We now have 30 of the 32 berths in the knockout phase secured at the men’s World Cup, with Saturday officially closing out what has been a fantastic Group Stage at this year’s tournament.
Below, we’ll break down the day’s scores, updated tables and top highlights as we bid adieu to the Group Stage.
Algeria vs. Austria, 10 p.m. ET
Jordan vs. Argentina, 10 p.m. ET
*clinched berth in knockout phase
Colombia Win Group K After Breathless Draw vs. Portugal
Sometimes, you don’t need goals for a footy match to still be absolutely brilliant. Colombia’s scoreless draw against Portugal is a great example.
Despite no goals, the two powerhouses played an open and exciting game of football on Saturday that resulted in Colombia finishing atop Group K.
And the margin between the two team was about the width of a toenail, according to VAR, after it disallowed Davinson Sánchez’s would-be winner in second-half stoppage time.
But this was the sort of performance that should give Colombia confidence going forward. They held 55 percent of possession, were better in xG (1.63-0.69), outshot Portugal 24-13 (6-2 on goal) and had five corners to just two for the Portuguese.
Colombia is for real, and a matchup against Ghana awaits in the Round of 32. Portugal, meanwhile, will face Croatia.
DR Congo are off to the Knockout Phase
DR Congo’s first-ever win at the World Cup also secured its place in the Round of 32.
The African nation defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday to move onto the knockout phase, where England awaits.
Yoane Wissa’s brace and Fiston Mayele’s 78th-minute goal advanced DR Congo.
Eldor Shomurodov scored Uzbekistan’s second goal of the tournament, but it wasn’t enough to hold off DR Congo.
That’s now eight African nations that have qualified for the Round of 32 (and Algeria could yet make it nine). The tournament of Africa continues.
England Secure Top Spot in Group L
For 45 minutes, it looked as though England might give away the top spot in Group L, with Panama bogging them down.
But second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane ensured that England didn’t falter in a 2-0 victory over Panama.
England’s opponent for the Round of 32 is yet to be decided, though either Senegal or DR Congo are the two most likely candidates, depending on the remainder of Saturday’s games.
Croatia Top Ghana to Take Second Spot in Group L
Both Croatia and Ghana were gunning for at least the No. 2 spot in Group L on Saturday, and perhaps the top spot depending on England’s result. Ultimately, Croatia prevailed.
Goals from Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic gave Croatia a 2-1 victory on Saturday, setting up a Round of 32 matchup against the Group K runner-up (either Colombia or Portugal).
Derrick Luckassen’s goal in the 73rd minute pulled Ghana even, but Vlasic answered back in the 83rd minute to put Croatia ahead for good.
Ghana will now face the Group K winner in the Round of 32, either Colombia or Portugal.
