World Cup 2026: Five things we learned as Ghana suffer round of 32 elimination after Colombia defeat

The Black Stars have been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Colombia at the round of 32. 

An early strike from Jhon Arias was enough as the South Americans edge the Black Stars to reach the last 16.

Colombia will now face Switzerland in the next stage while the Black Stars return to Ghana for a thorough post-mortem of their tournament.

Meanwhile, here are the five things GHANASoccernet picked from the defeat to Colombia in Kansas City.

Senaya's injury cost Ghana 

Marvin Senaya had to leave the pitch early following an injury, forcing Carlos Queiroz to make a substitution, bringing on Alidu Seidu. The early changes had a massive blow on the Black Stars, with Colombia breaking the deadlock immediately. Arias met a teasing Luis Suarez cross at the far end, where Senaya usually occupies.

Lack of attacking threat 

The Black Stars were toothless in attack.

Despite having one of the best forward in England in Antoine Semenyo, the team was completely blank in attack. Semenyo failed to score, neither did his attacking mates Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams. As a matter of fact, Ghana scored only two goals at the World Cup, with one from a midfielder and the other from a defender.

Ghana lost midfield battle 

The Black Stars midfield was overwhelmed by Colombians. Arias, Gustavo Puerta, Jefferson Lerma and later Richard Rios seized control of the midfield battle against Ghana's Thomas Partey, Caleb Yirenkyi and Kwasi Sibo. The Ghanaian trio hardly won the ball off their opponents. Apart Partey, who looked sharper, the rest were chasing shadows.

Substitutions had no impact 

In previous matches, Queiroz's changes have had impact on the game. In the match against Panama, Brandon Thomas-Asante provided the assist for the winner while Fatawu Issahaku shone in the England game. Even against Croatia, Ernest Nuamah came off the bench to serve the assist for Derrick Luckassen's goal. However, against Colombia none of the four substitutes were able to exert themselves on the game.

Opoku and Luckassen partnership fail 

Jerome Opoku looked to have built a good defensive relationship with Jonas Adjetey, and the absence of the latter was evident as Derrick Luckassen struggled to keep up with the former. Opoku, again, had a good game but lost the cover provided by Adjetey in previous games. Meanwhile, Luckassen also struggled to keep his marker, Luis Suarez out of the game.

 

 

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