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Matchday 2 of Groups K and L delivered drama across North America on Tuesday, with Colombia securing their knockout spot, Portugal finding top gear, Croatia keeping their campaign alive on Luka Modrić’s historic 200th cap, and England left frustrated by a stubborn Ghana side.
📋 Results — Tuesday, June 23
| Group | Match | Score | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | Colombia vs DR Congo | 1-0 | Colombia qualifies for last 32 |
| K | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | 5-0 | Ronaldo double; Portugal in driving seat |
| L | Croatia vs Panama | 1-0 | Croatia stays alive; Panama eliminated |
| L | England vs Ghana | 0-0 | Ghana holds firm; England needs result Saturday |
🔥 Match Highlights
🇨🇴 Colombia 1-0 DR Congo — Los Cafeteros Secure Knockout Berth
Daniel Muñoz scored his second goal of the tournament — a deflected 76th-minute strike — to send Colombia into the knockout stage. The Crystal Palace wing-back was a constant threat, hitting the side-netting early and having a goal ruled out for offside before finally breaking through. Juan Fernando Quintero’s clever pass unlocked the Congolese defense, and Muñoz’s left-footed effort took a crucial deflection past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Colombia dominated throughout but missed several chances — Luis Díaz failed to convert a one-on-one in the 50th minute. Still, two wins from two puts them top of Group K and into the last 32.
🇵🇹 Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan — Ronaldo at the Double
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to critics with two goals as Portugal ran riot against Uzbekistan. The 5-0 demolition puts Portugal in prime position to advance. After a frustrating 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opener, the Portuguese attack exploded — Ronaldo looking sharp and mobile throughout his 70-minute shift.
🇭🇷 Croatia 1-0 Panama — Budimir Strikes on Modrić’s 200th
Substitute Ante Budimir scored nine minutes into the second half to give Croatia a vital 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. The result eliminated Panama, who have now lost both group matches.
The night belonged to Luka Modrić, making his 200th international appearance — only the fourth male player to reach that milestone. The 40-year-old completed 88% of his passes across 81 minutes and was carried off the pitch by teammates at full time. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalić said: “He is still influencing matches. We need to be very happy to have him in the team.”
Panama had chances but were denied by Dominik Livaković’s sharp saves. Croatia now face Ghana on Saturday — a win guarantees their place in the knockout phase.
🏴 England 0-0 Ghana — Frustration for the Three Lions
Thomas Tuchel’s England dominated possession (78.2%) but couldn’t find a way past a disciplined Ghana side set up in a 5-4-1 low block. Harry Kane had only two touches in Ghana’s box in the first half, and England lacked creativity without the injured Cole Palmer and the omitted Phil Foden.
Bukayo Saka provided a spark off the bench — forcing a fine late save from Ghana keeper Benjamin Asare — but it wasn’t enough. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz suggested England had “no solutions,” and the 0-0 draw means Group L is wide open heading into the final matchday.
📊 Group L Standings
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 4 | +2 |
| 2 | Ghana | 4 | +1 |
| 3 | Croatia | 3 | -1 |
| 4 | Panama | 0 | -2 |
📊 Group K Standings
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colombia | 6 | +3 ✅ |
| 2 | Portugal | 4 | +5 |
| 3 | DR Congo | 1 | -1 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 0 | -7 |
🔮 Looking Ahead — Wednesday, June 24
It’s Matchday 3 for Groups A, B, and C — the first set of final group-stage matches in this expanded 48-team tournament. Teams still fighting for knockout spots include:
- Group A: Mexico (6 pts, qualified), South Korea (3), Czechia (1), South Africa (1)
- Group B: Canada (4), Switzerland (4), Bosnia (1), Qatar (1)
- Group C: Brazil (4), Morocco (4), Scotland (3), Haiti (0)
Key fixtures to watch:
- Switzerland vs Canada — winner takes control of Group B
- Scotland vs Morocco — Scotland needs a win to advance
- Haiti vs Brazil — Brazil looking to top Group C
FAQ
Which teams have qualified for the knockout stage so far?
As of June 23, confirmed qualifiers include Mexico (Group A), Colombia (Group K), plus several others from earlier matchdays. The expanded format sees the top two from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
Where can I watch the World Cup 2026 matches?
Matches are broadcast across Fox Sports (US), TSN (Canada), and Televisa (Mexico). BBC Sport and ITV also cover the tournament for UK viewers. Streaming options include Fubo, Sling TV, and the FIFA+ platform.
When is the Round of 32?
The Round of 32 kicks off June 28 and runs through July 3, followed by the Round of 16 from July 4–7.
Who is the top scorer so far?
Lionel Messi (Argentina) leads with 5 goals, while Erling Haaland (Norway) is close behind with 4 goals after his double against Senegal.
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