Jerome Opoku was back for Ghana after missing their defeat to Croatia through injury.
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo started again despite suffering ankle discomfort at the end of the group stage and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi returned following a groin issue.
Caleb Yirenkyi and Inaki Williams also came in. Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Elisha Owusu and Kamaldeen Sulemana moved to the bench.
Ghana starting XI: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Derrick Luckassen, Marvin Senaya, Caleb Yirenkyi, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams
Ghana substitutes: Joseph Anang, Benjamin Asare, Alidu Seidu, Jonas Adjetey, Abdul Mumin, Baba Rahman, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Elisha Owusu, Augustine Boakye, Abdul Fatawu, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Prince Adu
Where to watch Colombia v Ghana: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Saturday was at 02:30 BST (21:30 ET / 18:30 PT, both Friday). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV1.
Streaming is via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: Colombia v Ghana stats
- Colombia have won each of their last four World Cup matches against African nations, while Ghana have failed to prevail in any of their three games at the finals against South American opposition
- They have won each of their last four World Cup matches against CAF sides, all by margins of exactly one goal. However, they were eliminated in their only previous knockout game against such opposition (2-1 against Cameroon in 1990 after extra-time)
- Los Cafeteros could record three successive World Cup clean sheets for the first time
- James Rodriguez made a record-equalling 10th World Cup start for Colombia, moving level with Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincon
- The playmaker surpassed Valderrama and Rincon for the most games for Colombia at the finals (11) by playing against Portugal on matchday three
- In that 0-0 draw, Colombia produced their most attempts (24) in a World Cup game since records began in 1966
- Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz briefly managed Colombia between 2019 and 2020, departing following a poor start to their unsuccessful 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign
- Queiroz is the second coach to appear at five successive editions of the World Cup, after Bora Milutinovic
- At 73 years and 108 days of age, Queiroz briefly became the oldest manager to win a finals game following the last-gasp victory over Panama, although South Africa’s Hugo Broos then overtook him (74 years, 75 days)
- The Black Stars’ average of 36.1% of possession during the group stage was the second-lowest of any side who advanced, after Paraguay (33.9%)
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