World Cup
DR Congo’s Long Wait Continues as Colombia Clinch Knockout Spot
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Africa’s hopes of seeing DR Congo make a significant impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026 suffered a setback on Tuesday as the Leopards fell 1-0 to Colombia, extending a painful record that has now lasted more than half a century.
The defeat means DR Congo, formerly known as Zaire, have still not recorded a victory at the FIFA World Cup 52 years after their maiden appearance at the 1974 finals in Germany.
Despite a heroic display by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, the Central Africans were undone by a 76th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz, whose goal secured Colombia’s place in the Round of 32 and left DR Congo facing a must-win final group match against Uzbekistan.
For much of the contest, Mpasi appeared determined to frustrate the South Americans. The goalkeeper produced a series of outstanding saves to deny Colombia captain James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and Jhon Arias as the South Americans dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities.
Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal Colombia’s all-time record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, tested Mpasi early, but the Congolese shot-stopper repeatedly rose to the occasion.
The Leopards, who earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening Group K match, showed resilience and threatened on the counter-attack through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa. However, they lacked the cutting edge needed to convert their chances.
The African side also enjoyed passionate support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, DR Congo’s famous “living statue” supporter, who made his World Cup debut in the stands after missing the opening game due to Ebola-related quarantine restrictions.
As Colombia continued to pile on the pressure after the break, Mpasi remained the outstanding performer on the pitch, keeping his side in contention until Munoz finally found a way through with 14 minutes remaining.
Wissa had come closest to putting DR Congo ahead moments earlier, but his effort was blocked before Colombia punished the missed opportunity.
The result leaves Colombia with a perfect six points from two matches and guarantees their progression to the knockout stage ahead of a final group encounter with Portugal.
For DR Congo, however, qualification remains possible. The Leopards sit on one point and must now secure a positive result against Uzbekistan in their final Group K fixture to keep alive their hopes of becoming one of Africa’s representatives in the knockout rounds.
While the long-awaited first World Cup victory remains elusive, DR Congo’s spirited performances against Portugal and Colombia have demonstrated that the continent’s newest World Cup participants are capable of competing with established football nations. Their final group match will now determine whether their 2026 adventure extends beyond the group stage.
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Mexico stand on the brink of another historic milestone at the FIFA World Cup as they prepare to face Czechia in their final Group A match this Tuesday (Wednesday in Nigeria and other parts of Africa and Europe).
Having already become the first Concacaf nation to record three consecutive FIFA World Cup victories, El Tri can further cement their place in regional football history with a win over Czechia.
Victory would make Mexico the first team from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) to reach the landmark of 20 World Cup wins.
The Mexicans opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa before edging Korea Republic 1-0 in their second outing. Those results have already secured their passage to the knockout rounds and underlined their status as one of the tournament’s early success stories.
Mexico’s World Cup appearance record holder, Rafael Márquez, during his illustrious international career. The former captain featured in 19 FIFA World Cup matches across five tournaments from Korea/Japan 2002 to Russia 2018, establishing himself as one of El Tri’s most enduring and influential figures on football’s biggest stage.
Over the decades, Mexico have been Concacaf’s most consistent representatives at the World Cup, regularly advancing from the group stage and competing with the traditional powerhouses of world football. A 20th World Cup win would be another testament to their enduring presence on football’s biggest stage.
Standing in their way are a determined Czechia side still chasing a place in the knockout phase. But should Mexico emerge victorious, they will not only strengthen their position in Group A but also write a new chapter in Concacaf history as the first nation from the region to register 20 World Cup triumphs.
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A football commentator has been stripped of his World Cup credentials by FIFA after an expletive-laden tirade against the organisation and match officials during Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey in which Miguel Almiron was sent off.
Jorge Chipi Vera lost his composure on live television when Paraguay’s Almiron became the first player sent off at the tournament for violating a new rule that forbids players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.
Almiron was dismissed for remarks made to Turkey’s Mert Muldur with his hand covering his mouth in first-half stoppage time.
The furious broadcaster called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the referee “thieves”, accusing them of “killing football” as Paraguay were reduced to 10 men, but he later apologised and said on X late on Monday that his accreditation had been cancelled.
“During the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkey, I had an outburst,” Vera said in his lengthy apology.
“In the midst of my frustration over the expulsion of a player from my country, and feeling that my national team was being harmed, I used offensive and unacceptable expressions against the referee, FIFA, and its authorities.”
Vera said the sanction meant he can no longer participate in his media outlet’s World Cup coverage “either inside the stadiums or outside them” and it covers “any type of participation or coverage related to the World Cup”.
FIFA declined to comment, but a source familiar with the matter said the governing body considered Vera’s language unacceptable and his actions inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected of accredited broadcast personnel.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
The source suggested that, while FIFA had no problem with freedom of speech against the laws of the game, Vera’s repeated use of a highly offensive Spanish phrase directed at FIFA officials was viewed as particularly shocking.
FIFA banning journalists from tournaments is extremely rare.
Under former President Sepp Blatter, freelance investigative reporter Andrew Jennings was barred from all FIFA events following his allegations of corruption in soccer’s global governing body, many of which were subsequently vindicated in the U.S. courts.
Vera, who works for ABC Cardinal and ABC TV, also apologised to sponsors that support the platforms’ coverage and said he had sent a letter of apology to FIFA, taking full responsibility for his actions.
“Questioning a rule or disagreeing with a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did,” he added.
“I failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires.”
-Reuters
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Cristiano Ronaldo added another remarkable chapter to his legendary career by becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in six different tournaments.
The Portugal captain reached the milestone when he opened the scoring in his country’s Group K match against Uzbekistan in Houston, finishing clinically from close range after a cross from João Cancelo.
The goal ended a frustrating run of 10 matches without scoring at major international finals and further strengthened Ronaldo’s place among football’s greatest players.
Fact File: Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup Milestone
- Historic Achievement: First player to score in six FIFA World Cups.
- World Cup Goals: Equalled Portugal legend Eusébio’s record of nine World Cup goals.
- World Cup Appearances: Featured in every World Cup from Germany 2006 to USA-Canada-Mexico 2026.
- Scored at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
- International Goals: 144 goals, the highest total in men’s international football.
- International Caps: 230 appearances, a men’s world record.
- Opponent: Uzbekistan.
- Venue: Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas.
- Assist Provider: João Cancelo.
- Goal Type: Right-foot finish from six yards.
World Cup Timeline
- 2006 (Germany): First World Cup appearance and first World Cup goal.
- 2010 (South Africa): Scored in Portugal’s campaign.
- 2014 (Brazil): Added to his World Cup tally.
- 2018 (Russia): Produced one of the tournament’s iconic performances with a hat-trick against Spain.
- 2022 (Qatar): Became the first male player to score in five World Cups.
- 2026 (USA, Canada & Mexico): Extended the record to six World Cups.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo continues to rewrite football history, setting standards that may stand for generations.
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BET9JA FACT FILE: Mexico Chasing Historic 20th World Cup Victory
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