The World Cup saw mixed fortunes for major nations on day 14, with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a brace in a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, while England was held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana. Croatia secured a crucial 1-0 win against Panama, highlighted by Luka Modric's 200th appearance for his country.
In Group K, Ronaldo, seeking to answer his critics, netted twice against Uzbekistan. His first was a sharp finish, and his second came from a Bruno Fernandes through ball. Portugal's other goals came from Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao, securing a comprehensive win. Meanwhile, Colombia also earned a narrow 1-0 victory over DR Congo thanks to a late goal from Daniel Munoz, putting them in a strong position to top their group.
England's attacking struggles were evident in their stalemate with Ghana. Despite significant possession, Thomas Tuchel's side failed to register a shot on target in the first half and created few clear chances. Harry Kane hit the crossbar late in the game, his rebound going over. England's possession percentage of 78.8% was the highest on record for a World Cup match without scoring. The draw, however, positions England to advance, with OPTA's bracket predictions suggesting a potential last-16 tie against Algeria and a quarter-final clash with Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast, or Norway. Croatia's win over Panama, sealed by Ante Budimir's second-half goal, keeps their hopes of advancing alive. Luka Modric was celebrated for reaching his 200th cap, playing 81 minutes before being substituted to applause.
Elsewhere in the tournament, the focus shifts to upcoming matches. Scotland faces a crucial encounter against Brazil, where a draw would likely secure their progression. Neymar is expected to make his World Cup debut for Brazil after recovering from injury. The battle for the top spot in Group B will see Switzerland face Canada, with both teams seeking to maintain their strong starts. In other fixtures, Bosnia & Herzegovina play Qatar in a must-win game, Morocco faces Haiti, Czechia meets Mexico, and South Africa takes on South Korea. The day's games also include Switzerland vs. Canada, Morocco vs. Haiti, Scotland vs. Brazil, Czechia vs. Mexico, and South Africa vs. South Korea.
Off the pitch, celebrity sightings included David Beckham and his son Cruz in the stands. American influencer IShowSpeed was visibly emotional, captured on livestream reacting to Ronaldo's performance. A flashpoint occurred at the end of the first half between England's Jude Bellingham and Ghana's manager Carlos Queiroz.