FIFA World Cup 2026 results round up Day 7: England hit 4, Portugal held and Ghana start with win
World Cup 2026 results: Portugal get their World Cup campaign underway against DR Congo as Colombia battle it out against debutants Uzbekistan in Group K. In Group L, England play Croatia, and Ghana begin against Panama.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Portugal failed to kick into gear as the DR Congo made their own history in the Group K clash between the teams. The Portuguese side, brimming with talent, started on the front foot after Joao Neves headed home from a sublime Pedro Neto cross. But it was as good as it got for the European side.
With Cristiano Ronaldo upfront, they were expected to build on from there, but it was DR Congo who grew into the game. Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa emphatically met Arthur Masuaku’s cross to score his nation’s first goal at the World Cup in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.
DR Congo had only one previous appearance at the global stage, making their debut in 1974 and losing all three games without scoring a goal. But on this occasion they were more than a match for their opponents. Portugal had a goal ruled for offside in the second half and did look lively in parts but failed to find a way through. The Leopards, to their credit, were solid and even threatened to score on the counter attack but lacked composure in the final third.
Before the match, there were questions about whether Ronaldo’s presence would help or hamper his side, and on this evidence, it appears Roberto Martinez has a few tough calls to make. Next up for them is Uzbekistan on June 23, while DR Congo play Colombia on June 24.
England 4-2 Croatia
England made an entertaining start to the 2026 World Cup after outscoring Croatia in their Group L match. The game in Dallas began a little too open-ended but English nerves were calmed after Harry Kane scored a retaken penalty in the 12th minute. While they continued to threaten, it was Croatia who scored next to draw level.
Martin Baturina’s powerful strike made it 1-1 in the 36th minute. But the action wasn’t done. Six minutes later, Kane put his side back ahead with a header from Declan Rice’s corner. Zlatko Dalić’s team responded again before the end of the first half with Petar Musa volleying home in stoppage time.
The Three Lions came out with more purpose in the second half, and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham raced and finished a move to put his side ahead for the third time. Thomas Tuchel’s side continued to attack and were only denied a fourth after Dominik Livakovic made successive saves from Nico O’Reilly, Anthony Gordon, and Ezri Konsa.
England did their fourth goal after Marcus Rashford stroked the ball home from Bukayo Saka’s pass in the 85th minute. While the defense needs improvement, the attacking display by one-time World Cup winners will have their fans excited for the rest of the tournament.
They will play Ghana next on June 23, and Croatia will look to pick themselves up when they face Panama on the same date.
Ghana 1-0 Panama
Ghana edged past Panama in dramatic fashion to start their World Cup campaign on a winning note. African sides have impressed in the tournament so far, with Cape Verde and DR Congo pulling off stunning results. Still, the continent only had one win to their name with Ivory Coast’s victory over Ecuador. That changed in Toronto.
It was Panama, playing just their second World Cup, who almost took the lead early on. Cecilio Waterman’s attempt was just tipped over the bar by Lawrence Ati Zigi in the second minute. The game remained cagey, with chances at a premium as both sides laboured through the first half.
The next 45 minutes had a similar tune, but Jordan Ayew did go close to putting four-time African champions ahead only to be denied by Jiovany Ramos’s last-ditch block. The Canaleros then saw Cristian Martinez hit the side netting only a few yards out from the goal. While Panama looked likely to grab a win, it was the Black Stars who came away with a win.
But in the 94th minute of stoppage time, Brandon Thomas-Asante galloped up the left side and played the ball across for Caleb Yirenkyi to score a late, late winner for Carlos Queiroz’s side. Panama would be disappointed with the outcome and would feel they deserved their first World Cup point after a spirited performance.
Thomas Christiansen’s side will face Croatia in their next game on June 23, and Ghana will have a lot to improve when they take on England on the same date.
Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan
Colombia celebrated their World Cup return in style after beating debutants Uzbekistan in their Group L encounter. Having missed out on the competition in 2022, the South American side were keen to make up for the lost time.
Their attacking verve was on full display as Jhon Arias and then Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz went close to scoring the opening goal. Their endeavor was finally rewarded in the 40th minute when defender Daniel Munoz volleyed home after a smooth turn.
Uzbekistan appeared short of answers but were level after Abbosbek Fayzullaev nodded home from close range after Eldor Shomurodov’s effort was parried by Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. The goal at the hour mark was monumental for Fabio Cannavaro’s side, but parity lasted only five minutes.
Diaz struck a powerful shot that wriggled past Uzbek keeper Utkir Yusupov, as Los Cafeteros went in front. Uzbekistan still had the chance to snatch a shock late equalizer, but Akmal Mozgovoy’s shot went just wide in the 90th minute. Colombia then deservedly scored a third after Jaminton Campaz headed in from Cucho Hernandez’s cross in the ninth minute of added time.
Colombia, top of Group K, now head into the game against DR Congo full of confidence, while the White Wolves will hope for a more solid display against Portugal on June 23.
