Diogo Costa was the true national hero, preventing a scandalous defeat for Portugal against Colombia in a thrilling third round of the 2026 World Cup. The Portuguese goalkeeper, with otherworldly interventions – including an improbable save with his foot – ensured not only the draw but also a spot in the ideal eleven of the round, selected by A BOLA. Among high-profile names and superlative performances, the inclusion of a direct opponent of our national team for the Round of 32 stands out, demonstrating that the Portuguese path to glory is far from easy.
The third round of the 2026 World Cup saw the conclusion of the group stage and the recognition of the best performers in world football. Players from eleven different national teams make up the selected eleven, arranged in a 4-3-3 formation, with Diogo Costa shining alongside stars such as Hakimi (Morocco), Van Hecke (Netherlands), Ordoñez (Ecuador), and Mateo Chávez (Mexico) in the defensive line. In midfield, Pape Gueye (Senegal), Luka Modric (Croatia), and Trossard (Belgium) are positioned, while Manzambi (Switzerland), Dembélé (France), and Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) complete the most explosive attacking trio of the tournament so far.
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This elite selection is not just an honorary title – it serves as a barometer of the strength and form of the main contenders for the ultimate victory. Diogo Costa’s standout performance not only reinforces the national team’s dependence on his qualities but also raises a warning regarding the demands of the upcoming matches. The presence of Luka Modric, the Croatian maestro and Portugal’s next opponent, underscores the level of difficulty that the players coached by Roberto Martínez will face in the knockout stage. The national coach himself acknowledged after the match: “We really needed this,” recognizing the importance of a tough test to calibrate the team towards their World Cup dream.
The prestige of being included in this eleven goes beyond individual recognition; it reflects the decisive influence these players had on the fortunes of their national teams. Hakimi, for example, not only scored a goal but also provided a crucial assist in Morocco’s victory over Haiti (4-2), while Van Hecke was a key player in the Netherlands’ win against Tunisia, even scoring a goal. Ordoñez from Ecuador was the defensive pillar that halted the German momentum in the surprising victory against Germany. From Mexico, Mateo Chávez capped off the group stage in style, scoring against the Czech Republic (3-0).
In midfield, Pape Gueye came off the bench to score twice and contribute to Senegal’s thrashing of Iraq (5-0), while Modric, ever cerebral, once again orchestrated Croatia’s game against Ghana, crowning his performance with an assist. Trossard, with two goals, was instrumental in Belgium crushing New Zealand (5-1) and securing the top spot in the group. Meanwhile, Manzambi from Switzerland solidified his status as a revelation by scoring, assisting, and being the driving force behind the Swiss victory over Canada (2-1).
The offensive sector was dominated by luxury individual performances: Dembélé (France) recorded the third hat trick of this World Cup against a depleted Norway, confirming his status as a contender for the Ballon d’Or, while Vinícius Júnior scored twice, leading Brazil to a decisive 3-0 victory over Scotland. The Real Madrid forward appears to be finally reaching the peak of his career on the big stage.
With the end of the group stage, attention now turns to the Round of 16, where Portugal will have to overcome a Croatia led by a resurgent Modric. Diogo Costa’s performance provides assurances, but the stakes will be higher, and any slip-up could be fatal. The pressure is intense, and every detail matters. The 2026 World Cup is heating up, and Portuguese fans are already feeling the adrenaline: can Diogo Costa and company remain among the best in the world? The answer will come in the next match, where a mistake could cost the dream, and a stellar performance could propel an entire nation towards glory.
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