The numbers that backed Colombia’s control

The match data is one-sided in the key attacking metrics. Colombia fired 20 shots to Ghana’s 8 and landed 8 on target, while Ghana finished with 0 on target. Inside the box, Colombia attempted 12 shots to Ghana’s 2, which tallies neatly with a 2.18 to 0.26 expected goals advantage. They also created 5 big chances and converted one, while Ghana created none. Colombia’s passing volume stood out at 586 attempts and 532 accurate, compared to 376 and 312 for Ghana.

Territory also told a clear story. Colombia had 61 percent possession and made 55 final-third entries, although Ghana were close with 52. The quality of the ball into dangerous areas proved the difference, as Colombia connected on 5 of 15 crosses and hit 32 of 55 long balls, while Ghana managed 2 of 15 crosses and 9 of 47 long balls. Corners finished 3-2 to Colombia, another small pointer toward who played higher up the pitch. Add it up and the shot profile plus passing accuracy explain the 1-0 that could have been wider.

Setups, duels and territory battles

Colombia lined up 4-3-3 and used their full-backs well, with Daniel Muñoz joining midfield lines and Johan Mojica providing width on the left. Ghana went 4-1-4-1 and tried to stretch the game on the wings through Antoine Semenyo and Iñaki Williams, supported by Thomas Partey from deeper areas. The Black Stars actually edged the overall duels 53 percent to 47 percent and led the ground duels 55 percent. Colombia answered by winning the aerials 58 percent, which helped them defend their box and clear danger.

Final-third efficiency went Colombia’s way. Their “final third phase” passing returned 99 of 122 for 81 percent success against Ghana’s 47 of 86 at 55 percent. That quality carried into clearances and structure, with Colombia recording 25 clearances to Ghana’s 11 and keeping the central lanes clean. Interceptions and recoveries were level at 5 and 41 each, proof that Ghana worked to disrupt but struggled to turn regains into shots. Colombia were flagged offside twice and committed 14 fouls to Ghana’s 10, a small price for controlling the middle and protecting a lead. In short, Ghana’s shape kept them in reach, but Colombia’s precision decided the rhythm.

Player of the Match: Lawrence Ati Zigi (Sofascore Rating 9.3)

Ghana’s goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was the standout performer on the pitch, earning a Sofascore Rating of 9.3. He produced 7 saves, including 4 from inside the box, and registered 1.92 goals prevented. That is an elite shot-stopping return in any knockout tie. His positioning and reactions under pressure kept Ghana alive when Colombia’s attack pushed late on.

Ati Zigi was busy with his feet too. He completed 25 of 36 passes, recovered 6 loose balls, and punched once in traffic when crosses crowded the six-yard area. He also logged 46 touches and managed 90 minutes without the benefit of defensive dominance in front of him. For context, Colombia posted 8 shots on target and 5 big chances, and Ati Zigi dealt with enough of them to make the final score respectable. On a night where Ghana had no shots on target, their keeper supplied the headline-quality performance.

Colombia’s top performers and the turning points

Gustavo Puerta ran the midfield with an 8.4 Sofascore Rating, completing 59 of 62 passes and creating two key passes. He also registered one big chance created and took two shots, one on target and one blocked. Jhon Arias followed at 8.1 with the winning goal, 55 accurate passes, a key pass, and seven recoveries in a two-way display. Davinson Sánchez impressed at 7.8, completing 71 of 80 passes, making 7 clearances, and even threatening from set pieces with two shots and 0.33 xG.

Two cameos added control late. Juan Fernando Quintero posted a 7.7 in just 17 minutes, going 19 of 19 on passes and laying on five key passes with two big chances created. Daniel Muñoz’s 7.6 reflected a well-rounded outing with three tackles won, a key pass, and a big chance created from the right. On the other side, Ghana’s forward line of Semenyo, Williams, and Ayew combined for 0 shots on target and met a strong Colombian back line. It left Ghana relying on set plays and dribbles, and when those did not stick, the clock worked against them.

What it means

Colombia advance to the Round of 16 with a performance that mixed control and resilience in equal measure. Ghana exit after competing well in duels and structure but struggling to generate clean looks at goal. The 69,045 in Kansas City saw a disciplined team effort defined by one early strike and one superb goalkeeping display. For full player stats, heat maps and every Sofascore Rating from this World Cup knockout tie, head to the match page on Sofascore.