Colombia confirmed their place in the Round of 32, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo created a special slice of history, and Panama joined a growing list of eliminated nations, as the second matchday of action unfolded in Groups K and L.
Group K
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first person to score at six FIFA World Cup’s as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston. The 41-year-old silenced his critics with a first half double, also becoming the second-oldest player to score at a World Cup after 42-year-old Roger Milla for Cameroon in 1994, as Portugal recorded their first victory of the tournament.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 6th minute, sweeping home a delivery from Joao Cancelo on the half-volley, before Nuno Mendes doubled the Portuguese lead with a superb direct free kick in the 17th minute. Uzbekistan thought they had found a response when Aziz G’aniev spectacuarly put the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
It proved a sucker punch for the Central Asian nation, as Ronaldo scored his second goal to give Portugal a three-goal advantage at the break after being played in-behind by Bruno Fernandes. They added further gloss to the scoreline with two more goals in the second half, Uzbek goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov spilling the ball into his own net from a corner delivery, and Rafael Leao smashing home a fifth late in normal time.
After stuttering to a draw with DR Congo in their tournament opener, it’s a welcome result for Portugal and their star talisman. On the other hand, the heavy defeat leaves tournament debutants Uzbekistan on the brink of elimination.
Colombia 1-0 DR Congo
Colombia became the seventh nation to book their place in the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026, securing progression out of Group K with a 1-0 victory over DR Congo in Guadalajara. Daniel Munoz scored the only goal for Los Cafateros in a tense encounter that Colombia dominated, but had to fight hard to make sure of the three points.
DR Congo had frustrated Portugal in their tournament opener, and again proved difficult to break down for more-fancied opposition here, goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi making nine great saves to keep the African nation in the contest. Colombia put together 20 shots altogether and camped themselves inside the attacking half, but at one stage, didn’t look as though they would breach the goalkeepers net.
Ultimately it was a deflection that helped beat Mpasi in the 76th minute, the ball spilling free for Muñoz in the penalty box after Cordoba had gone down appealing for a penalty, allowing the right-back to stroke home the winner and his second goal of the tournament.
Both DR Congo ad Uzbekistan now know they need to record their first-ever FIFA World Cup win when they meet on the final matchday if they are to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stage, whilst Colombia and Portugal will face off in Miami for top spot in Group K.
Group L
England 0-0 Ghana
Having putting four goals past Croatia in their tournament opener, England’s attack failed to fire in a goalless draw with Ghana in their second group stage match of FIFA World Cup 2026 in Boston. The Three Lions dominated 80% of the ball, but mustered just three shots on target and couldn’t find the breakthrough against a resolute Black Stars defence.
It continues England’s winless run in their second group stage match at major tournaments, spanning eight years back to a 6-1 win over Panama at FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. From the off, Thomas Tuchel’s side lacked any threatening intensity, and looked wayward against opposition who were happy to sit in and frustrate in a low block.
Their best opportunities came very late in the piece. Bukayo Saka forced Ghanian keeper Benjamin Asare into a stop, before Nico O’Reilly struck the top of the crossbar with a header, and Harry Kane blazed over the top from point-blank range from the following rebound. Marc Guehi also saw a header cleared off the line in second half stoppage-time as Ghana held on.
The stalemate leaves both nations on four points in Group L and almost guarantees either a place in the Round of 32 with one matchday still to play. Undoubtedly it’s a result that will leave England fans wanting more though.
Panama 0-1 Croatia
Croatia celebrated captain Luka Modric’s 200th international cap and confirmed Panama’s elimination from FIFA World Cup 2026™ with a crucial 1-0 win in Toronto. Second half substitute Ante Budmir scored the game’s only goal, as they collected their first points of the tournament.
Modric becomes just the fourth player in world football to reach the double-ton, joining Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kuwait’s Bader al-Mutawa, in a very exclusive club. He managed just over 80 minutes in midfield against Panama, in a game Croatia largely controlled, but lacked tooth in attack.
After a dull first half which saw either side register just two efforts at goal each, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic injected striker Ante Budmir into the action at half-time. It proved a masterstroke, the substitute linking up with Josip Stanisic to score the decisive goal of the contest in the 54th minute. Panama fought hard for an equaliser late on, but couldn’t find their first goal of this World Cup, and were eliminated at the final whistle.
The win keeps Croatia’s chances of progression to the knockout stages well and truly alive ahead of their final group stage match with Ghana. England meet Panama in the other remaining Group L fixture on the final matchday.
Results
Group K
Portugal 5 (Cristiano RONALDO 6′, 39′, Nuno MENDES 17′, Own Goal 60′, Rafael Leao 87′) Uzbekistan 0
Colombia 1 (Daniel MUNOZ 76′) DR Congo 0
Group L
England 0 Ghana 0
Panama 0 Croatia 1 (Ante BUDMIR 54′)
What’s Next
Thursday 25 June
Group A: Czechia v Mexico (1pm NZT), South Africa v South Korea (1pm NZT)
Group B: Switzerland v Canada (7am NZT), Bosnia & Herzegovina v Qatar (7am NZT)
Group C: Scotland v Brazil (10am NZT), Morocco v Haiti (10am NZT)
Photo credits: FIFA via Getty Images