World Cup 2026: Colombia tops Group K, Democratic Republic of Congo advance as eighth African team

The final matches of Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw Colombia and Portugal draw 0-0, with Colombia winning the group and Portugal finishing second. The Democratic Republic of Congo secured third place by defeating Uzbekistan 3-1, becoming the historic eighth African team to advance from the tournament. In Group L, England won the group by beating Panama 2-0, while Croatia advanced in second place.

Several final group stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reached their conclusion on Saturday night, bringing dramatic turns of events.

Colombia and Portugal draw

The decisive match of Group K took place between Colombia and Portugal: a win for Portugal would have secured first place in the group, while Colombia only needed to avoid defeat to progress. The final result was 0-0, meaning Colombia finished the group in first place and Portugal in second.

In the parallel match, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan played a genuinely more dramatic encounter. Eldor Shomurodov put Uzbekistan ahead as early as the 10th minute, and this score held on the board until the 68th minute. Then Yoane Wissa converted a penalty for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ten minutes later, Fiston Mayele scored, virtually putting the Democratic Republic of Congo in front. Wissa sealed the victory with a precise long-range strike in the first minute of extra time, the final score 3-1.

Democratic Republic of Congo makes history

With the victory, the Democratic Republic of Congo secured its place as the eighth African team to advance at the current World Cup final tournament, a historic achievement for African football.

England wins Group L

In the final round of Group L, England defeated Panama 2-0. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring from Bukayo Saka's corner kick, and Harry Kane doubled England's lead with a header from a Jude Bellingham cross. England advanced to the knockout stage as group winners.

Croatia secured second place with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana, with Nikola Vlasic scoring the decisive goal with a header, receiving the assist from 40-year-old Luka Modrić. According to Opta, Modrić became the oldest player to provide an assist at a World Cup final tournament at 40 years and 291 days since 1966. Ghana finished the group in third place and also advanced to the knockout stage.

Next matches

Croatia will face Portugal, the second-place team in Group K, in the next round. Ghana will meet Colombia, the Group K winners. England will next play against the third-place team from Group I or K.