Ronaldo joins the party as he answers his critics
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to criticism over his performance in Portugal’s disappointing 1-1 draw with DR Congo by bagging a brace in his country’s 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan in Group K.
With the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland already lighting up the tournament, the pressure was on Ronaldo to follow their lead – and he did just that by making history in Houston.
Alongside Messi, the Portugal captain is playing at a joint record sixth World Cup – and now he’s the first player to score at six World Cups, as well as the second-oldest to find the net in the competition aged 41 years and 138 days (after Cameroon legend Roger Milla at 42 years and 39 days).
England frustrate, but all is not lost
After the high of victory over Croatia, the England emotional rollercoaster descended its first drop with a goalless draw against Ghana in Group L – an aptly damp squib in a soggy Boston.
If ever there was a contest to exemplify that possession doesn’t win games, it was this: England had 78.8% of the ball – the most of any team on record (since 1966) in a World Cup match without scoring.
Far too pedestrian for much of the 90 minutes in the face of Ghana’s clear happiness to sit back and hold out for a point, Thomas Tuchel’s side still ought to have won it, Harry Kane’s missed sitter rather summing up a thoroughly frustrating night.
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom: only one team since 1970 has won every match en route to lifting the trophy (Brazil in 2002) and when Germany went all the way in 2014, what did they do? They scored four goals in an opening victory before drawing with Ghana…
Colombia clinch knockout spot but can still go one further
Back at the World Cup after missing out four years ago, Colombia wasted no time in booking their place in the Round of 32, maintaining their 100% start with a 1-0 win over DR Congo – and they could yet top Group K.
Right-back Daniel Muñoz struck for the second time at these finals to settle this one in Guadalajara, amid an heroic eight-save display from DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Colombia will advance as group winners for the third time in their last three World Cup appearances if they avoid defeat to Portugal in their final group outing.
Groups A, B and C of the 2026 World Cup conclude across Wednesday (and for those on non-convenient timezones - the early hours of Thursday morning), with the third and final rounds of matches in each group, as is customary, being played simultaneously.
We begin in Group B, where Bosnia and Herzegovina face Qatar and co-hosts Canada take on Switzerland.
It’s then over to Group C for clashes between Morocco and Haiti and Scotland and Brazil.
And Group A wraps things up with Czechia going up against co-hosts Mexico and South Africa meeting South Korea.
Switzerland clash with Canada in showdown for supremacy
Switzerland and Canada clash in a winners-take-all encounter in Vancouver, with the victors going through as Group B winners.
A draw will also suffice for Canada, who demolished nine-man Qatar 6-0 at the same venue for their maiden World Cup win on matchday two.
The Swiss will start as favourites, but Canada will hope to harness the raucous British Columbia atmosphere in their pursuit of a first-ever knockout appearance.
Robertson and Scotland look to make their dreams come true
Scotland might already have enough points to progress to the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams – but they will not take to the pitch against Brazil in Miami with that mentality. Just ask skipper Andy Robertson.
“It’s one that we look forward to,” said Robertson during the build-up. “We are playing against a massive country, the most iconic in World Cups, obviously the most decorated. But it also gives us an opportunity to achieve our dreams as well. We want to achieve history for our littler country…”
History for Scotland would be reaching the knockout stage of a major tournament for the very first time. This will be their 11th meeting with Brazil – they’ve lost nine and drawn two of the previous 10, though in all likelihood a point will do on this occasion.
🇧🇷🏴 Brazil-Scotland match preview
South Africa and South Korea hoping their tournament doesn’t go south
South Africa and South Korea still both have their sights set on a last-32 berth as they go head-to-head in Monterrey.
Victory for South Korea will definitely take them through; the same result for South Africa will almost certainly take them beyond the group stage of the World Cup for the first time ever.
These nations have never met before and as first encounters go, this one’s very nicely set up indeed.
