World Cup 2026 Update: Croatia Edge Panama, Ronaldo Fires Portugal

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title: “World Cup 2026 Update: Croatia Edge Panama, Ronaldo Fires Portugal — June 23 Results”
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# World Cup 2026 Update: Croatia Edge Panama, Ronaldo Fires Portugal — June 23 Results

The 2026 World Cup is in full swing across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and **June 23 delivered a packed slate of group-stage action**. From Ante Budimir’s clutch winner for Croatia to Cristiano Ronaldo’s masterclass for Portugal, here’s everything you need to know.

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## Croatia 1–0 Panama — Budimir the Hero

Croatia bounced back in Group L with a hard-fought **1–0 victory over Panama** at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

**Ante Budimir** scored the decisive goal in the 58th minute, latching onto a cross from Ivan Perišić and slotting home from close range. The win keeps Croatia’s knockout-stage hopes alive after a tough start to their campaign.

**Key stats:**
– Possession: Croatia 64% – 36% Panama
– Shots on target: Croatia 5 – 2 Panama
– Yellow cards: Croatia 2 – Panama 3

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## Portugal Cruise Past Uzbekistan 5–0 — Ronaldo Double

Cristiano Ronaldo rolled back the years with **two goals** as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5–0 in Group K. The veteran forward opened the scoring with a trademark free-kick in the 22nd minute and added a second from the penalty spot just before halftime.

Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, and João Félix also got on the scoresheet in a dominant display at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

> *”I’m back,”* Ronaldo said after the match. *”This team has the quality to go all the way.”*

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## USA Dominates Group D — 2–0 Win Over Australia

The host nation continues to impress. **USA beat Australia 2–0** at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, making it **two wins from two** in Group D.

Christian Pulisic opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 34th minute, and Folarin Balogun doubled the lead in the 67th. The US defense has been rock-solid — they’ve conceded just one goal in two matches.

**Group D Standings:**
| Pos | Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|—–|——|—-|—-|—-|—-|—-|—–|
| 1 | 🇺🇸 **USA** | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +5 | **6** |
| 2 | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |

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## Germany, France & Argentina All Perfect So Far

Three traditional powerhouses are **2-for-2** in the group stage:

– 🇩🇪 **Germany** (Group E) — 9 goals scored, 7–1 win vs Curaçao, 2–1 vs Ivory Coast
– 🇫🇷 **France** (Group I) — 6 goals, 0 conceded
– 🇦🇷 **Argentina** (Group J) — 5 goals, 0 conceded, Messi pulling the strings

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## Neymar Return Looms for Brazil

Brazil head coach Dorival Júnior confirmed that **Neymar is back in full training** and could feature in Brazil’s final group match. The Seleção sit top of Group C with 4 points (1W 1D) and are expected to advance comfortably.

Scotland (3 pts) and Morocco (4 pts) are still very much alive in Group C.

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## Colombia vs DR Congo — Match in Progress

As of this update, **Colombia and DR Congo** were facing off in Group K in a crucial match. Colombia started strongly with a 3–1 win over Uzbekistan, while DR Congo held Portugal to a 1–1 draw. This match will determine who controls second place behind Portugal.

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## Looking Ahead — Key Matches Coming

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## FAQ

**Q: Who has qualified for the Round of 16 so far?**
A: No team has mathematically qualified yet, but USA, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, and France are all well-positioned with 6 points from their first two matches.

**Q: When do the knockout rounds start?**
A: The Round of 16 is scheduled to begin on **June 29, 2026**.

**Q: Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup?**
A: In the US, matches are broadcast on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish). Streaming is available via Fubo, YouTube TV, and Fox Sports app.

**Q: How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?**
A: The tournament has been expanded to **48 teams** for the first time, split into 12 groups of 4.

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## Final Thoughts

Day 10 of the 2026 World Cup served up drama, goals, and statement performances. Croatia proved they still have fight left, Portugal reminded everyone of their star power, and the USA continues to ride the home crowd energy. With group-stage matches winding down, every result matters more than ever.

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*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PC Master Deals earns from qualifying purchases. All stats and scores as of June 23, 2026, 9:30 PM ET.*

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*Tags: World Cup 2026, Croatia vs Panama, Portugal vs Uzbekistan, USA vs Australia, Cristiano Ronaldo, Group Stage*
*Category: World Cup 2026*

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