England Held in Feisty Goalless Draw
England were left frustrated after a 0-0 stalemate with Ghana at the World Cup 2026, leaving their group fate in the balance. Thomas Tuchel's side dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute Ghanaian defence, with the match's biggest talking point a controversial penalty shout turned down by the referee.
Abdul Fatawu appeared to be felled by Ezri Konsa inside the box, but after a VAR check, play continued. Tuchel urged fans not to lose belief, while Ghana were left fuming. Earlier, Jordan Pickford was fortunate to escape a red card after racing out of his box and colliding with Fatawu, in a incident deemed a collision rather than a foul.
"I don't really see how you can't give it. Fatawu was in and Konsa launches into him, getting nowhere near the ball," said a frustrated observer on the penalty decision.
The result leaves England needing a positive result in their final group game to secure passage to the knockout stage.
Portugal and Ronaldo Roar Back
In other action, Portugal kick-started their campaign with a thumping 4-0 win over Uzbekistan. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, declaring "I'm back," though questions remain over whether his presence disrupts the team's fluidity. With Bernardo Silva left out, Roberto Martínez faces selection dilemmas ahead of tougher tests.
Croatia edged Panama 1-0 to stay alive, while Colombia’s 2-0 victory over DR Congo eliminated the latter. Those results, combined with earlier qualifiers Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, and the USA, mean the round of 32 picture is taking shape.
Final Group Games Spark High Drama
With the final round of group matches kicking off, all eyes are on Scotland vs Brazil in Group C. The Scots, backed by a raucous Tartan Army in Miami, need a result against the five-time champions to keep their World Cup dream alive. Brazil have already qualified, but Scotland sit on three points and a narrow goal difference in the third-place race.
In Group B, co-hosts Canada face Switzerland with top spot at stake, while Bosnia and Herzegovina take on eliminated Qatar. Group A sees South Africa battle South Korea and Czechia meet already-qualified Mexico. The eight best third-placed sides will also progress, making every goal and point critical. Broadcast details remain unconfirmed for many territories; fans are advised to check local listings for official coverage.
Key Takeaways
- England’s goalless draw with Ghana leaves them needing a result in their final group game, with a penalty controversy dominating post-match discussion.
- Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo sent a statement with a 4-0 win, but tactical questions persist over the veteran star’s role.
- Scotland’s huge clash with Brazil in Miami headlines the final group fixtures, with co-hosts Canada also chasing top spot.
- The eight best third-placed teams will qualify, keeping many nations in contention ahead of today’s decisive games.
Quick Facts
Yesterday's Results: England 0-0 Ghana, Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan, Croatia 1-0 Panama, Colombia 2-0 DR Congo
Today's Key Fixtures: Switzerland vs Canada (Group B), Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar (Group B), Morocco vs Haiti (Group C), Scotland vs Brazil (Group C), South Africa vs South Korea (Group A), Czechia vs Mexico (Group A)
Qualified for Round of 32: Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, USA, Colombia