Cristiano Ronaldo was far from the usual spotlight as he was practically neutralized by the defense of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a match where Portugal disappointed and could only manage a troubling draw. On the other hand, England and Colombia took the opportunity to send a clear signal of strength, achieving significant victories and catapulting themselves into the center of attention at the World Cup.
On the seventh day of the World Cup, Portugal took to the field against the Democratic Republic of Congo, in what was expected to be a game of Portuguese dominance. João Neves opened the scoring just six minutes in, raising hopes of a rout. However, Yoane Wissa equalized for the Democratic Republic of Congo in stoppage time of the first half, dashing national hopes. Despite overwhelming possession (75%), Roberto Martínez’s side managed only one shot on target – precisely Neves’ goal – from seven attempts. Cristiano Ronaldo was the target of nearly all the crosses, but the Portuguese captain could only touch the ball 25 times and was completely sidelined in what marked his historic sixth appearance in World Cup finals.
THE 2026 WORLD CUP LIVES ON WITH LEGO
The English national team, for its part, left no room for doubt and crushed Croatia 4-2, with Harry Kane scoring twice and equalling Gary Lineker as the top English scorer in World Cups, both with 10 goals. Coach Thomas Tuchel was thus rewarded for his faith in Noni Madueke and Jude Bellingham, who both performed brilliantly, showing that England is ready to fight until the end for the trophy.
The most dramatic moment of the day occurred in the Ghana-Panama match. With a precise shot in the 95th minute, Caleb Yirenkyi sealed an epic victory for the Black Stars, generating an explosion of joy in the stands and putting Ghana in an excellent position to advance in the competition. Colombia also made an impact, thrashing debutants Uzbekistan 3-1, with Luis Díaz being the standout performer: he scored, assisted, and led the team, taking his national side to the top of Group K.
These incidents are of utmost importance in the context of the competition. Portugal’s draw places maximum pressure on the upcoming group matches, potentially forcing the Seleção das Quinas to win their remaining games if they wish to secure qualification. On the other hand, England and Colombia took giant strides towards the knockout stage, reinforcing their status as contenders. Ghana’s dramatic victory renews hope for a national team that failed to qualify for last year’s Africa Cup of Nations but now, on North American soil, seems determined to redeem itself in front of the world.
After the match, Roberto Martínez did not hide his displeasure with the performance: “We lacked sharpness in the final third, we were predictable and we paid dearly for not finishing the game,” lamented the Portuguese coach at the press conference. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, visibly frustrated, emphasized the need to change the mindset: “We need to be much more ambitious and effective. We didn’t come here for draws,” said the captain, still in the mixed zone, making it clear that the goal is to go far, despite the initial stumble. On the English side, Harry Kane expressed pride in equaling Lineker: “It’s a huge honor, but my focus is to help the team win the World Cup,” said the forward, shortly after the final whistle.
In the analysis of the day, the stunning goal by Martin Baturina from Croatia stood out, firing beyond the reach of Jordan Pickford and creating one of the best moments of the tournament so far. Luis Díaz earned the title of player of the day – in addition to the goal and the assist, he recorded two key passes, two runs, and eleven passes into the final third, achieving an impressive rating of 8.9.
Outside the four lines, the streets of Toronto were filled with celebrating Ghanaian fans, rejoicing over Yirenkyi’s salvatory goal late into the night. In Lisbon, thousands of Portuguese filled Terreiro do Paço to support their national team, but it was the unexpected joy of the few Congolese fans among the crowd that stood out – a lesson in fair play and unity that only football can provide. On American soil, English fans sang ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis in front of the players, creating a perfect communion between the stands and the pitch.
The upcoming matches promise strong emotions. Portugal will need to quickly address their lack of offensive effectiveness and ensure that Ronaldo becomes decisive once again, lest they jeopardize their qualification. England and Colombia head into their next challenges buoyed by confidence, while Ghana arrives motivated and ready to surprise. The World Cup is heating up, and nothing is decided – one can only expect more surprises, controversies, and unforgettable moments in the days to come.
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