Overview
- The group stage finished on Saturday with England beating Panama 2-0 to secure top spot in Group L while Croatia’s 2-1 win over Ghana put the Croats into second place.
- Colombia and Portugal drew 0-0 in Miami leaving Colombia first in Group K and Portugal as group runners-up, which determined their Round of 32 opponents.
- DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta for its first-ever World Cup victory and qualification to the last 32, a result made possible by the tournament’s expanded 48-team format.
- Defending champion Argentina closed the groups unbeaten after a 3-1 win over Jordan in which Lionel Messi was introduced from the bench and scored.
- The confirmed bracket hands matchups such as England vs DR Congo and Portugal vs Croatia and highlights how head-to-head results, goal difference and the best third-place slots from Saturday will affect team rotation, tactics and the perceived difficulty of each side’s path.