Cristiano Ronaldo propelled Portugal to a big win
Colombia and Croatia won as England-Ghana ended in draw
A Madeiran Martian had been written off by masses. The man Pepe labelled “an alien” then ran out in ‘Space City’ and exterminated debate over his status in the Portugal side. Cristiano Ronaldo’s old amigo was one of many men he relieved of a record on Matchday 13 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. There were landmarks for England too – albeit unwanted ones – in a draw with Ghana, while Ante Budimir rose from the bench to spur Croatia to victory over Panama and Daniel Munoz snatched Colombia a reverse of Congo DR.
It took just six minutes for Ronaldo to shush his sceptics with an impeccably controlled strike. Then, as everybody expected CR7 to unleash a knuckleball free-kick, Nuno Mendes sneakily steered it home. Ronaldo’s second of the contest put the result to bed, and he would have gone to sleep with a TRIONDA had it not been for goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov’s guts and reflexes. Portugal still emerged emphatic victors to move on to progression’s periphery.
How did the Black Stars survive? Kojo Peprah Oppong hooked Marc Guehi’s header off the line, Jonas Adjetey and Kwasi Sibo made momentous blocks, Benjamin Asare exasperated Bukayo Saka, and Nico O’Reilly rattled the crossbar in a dramatic finale. Yet, despite 18 shots, the Three Lions couldn’t score. They didn’t concede either, which left England and Ghana as the forerunners to go through from the section.
Vatreni supporters campaigned for Ante Budimir, who has rippled nets relentlessly over the last three seasons in La Liga, to get his first World Cup start. They were disappointed when he didn’t. They were delirious 10 minutes after he was sent on for the second half. The 34-year-old’s goal was facilitated by a breathtaking back-heel from fellow substitute Mario Pasalic and a superb Josip Stanisic cross. Croatia were up and running. Panama, despite an admirable effort, were out.
Lionel Mpasi was immovable. Colombia kept asking questions. The Congo keeper kept answering them. Then, with less than 15 minutes remaining, uber-adventurous right-back Daniel Munoz, who was guilty of spurning a big opportunity in the early stages, drove home a deflected striker. Luis Diaz had not one but two goals disallowed thereafter, but it mattered not – Nestor Lorenzo’s charges were through.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth-minute strike made him the first man to net in six editions and the . The 41-year-old Portuguese joined Dane Michael Laudrup and Argentinian Lionel Messi in reigning as his nation’s youngest and oldest World Cup scorer. Ronaldo’s second saw him outrank Eusebio and become the Portuguese leader for goals in the competition.
Jude Bellingham, at the age only 22, became the youngest player to reach 50 England caps. The Three Lions had 79 possession but registered their 13th goalless World Cup draw – four more than any other country.
Ronaldo and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric ensured two 40-year-old registered a victory on one day for the first time in World Cup history.
June 24 (all times local) 12:00 (Group B) 12:00 (Group B) 19:00 (Group A) 19:00 (Group A) 18:00 (Group C) 18:00 (Group C)
Sources: FIFA Official
