Overview
- Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice and becoming the first player to score in six World Cup tournaments, while Uzbekistan were eliminated after two losses.
- Colombia secured a last-16 berth with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo, clinching progression with six points from two matches.
- England drew 0-0 with Ghana, leaving the Three Lions in a fragile position in their group and making the final match decisive for group placings.
- Brazil name Neymar to the squad for the Scotland game and coach Carlo Ancelotti has tested using him as a false nine to manage fitness and attacking balance.
- The expanded 48-team format and many simultaneous final-round fixtures have produced provisional knockout brackets in the media and heightened concern about mutually beneficial draws that could shape who advances and who faces top seeds.