Tuesday, June 23, 2026: Portugal wake up, Colombia advance, England run into Ghana's wall

June 23 was a day of answers. Portugal had to erase the doubt created by their draw with DR Congo. England had to confirm their spectacular start against Croatia. Colombia had the chance to turn a strong opening into qualification. Croatia, meanwhile, faced Panama under a much simpler kind of pressure: win or move dangerously close to the edge.

Portugal against Uzbekistan quickly became a demonstration. Portugal won 5-0 in Houston, with an intensity and control that looked very different from their first match. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and added another line to his story: he became the first player to score in six World Cups. Nuno Mendes scored a free kick, Rafael Leao also found the net, and the score was widened by an Uzbek own goal. After the 1-1 draw with DR Congo, Portugal needed calm, precision and authority. They found all three.

Colombia made less noise, but perhaps achieved something even more important. They beat DR Congo 1-0 in Guadalajara thanks to Daniel Munoz, who scored in the 76th minute after a pass from Juan Quintero. For a long time, the match revolved around Congolese resistance and especially Lionel Mpasi, who made several saves from James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and Jhon Arias. Colombia kept pushing, kept control, and eventually found the opening. With six points from two matches, they are through to the Round of 32 before their final meeting with Portugal.

England against Ghana told another kind of World Cup story: defensive walls and frustration. England had huge possession, close to 80 percent in the first half, but could not create enough danger. The first half even became the first of the tournament without a shot on target from either side. Thomas Tuchel changed things after the break, but Carlos Queiroz's Ghana held to their plan with discipline. England's biggest chance came in the 86th minute, when Nico O'Reilly hit the crossbar before Harry Kane missed the rebound. The 0-0 leaves both teams on four points, close to qualification but not fully released yet.

The final match of the day, Panama against Croatia, carried the weight of possible elimination. Croatia won 1-0 in Toronto thanks to Ante Budimir, who came off the bench and scored in the 53rd minute from a Josip Stanisic cross after a clever touch from Marco Pasalic. Panama were brave, organised and at times threatening, but not clinical enough. Their defeat eliminates them. Croatia stay alive and will go into their final match against Ghana with a real chance, but also with the obligation to raise their level.

In Group K, Colombia are the big winners. Six points, two wins, qualification secured: they have turned a tricky group into a very solid campaign. Portugal move to four points and clearly recover after their opening draw. Their direct meeting will decide first place in the group, with Colombia already sure to continue and Portugal almost launched, but not yet officially safe.

DR Congo remain on one point. The draw against Portugal gave them a magnificent base, but the defeat to Colombia prevents them from breathing. Their final match against Uzbekistan becomes a survival final. Uzbekistan, still without a point, are close to elimination and will need a favourable scenario as well as a win.

In Group L, England and Ghana have four points. That is comfortable, but not completely finished. England will close against already eliminated Panama and therefore have a very open path. Ghana face a harder match against Croatia. Croatia have three points and can still qualify directly if they beat Ghana. Panama will play their final match for pride.

France did not play on June 23, but the day still matters for Les Bleus. First, because it confirms that the tournament's great forwards are answering the call. Mbappe had already made his mark on June 22, Messi wrote history with Argentina, Haaland is carrying Norway, and Ronaldo has now relaunched Portugal. This World Cup is becoming a tournament of stars, but also a tournament where every major nation must prove it can manage closed matches and tactical traps.

For France, the message is clear before the match against Norway: qualification is not enough. Major teams that want to go far also need to build momentum. Colombia have qualified without panic, Portugal have responded with force, Argentina are moving forward, and even England, though slowed down, remain in a favourable position. Les Bleus must defend first place and avoid letting Norway take psychological control of Group I.

England's draw with Ghana also offers an important reminder: possession does not win by itself. France have known this kind of match in their recent history. Against compact blocks, they will need speed, variety and real precision in the final actions.

Portugal returned to the centre of the tournament's story. After the draw with DR Congo, there were already questions about rhythm, balance and Cristiano Ronaldo's role. The 5-0 does not answer everything, because Uzbekistan remain newcomers at this level, but it changes the atmosphere. Portugal played with more intelligence, more structure and more sharpness.

England are not in crisis, but they received a warning. Beating Croatia 4-2 created momentum. Drawing 0-0 with Ghana slowed it down. The problem is not the point, which remains useful. The problem is the impression: lots of possession, few dangerous shots, and a dependence on the final actions of Kane and the substitutes. For a team aiming at the title, it is a very concrete reminder.

Croatia remain a major nation because of their recent history, but they no longer have the luxury of winning only through experience. Against Panama, they suffered before finding the solution. Luka Modric celebrated his 200th cap, an immense symbol, but that symbol will not be enough against Ghana. Croatia must be more focused, cleaner defensively and dangerous earlier.

Ghana are the outsider of the day. This 0-0 against England is not just a point. It is a demonstration of collective discipline. Carlos Queiroz had a clear plan: close the spaces, stop England from finding rhythm, accept long spells of defending and choose a few counters. The plan worked.

Colombia also deserve a special place. They are not a complete surprise, but they are acting like a very confident team. Two matches, two wins, qualification, and the ability to win a closed match when the opposing goalkeeper seems to be stopping everything. This kind of victory matters enormously at a World Cup.

DR Congo keep a real identity despite the defeat. They surprised Portugal, resisted Colombia for a long time, and still have a door open. But at this level, courage is no longer enough. They will need to beat Uzbekistan or at least get a result that leaves a chance depending on the wider calculations.

Panama are already out of the qualification race, but not without dignity. Two 1-0 defeats against Ghana and then Croatia show a competitive team, far more solid than their status may have suggested. The problem was brutally simple: not enough finishing to turn tight matches into points.

June 24 will be very busy, with Groups A, B and C in focus. The schedule will notably put Brazil back on stage against Scotland. After their start to the tournament, Brazil need to keep building certainty, while Scotland need a strong result to give weight to their campaign.

Morocco against Haiti will also matter in Group C. Morocco must respond after their match against Scotland, while Haiti will try to exist in a very demanding group. In Group B, Switzerland against Canada could already carry major weight, especially because Canada are playing at home and need positive emotion as much as points.

Group A will also offer Mexico against Czechia and South Africa against South Korea. These matches can draw the first real gaps in the group. At this stage of the tournament, every second match is no longer just confirmation or recovery: it is often the moment when a team moves from dream to calculation, or from calculation to fear.