Day 13 Results — June 23, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name deeper into World Cup folklore on a landmark Tuesday in North America, becoming the first player in history to score at six different FIFA World Cups as Portugal demolished Uzbekistan 5–0 in Houston. Meanwhile, Colombia confirmed top spot in Group K, Croatia revived their knockout ambitions in Toronto, and England were held to a frustrating goalless draw by a resolute Ghana in Foxborough.
Group K — Match Results
Group L — Match Results
Ronaldo's Historic Night in Houston
When Cristiano Ronaldo struck the net in the 6th minute at NRG Stadium, he did something no footballer had ever done before: score in a sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). The moment brought the stadium to its feet and provided the emotional answer to every question mark hanging over the 41-year-old's 2026 campaign.
His second goal, converted in the 39th minute, was equally historic. It moved Ronaldo to 10 career World Cup goals — making him Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the competition, surpassing the legendary Eusébio who had registered nine. He also claimed a third record on the night: the oldest player to score a multi-goal game in World Cup history at 41 years and 138 days of age.
Portugal's dominance was total. Nuno Mendes added flair and incision in the 17th minute, before Uzbekistan's Abdukodir Khusanov put through his own net in the 60th minute. Rafael Leão completed the rout with a composed finish in the 87th, rounding off a 5–0 statement that catapulted Portugal's goal difference to +5 and sent a clear message to the rest of Group K.
Colombia Confirm Group K Leadership
At Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Colombia made it two wins from two to cement their position at the top of Group K. A disciplined 1–0 victory over DR Congo, secured by Daniel Muñoz's powerful finish in the 76th minute, confirmed the South American side as group leaders heading into the final matchday.
Colombia — who lit up the Azteca with a 3–1 win over Uzbekistan in matchday one — have now won both their group games and sit on six points. They will go into the final round with qualification already secured and an eye on topping the group. DR Congo, meanwhile, remain on one point after their opening draw and face an elimination fight in their last match.
With Colombia on 6 points and Portugal on 4, the battle for first place in Group K will go down to the wire. Both teams will play their final group game on June 27, with Portugal's superior goal difference (+5 vs +3) potentially proving decisive if the two sides are level on points.
England's Frustration — Ghana Hold Their Ground
England will have left Gillette Stadium in Foxborough deeply frustrated. Despite reportedly registering 13 shots throughout the contest, Gareth Southgate's Three Lions were unable to break down a disciplined, well-organised Ghana defence that produced one of the defensive displays of the tournament so far.
Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was reportedly in inspired form, denying England time and again as the west African nation claimed a point that keeps them level at the top of Group L. England captain Harry Kane, who had equalled Gary Lineker's England World Cup scoring record earlier in the tournament, could not add to his tally on a night that will live long in the memory for the wrong reasons.
The result means Group L goes to the wire. England and Ghana are both on four points and separated only by goal difference heading into matchday three. The pressure is on both sides to deliver — and the margin for error has disappeared.
Croatia Revive — Panama Eliminated
At BMO Field in Toronto, Croatia showed the resilience that took them to the 2018 World Cup final by grinding out a crucial 1–0 victory over Panama. The result kept Zlatko Dalić's side in contention and ended Panama's 2026 World Cup journey.
The match was defined by one key moment: Ante Budimir, introduced as a halftime substitute, rising to meet Josip Stanišić's precise cross at the far post in the 54th minute. The 34-year-old celebrated what proved to be a match-winning contribution with emotion, and in the process became Croatia's oldest-ever World Cup scorer.
The occasion was made even more special by the presence of Luka Modrić, who reached his 200th international cap for Croatia — becoming only the fourth player in the history of the game to reach that landmark. The midfield maestro was honoured before kick-off, and while Croatia still have work to do to guarantee their knockout berth, Tuesday's win gave them real hope heading into the final group game.
What It Means — Standings Update
Group K Standings (after Matchday 2)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Portugal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 4 |
| DR Congo | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
Group L Standings (after Matchday 2)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| Ghana | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Croatia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Panama | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Today's Upcoming Matches — June 24, 2026
Matchday 2 continues with six matches across Groups A, B, and C — including Brazil's clash with Scotland and the vital Group B battle between Canada and Switzerland:
- 19:00 UTC — Group B: Switzerland vs Canada (BC Place, Vancouver) & Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar (Lumen Field, Seattle)
- 22:00 UTC — Group C: Morocco vs Haiti (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta) & Scotland vs Brazil (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)
- 01:00 UTC (June 25) — Group A: South Africa vs South Korea (Estadio BBVA, Monterrey) & Czechia vs Mexico (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
Frequently Asked Questions
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (6' and 39'), Nuno Mendes added the second goal in the 17th minute, Abdukodir Khusanov put through his own net in the 60th minute, and Rafael Leão completed the 5–0 rout in the 87th minute.
Ronaldo became (1) the first player ever to score at six different FIFA World Cups, (2) Portugal's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 10 goals, surpassing Eusébio's nine, and (3) the oldest player to score a multi-goal game at a World Cup, at 41 years and 138 days old.
In Group K, Colombia lead with 6 points (2 wins), followed by Portugal on 4 points (1 win, 1 draw). In Group L, England and Ghana are level on 4 points each — both with 1 win and 1 draw — while Croatia sit third on 3 points and Panama are eliminated on 0 points.
England reportedly had 13 shots in the match but could not convert against a resolute Ghana defence led by an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi. The draw keeps both teams level at the top of Group L ahead of the final matchday on June 27.