The sixth day of FIFA World Cup 2026™ saw the final eight nations take to the field for the first time as action in Groups K and L got underway. 

European heavyweights Portugal made a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign while England impressed, Ghana stroke late to shatter Panama’s hopes of a first World Cup point, and Colombia secured a hard-fought win.

 

Group K

Portugal 1 Democratic Republic of Congo 1

Portugal have been held to a shock 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their Group K opener in Houston with Cristiano Ronaldo enduring another frustrating and largely ineffective outing. Portugal struggled to build on João Neves’s early sixth-minute header.

After taking the lead, Portugal controlled possession (75% to 25%) but lacked urgency and creativity. Their failure to press home their advantage was punished just before half-time when Yoane Wissa headed in an equaliser from Arthur Masuaku’s cross.

DR Congo, whose squad had faced a difficult build-up after spending weeks in quarantine due to the Ebola outbreak at home, produced a disciplined and resilient performance. Wissa, Bakambu, and Samuel Moutoussamy were standout performers as the Africans secured their first-ever World Cup point.

Portugal improved slightly after the introduction of Francisco Conceição, but Ronaldo missed two half-chances and never imposed himself on the match.

Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia

After missing out in 2022, Colombia marked their return to the FIFA World Cup with a 3-1 win over tournament debutants Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The South Americans dictated play throughout with over two-thirds of the possession and triple the amount of shots but had to work hard to shake off the threat of the Central Asian nation.

A long ball over the top of the Uzbekistan defence broke the deadlock just before half-time, Daniel Munoz making the forward run and sliding in to turn the ball past Utkir Yusupov in goal. The White Wolves managed a response on the hour mark though, Abbosbek Fayzullaev writing his name into Uzbekistan’s footballing folklore with the nation’s first goal at a World Cup.

Luis Diaz restored Colombia’s advantage, before substitute Jaminton Campaz made sure of their victory in second half stoppage-time, as Los Cafateros held on for a crucial opening three points in Group K.

Colombia take on DR Congo next, whilst Uzbekistan meet Portugal.

Group L

England 4 Croatia 2

England overcame a shaky defensive display to open their Group L campaign with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas.

Thomas Tuchel’s side made the perfect start when Harry Kane converted a retaken penalty after Noni Madueke was fouled by Luka Modric. Kane’s initial effort was saved by Dominik Livakovic, but VAR spotted the goalkeeper had left his line early, allowing the England captain to make no mistake at the second attempt.

Croatia responded impressively, exposing England’s defensive vulnerabilities throughout the first half. Martin Baturina levelled with a superb finish after Petar Sucic carved open the defence, before Kane restored England’s lead with a powerful header from a Declan Rice corner. The advantage didn’t last long as Petar Musa volleyed home after Ivan Perisic’s header found him unmarked, leaving the teams level at 2-2 at the break.

England emerged with greater purpose in the second half and Jude Bellingham proved the difference. The midfielder capped an influential performance with a surging run and composed finish to put England back in front. Croatia struggled to contain England’s physicality and attacking threat thereafter, with Tuchel’s side creating numerous chances to extend their lead.

Although Marco Pasalic nearly punished England late on, Jordan Pickford produced an important save before substitutes combined to seal the result. Bukayo Saka supplied Marcus Rashford, who cut inside and fired low into the corner to secure a deserved victory and give England an ideal start to their campaign.

Ghana 1 Panama 0

Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time winner in Toronto, denying the Central American side their first-ever FIFA World Cup point.

With the match seemingly destined to end in a goalless draw, Ghana struck in the fifth minute of added time. Brandon Thomas-Asante burst down the left flank, beat his defender and delivered a low cross for Yirenkyi, who calmly tapped home from close range to seal all three points.

The result was a cruel blow for Panama, who matched the four-time African champions throughout a tightly contested encounter in only their fourth World Cup appearance since debuting in 2018.

Panama almost made the perfect start when Cecilio Waterman’s effort inside two minutes was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi. The African side then suffered a setback when Zigi was forced off injured at half-time, with Benjamin Asare replacing him.

Panama continued to threaten after the break, with Cristian Martinez firing into the side-netting from close range. Ghana survived before launching the decisive counterattack.

Ghana now faces England in Boston, while Panama take on Croatia as they seek their first World Cup point.

GROUP K

Portugal 1 (João Neves 6’) Democratic Republic of Congo 1 Yoane Wissa 45’ +5)

Uzbekistan 1 (Abbosbek FAYZULLAEV 60′) Colombia 3 (Daniel MUNOZ 40′, Luis DIAZ 65′, Jaminton CAMPAZ 90+9′)

GROUP L

England 4 (Harry KANE 12′ pen, 42’ Jude BELLINGHAM 47’ Marcus RASHFORD 85’) Croatia 2 (Martin BATURINA 36′ Petar MUSA 45+5’)

Ghana 1 ( Caleb Yirenkyi 90’+5) Panama 0

Coming up

Friday 19 JUNE

Group A: 4am NZT Czechia v South Africa (Atlanta), 1pm NZT Mexico v Korea (Guadalajara)

Group B: 7am NZT Switzerland v Bosnia & Herzegovina (Los Angeles), 10am NZT Canada v Qatar (Vancouver)

Photo Credits (FIFA via Getty Images)