Colombia reaches World Cup round of 16 after edging Ghana
Jhon Arias scored in the 14th minute as Colombia beat Ghana 1-0 and booked a Tuesday match against Switzerland in Vancouver.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Colombia advanced to the World Cup round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Ghana on Friday, Reuters reported. Jhon Arias supplied the decisive finish, sending the South American side into a Tuesday meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver.
The match was played at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City on July 3, according to an AFP photo caption from the game. Reuters reported that Arias scored in the 14th minute from close range after Luis Suarez delivered the cross.
Suarez had just entered the match as a substitute for the injured Jhon Cordoba, Reuters reported. The early change quickly produced Colombia’s breakthrough and left Ghana chasing the game for the remainder of the match.
Arias strike decides the match
Reuters reported that Arias’ goal was the only one of the game. The midfielder converted from near the goal after Suarez’s service, giving Colombia a lead it held through the final whistle.
Colombia had a chance to extend its advantage in the second half, according to Reuters. Luis Diaz put the ball in the net in the 56th minute, but the effort was disallowed for offside.
That ruling kept the score at 1-0 and left Ghana within reach, but Reuters reported that Colombia controlled much of the contest. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was called on repeatedly and made three notable saves.
Switzerland next in Vancouver
The victory put Colombia into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Reuters reported. Its next opponent will be Switzerland, with the match scheduled for Tuesday in Vancouver.
Reuters did not report further details on Cordoba’s injury or the extent of his absence after he left early in the match. The key immediate outcome for Colombia was secured by Arias, whose first-half goal stood up as the winner.
For Ghana, Reuters reported no goal and no equalizer despite Ati Zigi’s saves keeping the margin narrow. Colombia’s win, built on the early Arias finish and a defense that protected the lead, was enough to move on to the next round.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.