Portugal: 5, Uzbekistan: 0
Portugal finally got their foot on the gas, and in a big way against Uzbekistan. Not only did Portugal play great, their legend, striker Cristiano Ronaldo played great as well.
In the sixth minute, Ronaldo got his first goal of the tournament with a great strike into the back of the net. He still has his goal scoring ability, even if it didn’t look like it against DR Congo. The entire team mobbed him after the goal in celebration.
The impressive goal for Ronaldo wasn’t even his. Portugal had a free kick in the 17th minute, and Ronaldo is known for being selfish and taking all the opportunities for himself. This time however, he was used as a decoy, and left back Nuno Mendes fired it past the goalkeeper, who had no clue Mendes was taking the shot.
Ronaldo grabbed a second goal in the 39th minute, and had the entire second half to go for a hat trick. In the second half, Portugal scored 2 more, one on an own goal, and substitute Rafael Leao came on and scored in the 87th minute.
He came close, but Ronaldo wasn’t able to finish off his hat trick. Still, Portugal were dominant, and will definitely need to replicate the style they played if they want to win the tournament.
Player of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
England: 0, Ghana: 0
A rough showing for England after looking so dominant against Croatia in the previous match.
The English had 19 total shots to Ghana’s 2, and the majority of the possession time, so it wasn’t like they weren’t the better team in the match, but with the talent gap they had on display in this one, they needed to win.
A great chance for Ghana came in the 79th minute, when they were able to mix up England’s defense, but the attempt was kicked right into left winger Antoine Semenyo.
Ghana’s defense was great, producing 24 clearances.
England will likely still go through to the knockout stage, but a pivotal match against Panama will determine their fate.
Player of the Match: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Croatia: 1, Panama: 0
Croatia desperately needed a win over Panama for a chance to make the knockouts, and they were able to just get over the finish line.
The goal came in the second half, right back Josip Stanisic fired a cross into the box in the 54th minute and it found the foot of substitute Ante Budimir, who tapped it in. The rest of the game was shaky, but it was enough to get Croatia over the line.
Defensive midfielder Luka Modric was excellent, who at age 40, in his 200th match with the national team, completed the most passes in the match, and had a big chance created.
A point against Ghana will be pivotal for Croatia to get into the knockouts, as it is unclear yet if 3 points would be enough to make it as a third place team. Panama were eliminated with the loss.
Player of the Match: Josip Stanicic (Bayern Munich)
Colombia: 1, DR Congo: 0
DR Congo was looking to build momentum after their historic result with Portugal. Their world renowned fan, Lumumba Vea, who stands all match in a statue to honor the country’s first ever prime minister, was in attendance after not being allowed in the USA for the first match. However, Colombia was able to get the 3 points to qualify for the knockouts.
Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau made 8 saves, but the shot he couldn’t stop would be the match winner. In the 76th minute, it was right back Daniel Munoz, who scored his second goal of the tournament, tied for the most by a defender.
Colombia will play Portugal next to determine who wins Group K, and DR Congo will play an important match against Uzbekistan, as there is a chance for either of them to make it as a third place team.
Player of the Match: Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)