Queiroz stands between Colombia and last 16

Colombia will look to build on one of the most impressive group-stage campaigns at the ongoing FIFA World Cup when they face Ghana in Saturday's Round of 32 clash, but standing in their way is a man who knows them better than most – former coach Carlos Queiroz.

The winners will advance to a last 16 meeting with either Switzerland or Algeria.

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Queiroz, who managed Colombia from 2019 to 2020 before departing after heavy World Cup qualifying defeats to Uruguay and Ecuador, has guided Ghana into the knockout stage as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

While the Black Stars had to wait to discover whether four points from Group L would be enough to progress behind England and Croatia, Colombia cruised through Group K unbeaten, finishing above Portugal after a hard-fought goalless draw in their final group match.

Nestor Lorenzo's side have quietly emerged as one of the tournament's most complete teams, marrying defensive resilience with the attacking football that saw them top what many considered one of the toughest groups.

Midfielder Richard Ríos insists Colombia will not abandon the proactive style that has carried them this far.

"We have to keep working step by step because I feel we can go very far," Ríos said.

"Every match is very difficult. Ghana may present a different physical challenge than Portugal, but if we approach every game the way we have been, showing everything we are capable of, it becomes much harder for our opponents.

"That's what we'll keep doing – imposing our game and going out to win."

Colombia reached the World Cup quarters in 2014 and the Round of 16 in 2018 before missing out on qualification for the 2022 finals.

Ghana, meanwhile, are hoping to rekindle memories of their memorable World Cup years. Queiroz, only the second coach after Bora Milutinovic to appear at five successive World Cups, is aiming to inspire another memorable campaign after the Black Stars reached the Round of 16 in 2006 and the quarterfinals in 2010. And with discipline and graft they showed against a high-flying England, it won't a stretch to expect them to be hard to beat.

Colombia may start as favourites, but with Queiroz in the opposite dugout, they know Friday's reunion could prove anything but straightforward.

Highlights

**This will be the first-ever meeting between Colombia and Ghana.

**Colombia have won each of their last four World Cup matches against African opposition, including a 1-0 victory over DR Congo in Group K. All four wins came by a single-goal margin.

**Ghana have lost all three of their World Cup matches against South American opposition: 3-0 to Brazil in 2006, 2-0 to Uruguay in 2022, and on penalties to Uruguay in the controversial 2010 quarterfinal, when Luis Suarez’s infamous handball took centre stage.

**Ghana averaged just 36.1 percent possession in the group stage, the second-lowest among teams who reached the knockouts, behind only Paraguay’s 33.9 percent.

**Ghana have scored only two goals so far and are still waiting for Antoine Semenyo to catch fire. The Manchester City winger is yet to register a shot on target at this World Cup.

**Colombia have conceded only once at this tournament so far.