Ronaldo brace fuels Portugal ahead of Colombia decider

Ronaldo answers, Portugal roll 5–0

That is how you respond. Portugal 5–0 Uzbekistan on Tuesday, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (1) (4) (6). The noise before kickoff was deafening, a fan poll calling for him to be dropped, the draw against DR Congo still stinging. Ronaldo walked off with the match ball and a point to prove. Portuguese media called it "overwhelming" and said Ronaldo "cemented his legendary status" (11).

Rúben Dias returned to the lineup and the backline looked composed again after the Congo slip.

Win or go top: Colombia Saturday

Colombia beat DR Congo 1–0 through a James Rodríguez goal, booking their knockout spot with six points (5) (9). Portugal sit on four. The math is clean: beat Colombia on Saturday and you top Group K. A draw likely sends you through anyway, but first place matters (2) (5).

Closed doors today, eyes on Saturday

No cameras, no access. Portugal train behind closed doors Wednesday as preparation begins for the Colombia decider (3). A Benfica player remains limited and did not train fully, ruling him out of Saturday's match.

Ronaldo shuts down Messi question

A journalist asked about Lionel Messi after the match. Ronaldo did not hide his irritation. The moment was visibly tense (1) (6). He had just scored a brace in a must-win World Cup game. The question landed badly.

Zlatan: "I thought he never left"

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could not resist. After Ronaldo's post-match "I'm back" implication, Ibrahimovic hit back: "Je croyais qu'il n'était jamais parti?", "I thought he never left?" (14). The comment spread fast.

Dalot and Ronaldo: the hug that said more

After his first goal, Ronaldo ran straight to Diogo Dalot. The two built a close bond at Manchester United and the friendship endures. "We created a good connection at United, we keep the friendship today," Dalot said in 2025 (4). Small moment, big context.