Ghana, led by Carlos Queiroz, bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup after losing to Colombia.
Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0 in the match held in the round of 32 of the World Cup.
John Arias scored the only goal of the match for Colombia in the 14th minute.
The Colombian team secured a spot in the round of 16 to face Switzerland in the round of 16.
Ghana became the eighth African team to exit the World Cup after Tunisia, South Africa, Senegal, Algeria, Congo, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast.
The fortress fell
The Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, the current coach of Ghana and former coach of the Egyptian national team, applied his usual method and tight defensive system with the Ghanaian team.
Queiroz's method succeeded in leading Ghana past the group stage but failed to withstand the Colombian attack, which scored a goal and had another disallowed by Luis Diaz, in addition to many missed opportunities, while Queiroz's team showed clear caution.
Colombian coach Nestor Lorenzo said before the match in a press conference: "I don't know if Ghana will play with a compact defensive style. Maybe they want to surprise us or attack with all their might."
He continued, "If the African team chooses to retreat, we will need precision, movement, and long-distance shooting. Besides good performance, you need a bit of effectiveness and luck."
Queiroz maintained his defensive style to the extent that the possession percentage in the first half was 70% for Colombia compared to 30% for the Black Stars.
But Queiroz's fortress, which succeeded in leading Ghana past the group stage, fell against the Colombian team led by coach Nestor Lorenzo.
Formation
John Cordoba led Colombia's attack against Ghana with the presence of James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, and John Arias.
On the other hand, Lawrence Ati Zigi returned to guard Ghana's goal instead of Benjamin Asare after recovering from the injury he sustained against Panama in the first match.
Match description
The Colombian team started the match by imposing its control over the course of play and possession of the ball, and succeeded in opening the scoring early in the 14th minute, after Luis Suarez sent a precise cross, which John Arias met with a direct shot that settled in the right corner of Ghana's goal, announcing Colombia's lead with a goal without reply.
⚽🔥 The Colombian team opens the scoring through John Arias#WorldCup2026 | #Mundial2026 | #WorldCup#beINWC26 | #FIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/C1Z5QQqDCz
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 4, 2026
The Colombian team tried to enhance its lead, as Lawrence Ati Zigi saved a powerful shot from Luis Diaz from outside the penalty area, before the Colombian team continued its pressure through possession and passing exchanges, while the Ghanaian team relied on counterattacks and crosses without real threat.
The Ghanaian team responded with several offensive attempts, most notably Antoine Semenyo's shot that hit the defense, and Jordan Ayew's inaccurate header, while Luis Diaz and Luis Suarez missed two clear chances for Colombia, before goalkeeper Ati Zigi shone again and saved Johan Mojica's header, ending the first half with Colombia leading 1-0.
The Colombian team started the second half by making a substitution, bringing on Richard Rios instead of James Rodriguez, before Rios missed a dangerous opportunity.
The Colombian team continued its pressure until Luis Diaz succeeded in the 56th minute in scoring the second goal, after taking advantage of a precise pass from Jefferson Lerma, breaking away with the goalkeeper and placing the ball in the left corner, but the referee disallowed it for offside.
The Ghanaian team tried to get back into the match, and Thomas Partey almost reduced the deficit with a shot that went past the post, while Carlos Queiroz was forced to make two substitutions due to injury, while the Ghanaian team continued to possess the ball at times without converting it into goals.
The Colombian team came close to adding a third goal, as goalkeeper Ati Zigi saved a new breakaway from Luis Diaz, and a powerful shot from Juan Quintero went past the post, while Davinson Sanchez missed a chance from a header, and Nestor Lorenzo made several substitutions to maintain his team's lead.
The referee added six minutes of stoppage time, and the Colombian team continued to retain the ball and slow down the pace of play, while the Ghanaian team failed to threaten the goal in the final minutes, ending the match with Colombia winning 1-0 and advancing to the next round.
