World Cup June 24: Ronaldo Scores at Sixth World Cup in Portugal 5-0 - England Held by Ghana
Ronaldo makes history, Kane misses from six yards. Plus Colombia 1-0 Congo, Croatia 1-0 Panama, Modric 200th cap.
Four matches on June 24 gave the World Cup two very different stories: Cristiano Ronaldo rewriting the record books in Houston, and Harry Kane staring at the grass in Foxborough after a miss from six yards.
Here is the full rundown from matchday 13.
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan - Ronaldo at six World Cups
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at six different World Cups as Portugal destroyed Uzbekistan 5-0 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Goals:
| Min | Scorer |
|---|---|
| 6’ | Ronaldo |
| 17’ | Nuno Mendes |
| 39’ | Ronaldo |
| 60’ | Abduvohid Nematov (og) |
| 87’ | Rafael Leao |
The 41-year-old answered critics after a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in round one. He now has 10 World Cup goals - tied for 10th all-time. After the match he posted simply: “I’m back.”
Portugal have 4 points. They face Colombia in Miami on Saturday needing a win to top Group K.
England 0-0 Ghana - Kane’s horror miss
England dominated possession. Created chances. Scored nothing.
Harry Kane had the clearest opening - six yards out, ball dropping off the crossbar after Nico O’Reilly’s header - and put it wide. Ghana sat deep, frustrated Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, and held on for a 0-0 draw at Gillette Stadium.
Ghana also had a strong penalty shout in the 79th minute when Ezri Konsa appeared to bundle over Prince Adu. No whistle.
The draw leaves England and Ghana level on 4 points in Group L, with Croatia just behind after beating Panama. Bellingham said there is “no reason to panic” - a win over eliminated Panama in the final group game should still send England through as group winners.
After a 4-2 opening win over Croatia, this was a cold shower.
Croatia 1-0 Panama - Modric’s 200th cap
In Toronto, substitute Ante Budimir scored in the 54th minute as Croatia beat Panama 1-0.
Panama are out after two straight 1-0 defeats - but they were not embarrassed. They hit the crossbar in the first half and pushed Croatia hard.
Luka Modric played his 200th international cap. At 40, he is still anchoring a team that needs a result against Ghana to secure second place.
Colombia 1-0 DR Congo - Munoz sends them through
The late game in Guadalajara was tighter than the score suggests.
Colombia had 20 shots. DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi was heroic for 76 minutes. Then Daniel Munoz - Crystal Palace wing-back - fired a deflected shot that wrong-footed the keeper.
Colombia are through to the last 32 with 6 points from 2 games. DR Congo stay alive for a third-place playoff spot if they beat Uzbekistan.
What it all means
- Ronaldo vs Colombia on Saturday decides Group K
- England must beat Panama and hope Ghana do not overrun Croatia
- Panama go home; Modric marches on
One day, two moods: a legend proving everyone wrong - and a favourite learning that at this World Cup, nothing is free.