Portugal stumble into Croatia clash after Colombia stalemate

0–0 and second place

Portugal 0–0 Colombia on Saturday night, and your team finished second in Group K (1) (2). The result sends Portugal into a brutal knockout path. Croatia await in the round of 16, with Spain likely beyond that (3). Cristiano Ronaldo started again, but the night produced no breakthrough.

Diogo Costa: 'I would rather have won'

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa did not sugarcoat it. "Preferia ter ganho o jogo", I would rather have won the game, he said after the draw (3). Dalot and Rafael Leão also spoke, the mood more relief than celebration. Portugal are through, but nobody is pretending this was good enough.

A political voice weighs in

João Cotrim de Figueiredo, the former Liberal Initiative leader, pulled no punches: "Com o plantel que tem, Portugal tem obrigação de jogar mais", with this squad, Portugal have an obligation to play better (7). The criticism is no longer confined to the sports pages.

Argentina say thank you

Portugal finishing second has consequences beyond your own bracket. German outlet kicker reports that Argentina now have a significantly easier path to the semi-finals because Portugal are on the other side (9). Colombia topped the group and took the softer route instead.

The knockout bracket

The round of 16 is set. Portugal face Croatia on the European side of the draw, avoiding South America's heavyweights until later (5). Every round-of-16 fixture was confirmed Sunday, June 28 (6). One path, no margin left.