Colombia – DR Congo Preview – Can Colombia close out Group K early?
Group K on 24 June: Colombia can effectively seal their last-sixteen place, while DR Congo are looking at elimination if they leave without three points.
Colombia top the group after a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in their opener, Daniel Muñoz’s volley among the goals. DR Congo drew Portugal 1-1 in a result tighter than most expected. Yoane Wissa’s header in that game was DR Congo’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, and it came from genuine attacking intent rather than a moment of good fortune. One point from the hardest fixture in the group is a reasonable return, it stops being one the moment they fail to follow it up.
Win here and Colombia go into MD3 against Portugal needing only a draw, a very different position to arriving at that game still needing a result against one of the tournament’s heavyweights. DR Congo’s path is narrower: win here, beat Uzbekistan in MD3, and they are still alive. Anything less and the final round is irrelevant to them.
Desabre cannot ask his side to sit in and absorb, they have to go and win the game, and that is exactly the kind of open, committed opponent Colombia’s forwards thrive against. Luis Díaz leads that line in excellent form off the back of a strong club season. James Rodríguez, at his third World Cup, came through a minor pre-tournament injury and is available to control the tempo when Colombia want to slow things down, coach Néstor Lorenzo confirmed as much.
The France vs Iraq preview on the same matchday has a comparable setup: a side with the upper hand against opponents who have to come forward, and why those games rarely play out as cleanly as the favourites expect.
Colombia – DR Congo Betting Tips
Betting Tip: Colombia to win
Colombia are the better side, they arrive with momentum from a convincing opener, and they have a clear incentive to wrap this up tonight rather than carry qualification anxiety into the Portugal game. DR Congo pushing high creates the space Díaz is built to exploit, and Colombia have already shown they can finish their chances. Back them to win.
Check the current World Cup betting odds at Campeonbet before the 02:00 GMT kick-off on 24 June and get your picks in while the lines are open.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score
DR Congo have to score, so the real question is whether Colombia keep them out. Wissa showed against Portugal he is a genuine aerial threat at this level, and Colombia conceded in their opener against Uzbekistan, a side making their World Cup debut who are yet to score again in the tournament. DR Congo are more dangerous than Uzbekistan, and a defence pushed higher by necessity will have gaps to exploit. Both sides scoring fits how this game is likely to be played.
What the group table says going in
After one matchday: Colombia on three points, Portugal and DR Congo level on one each, Uzbekistan yet to score. DR Congo are still in it. Win tonight and they go level with Portugal heading into MD3, with a far easier final opponent (Uzbekistan) than Portugal face (Colombia). Lose and their tournament is done in all but name.
The Norway vs Senegal preview is another MD2 fixture where one side goes into the game staring directly at the exit.
The Jordan vs Algeria preview covers similar territory, another group stage game where the wrong result leaves one side with nothing left to play for.
Frequently asked questions
When does Colombia vs DR Congo kick off?
Kick-off is at 02:00 GMT on 24 June 2026. The venue is Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico.
Who is the favourite?
Colombia are the stronger side and come in as group leaders, but the market rates this as a genuinely open contest. A DR Congo team that held Portugal to 1-1 and scored themselves is not straightforward opposition for anyone.
What is our main tip for Colombia vs DR Congo?
Colombia to win. The quality gap is real, the motivation to settle things tonight is obvious, and DR Congo pushing bodies forward will create space for Díaz. Both teams to score is the secondary pick, DR Congo have to attack, and Colombia leaked a goal against Uzbekistan.
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