2026 World Cup: Jerome Opoku rues missed chances against Colombia as Ghana suffer Round of 32 elimination

Black Stars defender Jerome Opoku believes Ghana's inability to convert their chances proved decisive in their 1-0 defeat to Colombia, a result that ended the country's FIFA World Cup campaign.

Ghana bowed out of the tournament after Saturday's Round of 32 clash at the Kansas City Stadium, where Jhon Arias' first-half goal was enough to send Colombia into the last 16.

The South Americans will now face Switzerland for a place in the quarter-finals.

Despite creating opportunities of their own, the Black Stars were unable to find an equaliser, leaving Opoku to reflect on what he described as a game decided by fine margins.

"I'll just say the little details of the game. They (Colombia) took their chance. We had a couple of chances. We didn't take ours, and they won the game. So, that's really it."

Opoku admitted Ghana travelled into the knockout fixture determined to extend their stay at the tournament but acknowledged the team failed to achieve its objective.

"The game plan was to win against Colombia. We didn’t, so congratulations to Colombia."

The defeat brings Ghana's World Cup journey to an end after reaching the knockout stage for the first time since their memorable run at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

The Black Stars had progressed from the group stage after finishing third in Group L before falling at the first knockout hurdle.