Colombia, one of the tournament's most convincing teams, faces a familiar adversary in the round of 32 on Friday: Ghana, now coached by their former manager, Carlos Queiroz.
The Portuguese coach managed Colombia from 2019 to 2020 before departing after World Cup qualifying losses. He now leads a Ghanaian side that advanced as one of the best third-placed teams from Group L.
Colombia cruised through Group K unbeaten, finishing above Portugal. Midfielder Richard Rios emphasized the team's intent to maintain their proactive style.
"We have to keep working step by step because I feel we can go very far," Rios stated. "If we approach every game the way we have been, showing everything we are capable of, it becomes much harder for our opponents."
Queiroz, at his sixth World Cup as a coach, aims to replicate Ghana's joyful 2010 quarter-final run. Captain Jordan Ayew said restoring that feeling of happiness is a key goal for the team.