Only in the final can they face Messi's Argentina and Cristiano's Portugal
While now Cristiano Ronaldo can only face Lionel Messi in the final, after Portugal's draw against Colombia 0-0
The Colombian national team dominated. But they failed to score a goal against Portugal, which did not bother them. As the 0-0 gave them first place in the 11th group of the 2026 World Cup. Leaving Cristiano Ronaldo's Iberians in second place.
So, the Colombian national team will face Ghana in the round of 32 and Portugal will face Croatia. While now
Cristiano Ronaldo can only face
Lionel Messi in the final.
Colombia and Portugal therefore drew the curtain on the group stage by remaining 0-0, with the South Americans thus securing the lead in Group 11 and facing Ghana in the knockout stages of the 23rd World Cup. On the other hand, the Iberians go to a European derby with Croatia.
The pace in the first half was excellent, with Cordoba threatening from the first seconds for the Browns and Bruno Fernandes responding with an inaccurate dribble shot in the 12th minute. Five minutes later, Cordoba saw Costa stop him, while in the 24th minute Ronaldo executed a direct free kick from long range but failed to beat goalkeeper Vargas.
The Colombian goalkeeper also said no to Bruno Fernandes' powerful shot in the 39th minute, with Joao Felix missing from an advantageous position three minutes later. Two saves from Diogo Costa followed from efforts by Puerta (45') and James Rodriguez (45+3'), with the first half ending, paradoxically, without a score.
The second half began with a missed header from Joao Felix (51'), with Diogo Costa easily stopping Arias' shot in the 55th minute. A missed shot from Rios (62') followed, with the Portuguese goalkeeper stopping Arias again in the 66th minute, before Puerta shot wide seconds later.
Dalot (79') and Suarez (88') then also failed to score, with 0-0 being the final result in Miami - as Sanchez's goal in the first minute of injury time did not count for offside... by millimeters!

Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Budapest (Hungary).












