Who will Colombia face in round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026 after beating Ghana?
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Colombia won their first knockout World Cup game in 12 years.
Jhon Arias scored off a precise cross from Luis Suárez. Colombia beat Ghana on a hot night at Arrowhead Stadium, progressing to the World Cup round of 16 with a 1-0 win Friday night.
This was Colombia’s second World Cup knockout-stage victory. The first since reaching the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014.
Colombia attacker Jhon Córdoba looked to have injured his groin minutes into the game. It prompted coach Néstor Lorenzo to bring Suárez, Sporting CP’s star, off the bench as an early substitution.
He made an immediate impact on the game. In the 14th minute, Daniel Muñoz sent the ball to Suárez, who fired it across the front of the goal. Arias, who was ready, tipped it past Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi for a 1-0 lead, which was the only goal of the game.
Ghana failed to register a single attempt on goal. Colombia maintained their third consecutive shutout.
Also read: Colombia 1-0 Ghana: Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash
Who will Colombia face in FIFA World Cup round of 16?
After defeating Ghana 1-0 in the round of 32, Colombia will face Switzerland, which overcame Algeria 2-0 to seal its position. Both sides topped their respective groups. They will now take on each other, which could prove to be another World Cup classic.
Los Cafeteros have been impressive so far. Their three clean sheets in a row have illustrated their defensive potency. Meanwhile, the A-Team, who boast brilliant attacking threats, will be determined to test the South American giants’ defence.
A win for either of the sides will see them reach the quarter-final. There they will face the winner of the matchup between Argentina and Egypt.
Who will Colombia face in the FIFA World Cup round of 16?
They will next face Switzerland.
When will the game be played?
It will be played on 8th July, 1:30 am IST.
Where will the game be played?
BC Place in British Columbia, Canada.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.