Colombia v Portugal: World Cup 2026 – live

Key events Let’s begin with the tangible stakes ... If Portugal win this game, they win Group K, and Colombia will be second, resulting in these matchups: Portugal: July 3 in Kansas City vs. the third-place team in Group L, if that team qualifies. Should the Group L team fall short, they’ll face the third-place team in Group I, which is Senegal. Colombia: July 2 in Toronto vs. the runner-up in Group L (England, Ghana or Croatia). If these teams draw, Colombia will win Group K, and Portugal will be second, so reverse the previous options. If Colombia win, they win Group K, and Portugal will be second unless DR Congo make up a six-goal gap in goal difference. If that happens, Portugal would be third and would face the Group L winner (England, Ghana or Croatia). Now let’s talk about the intangible stakes ... Cristiano Ronaldo has had a pretty good career. He’s good enough that kids in the schools where I work, upon finding that I follow this sport, ask me, “Messi or Ronaldo?” The case for Ronaldo has dwindled, but the mere fact that the question is asked is proof that his marketing team have successfully reached fifth-graders. (Or that he is, indeed, a halfway decent player.) He has won eight domestic championships (three in a row with Manchester United, two with Real Madrid, two with Juventus, one with Al-Nassr) and five UEFA Champions League trophies (one with Manchester United, the rest with Real Madrid). …