FIFA World Cup 2026- Ronaldo powers Portugal to 1st victory, Columbia win, England draw

 

Day 13 completed the second round of fixtures in Groups K and L and brought several decisive results. Portugal produced their most convincing display of the tournament, crushing Uzbekistan to move to the top of Group K, while Colombia became one of the latest teams to secure a place in the Round of 32 with a hard-fought victory over DR Congo. In Group L, Croatia kept their qualification hopes alive with a crucial win over Panama, while England were frustrated by a disciplined Ghanaian side in a goalless draw. 

Portugal 5–0 Uzbekistan

Group K – Houston

After being held by DR Congo in their opening match, Portugal responded in emphatic fashion with the biggest win of Day 13. The Portuguese were dominant from the opening whistle and effectively settled the contest within the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo, facing criticism after the opening-round draw, delivered a vintage performance with two goals and a constant attacking threat. 

Portugal took the lead after just six minutes when Ronaldo found space inside the penalty area and finished clinically beyond the Uzbek goalkeeper. The early goal allowed Portugal to play with confidence and freedom. Their second arrived in the 17th minute when Nuno Mendes joined the attack and finished a cleverly worked move after a well-executed free-kick routine. 

The Portuguese continued to dominate possession and chances. Ronaldo struck again six minutes before halftime, meeting a cross with a composed finish to make it 3-0 and record his first World Cup brace of the tournament. Uzbekistan struggled to cope with Portugal's movement and pace in attack. 

The second half brought further misery for the Central Asians. In the 60th minute, a dangerous Portuguese attack ended with defender Abdukodir Khusanov inadvertently turning the ball into his own net while attempting a clearance. Portugal completed the rout late in the game when Rafael Leão produced a fine finish in the 87th minute after cutting inside from the left flank. 

Goals

6' Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

17' Nuno Mendes (Portugal)

39' Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

60' Abdukodir Khusanov (Uzbekistan, own goal)

87' Rafael Leão (Portugal) 

England 0–0 Ghana

Group L – Foxborough

England missed the opportunity to secure qualification with a match to spare as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Ghana. After their exciting 4-2 victory over Croatia in the opening round, the Three Lions struggled to find the same attacking fluency against a disciplined and organised Ghanaian defence. 

England dominated possession for long periods and spent much of the match in Ghana's half. Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham all searched for openings, but Ghana defended compactly and denied England clear scoring opportunities. Ghana, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counterattack through Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo, though they too found chances difficult to create. 

The second half followed a similar pattern. England pushed forward in search of a breakthrough but lacked precision in the final third. Ghana's defenders produced a superb collective performance, blocking shots and maintaining their shape under pressure. The final whistle confirmed a valuable point for Ghana and left qualification from Group L still unresolved heading into the final round of matches. 

Result

England 0–0 Ghana 

Panama 0–1 Croatia

Group L – Toronto

Croatia kept their World Cup campaign alive with a crucial victory over Panama. Having lost their opening match to England, Zlatko Dalić's side entered the contest knowing that anything less than a win would leave them on the brink of elimination. They eventually secured all three points thanks to a second-half strike from veteran forward Ante Budimir. 

The first half was tightly contested, with Panama defending resolutely and limiting Croatia's attacking opportunities. Croatia enjoyed more possession but struggled to break through a well-organised Panamanian back line. 

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 54th minute. Defender Josip Stanišić delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area, and Budimir timed his run perfectly before steering his finish into the net. The goal transformed the contest, forcing Panama to attack more aggressively. 

Panama pressed hard during the closing stages and created several threatening situations, but Croatia's experienced defence stood firm. Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković remained largely untroubled as Croatia secured a vital 1-0 victory that keeps them firmly in contention for a knockout-stage place. 

Goal

54' Ante Budimir (Croatia) 

Colombia 1–0 DR Congo

Group K – Guadalajara

Colombia became one of the latest teams to book their place in the knockout rounds after overcoming a stubborn DR Congo side. The South Americans were made to work hard for the victory, with the Congolese producing another spirited defensive display after already holding Portugal earlier in the tournament. 

Colombia controlled possession and territory throughout much of the match, but DR Congo defended brilliantly and frustrated their opponents for long periods. Luis Díaz and Jhon Durán both threatened, yet clear opportunities remained scarce as the African side maintained excellent defensive organisation. 

The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute. Following sustained Colombian pressure, defender Daniel Muñoz arrived at the right moment inside the penalty area and fired home the decisive goal. The strike sparked celebrations among the Colombian supporters and ultimately proved enough to separate the teams. 

DR Congo attempted to respond in the closing stages but could not find a way through Colombia's defence. The 1-0 victory guaranteed Colombia's progress to the Round of 32 and left them well placed to challenge Portugal for top spot in Group K. 

Goal

76' Daniel Muñoz (Colombia) 

Day 13 belonged to Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. While England were frustrated and Croatia battled to stay alive, Portugal's emphatic victory and Colombia's qualification-clinching win were the defining stories as the group stage moved closer to its conclusion.