World Cup 2026 day 13: Group K recap

Group K kicked off its second matchday of the World Cup on Tuesday. Portugal and Uzbekistan started their action at 1:00 EDT, then Colombia and DR Congo wrapped up the day at 10:00 EDT.

General view inside the stadium of giant Portugal and Uzbekistan flags as the teams walk out onto the pitch before the match

Annegret Hilse

World Cup Group K - Matchday 2

Portugal 5 - 0 Uzbekistan 

Finally, Portugal has earned three points in a game this tournament. Their 1-1 draw with DR Congo was a shocker.

On Tuesday afternoon, they delivered one of the most dominant performances out of any country so far. They are firmly back in control of Group K, all thanks to their all-time leading goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo scored the first goal of the match and his first of the tournament right in the 6'. João Cancelo cut into the outside of the box and rifled a pass inside that Ronaldo was able to get enough of. His first goal of the tournament made him the first-ever player to score in six different World Cups, and it sent the Portuguese crowd into a frenzy. 

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal

MARIA LYSAKER

Nuno Mendes doubled Portugal's lead in the 17'. A clever free-kick setup put Uzbekistan in no man's land; they had no idea what to do. Ronaldo started walking towards the ball, as if he were taking the kick, but then Mendes swooped in and fired it into the back of the net, stunning Uzbekistan.  

Guess who scored again in the 39'? That's right, Ronaldo. On a rapid break, Bruno Fernandes slipped a throughball into the right area, and Ronaldo sent the ball into the bottom left corner. 3-0 Portugal.

An own-goal from Uzbekistan in the 60' gave Portugal a 4-0 lead. Fernandes delivered a low corner, Joao Felix flicked the ball, and it hit Abdukodir Khusanov, then off the keeper and into the net. 

Portugal's Rafael Leao scores their fifth goal

MARIA LYSAKER

Rafael Leão potted the fifth goal of the match in the 87'. Nelson Semedo was aiming his pass for Ronaldo, but it deflected into Leão's path, and he hammered it home. 

This was a statement game from Portugal. Lots of talk and controversy after a draw with DR Congo was put to rest. There's still a lot of work to do, but they are back on track. 

Colombia 1 - 0 DR Congo

With the win over DR Congo, Colombia has advanced to the Round of 32. Colombia has won both games of its World Cup campaign and sits at the top of Group K.

General view of the flags of Colombia and DR Congo on the pitch before the match

Raquel Cunha

Colombia was in full control before the first hydration break. They were creating chance after chance after chance. Daniel Muñoz was getting up to speed and had two strong chances in the first half, but Colombia just couldn't solve Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau. Mpasi-Nzau made eight saves throughout the match, keeping the Congo alive against a relentless attacking side. 

In the second half, DR Congo began pushing higher up the field. They began to look sharper on the counterattack, and their pacey attackers were giving the Colombian defense trouble. 

Colombia's Daniel Munoz celebrates scoring their first goal with Luis Diaz and Davinson Sanchez

Eloisa Sanchez

Colombia's midfield remained in control of the tempo and was strong in preventing DR Congo from creating any more dangerous chances. 

In the 76', Colombia finally solved Mpasi-Nzau. Juan Quintero sent a pass towards Jhon Córdoba in the box, who was tangled up with Steve Kapuadi. Córdoba did just enough to keep Kapuadi away from the ball so it could slowly roll to a sprinting Mũnoz, who fired a shot into the bottom right corner. It took a while, but Colombia was finally in the lead. 

DR Congo's Chancel Mbemba and teammates look dejected after the match

Raquel Cunha

DR Congo had a strong chance in the 90', but Camilo Vargas was able to get his hands on the ball for a deflection. It was the first and only save that Vargas made all night. 

Colombia was able to hold onto the 1-0 lead to go atop of Group K and advance to the Round of 32. 

Day 13, Group K, Round-up:

Group K wraps up its Group Stage on Saturday night. Both matches are at 7:30 pm EDT. Colombia and Portugal take each other on in Miami, then Uzbekistan and DR Congo face off in Atlanta.