I think the best team won – Carlos Queiroz after Ghana’s World Cup exit

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz said Colombia deserved to win after the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat in Kansas City.

Jhon Arias scored the only goal of the Round of 32 match in the 14th minute as Colombia progressed to the last 16, where they will face Switzerland in Vancouver.

Ghana struggled to create clear chances and did not register a shot on target, with Colombia controlling long periods of the contest in front of a vocal, yellow-clad support.

Queiroz said his side had been unable to match Colombia’s control and quality in possession.

“They controlled the game much better,” he said.

“The passing, the movement, they damaged our fitness and our ability to recover the ball and try to go forward.

“We tried to go forward and create opportunities, but for some reason the final pass, the final service, did not have the quality that was necessary. So, I think the best team won.”

Colombia’s winning goal came after an early injury forced striker Jhon Cordoba off with an apparent groin problem.

His replacement, Luis Suarez, made an immediate impact. The forward delivered a precise cross to the back post, where Arias had found space and finished calmly beyond Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.

The goal came moments after Ghana had suffered an injury setback of their own, with right-back Marvin Senaya leaving the field with a hamstring problem.

Ati-Zigi made several important saves to keep Ghana within reach, but the Black Stars could not find the attacking quality needed to threaten an equaliser.

Colombia’s disciplined defence dealt comfortably with Ghana’s attempts to build pressure, while the South Americans continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack.

The result extended Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo’s unbeaten run at the tournament, following a group-stage campaign in which his side finished top of Group K ahead of Portugal, Uzbekistan and DR Congo.

For Ghana, the defeat brings an end to a World Cup journey that had raised hopes at times but finished in frustration at the first knockout stage.

Jamaldeen Wiayuka

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