Tuesday is the day Group K and Group L step back into the spotlight. Portugal can book a Round of 32 ticket with a win over Uzbekistan, Colombia chase the same in Atlanta, and the night closes with the fixture every European pundit circled before the tournament started: England versus Croatia. Here is what to watch and how it could play out.
The day's fixtures
- Portugal v Uzbekistan · Group K · 12:00 ET · NRG Stadium, Houston
- DR Congo v Colombia · Group K · 15:00 ET · Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Ghana v Panama · Group L · 18:00 ET · Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- England v Croatia · Group L · 21:00 ET · MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Portugal v Uzbekistan: a chance to clinch early
Portugal opened with a comfortable 2–0 win over DR Congo and now meet a Uzbekistan side that ground out a goalless draw with Colombia in their opener. Roberto Martínez has been candid about the squad's balance — too many forwards, not enough natural full-backs — but the forward depth is the kind of problem most managers would take. The question is whether to start Cristiano Ronaldo for the second game running or roll the dice on Gonçalo Ramos, who has been Portugal's best presser in build-up.
Uzbekistan will sit deep. They have not conceded yet at this World Cup and will likely be content to take a point. Portugal's job is to break a low block — which, if Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes get on the ball between the lines, they should manage. Win, and Portugal are through with a matchday to spare. Draw, and the group becomes a three-team scrap.
DR Congo v Colombia: the loser is in serious trouble
Colombia were one of the dark-horse picks coming in, but Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez could not break down Uzbekistan on matchday one. A second flat performance and they are heading home. DR Congo, meanwhile, lost to Portugal but looked dangerous in spells through Cédric Bakambu and the pace of the wide players from Ligue 1.
The over/under is a Colombia win, but not by the comfortable margin most expected. Néstor Lorenzo's side need their midfield to get higher up the pitch and force DR Congo back, because in transition this Congolese team can hurt anyone.
Ghana v Panama: a play-in feel
Both lost their openers — Ghana to England, Panama to Croatia — and both know the loser is essentially out. Ghana have the better individual talent, with Mohammed Kudus operating between the lines and Inaki Williams stretching the back line. Panama travel in numbers and are awkward to play against, defending in a 5-3-2 and looking for set pieces.
The smart bet is on Ghana edging it, but Panama have made nuisances of themselves at every World Cup they have attended. Watch for the first goal — it has been decisive in every Group L fixture so far.
England v Croatia: the rematch nobody asked Gareth Southgate about
Same fixture as the 2018 semi-final, different teams. Croatia have rebuilt around Luka Modrić's heirs — Martin Baturina is starting to look like the player Croatian fans always hoped Modrić would eventually hand off to — while England arrive with the deepest attack at the tournament. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and a centre-forward decision between Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins that will define the night.
Croatia's matchday-one win over Panama was scrappy. England's win over Ghana was clinical. The form pointer says England, the history says Croatia, the squad depth says England again. A draw suits neither — both want top spot to avoid a likely Round of 16 meeting with France. Expect both to push.
Three things to watch tonight
- Portugal's centre-forward choice. Roberto Martínez has been rotating between Ronaldo and Ramos. The pick against Uzbekistan tells you who starts in the knockouts.
- Colombia's first ten minutes. If they come out sharp, Group K opens up. If they look as flat as matchday one, DR Congo will smell blood.
- England's pressing height. Croatia's midfield three want to play. England under Thomas Tuchel have been more aggressive in pressing the first pass than Southgate's team ever was. The line they set decides who controls the game.
Standings entering Day 13
Group K (one game each): Portugal 3, Uzbekistan 1, Colombia 1, DR Congo 0.
Group L (one game each): England 3, Croatia 3, Ghana 0, Panama 0.
FAQ
What's the headline kick-off? England v Croatia at 21:00 ET on MetLife's giant stage. Expect global viewership numbers.
Who can qualify tonight? Portugal qualify with a win plus a Colombia-or-DR Congo draw. Either England or Croatia could qualify with a win plus a Ghana-Panama draw.
Where can I follow the scores? All four matches are tracked live on the Scorelisto soccer scores page, and you can find every World Cup matchday preview and recap on the Scorelisto blog.