Group K and Group L will be featured on Tuesday as the second set of group-stage games continue at the FIFA World Cup.
Let’s take a closer look at Tuesday’s action and what’s at stake.
Portugal look to rebound in Group K
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan - 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on TSN1/3/4/5, TSN.ca, and TSN App
Portugal will be looking for redemption after a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening match at the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal got off to a strong start against Congo with João Neves scoring in the sixth minute. However, Congo tied it up during stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Portugal had opportunities to regain the lead but failed to capitalize. Neves’ goal would end up being Portugal’s only shot on goal in the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed two shots wide right in the second half. Ronaldo has now failed to score in his past 10 appearances in major tournaments.
Portugal entered the World Cup as the favourites in Group K, but its draw against Congo has put them on the back foot.
Group K Standings
Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi as the only players to appear in six World Cups. His best result with Portugal is a quarter-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup.
Ninth-ranked Portugal should have an easier time against 54th-ranked Uzbekistan than it did against 43rd-ranked Congo.
Uzbekistan played its first ever World Cup game when it lost 3-1 to Colombia in its opening match.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored the first World Cup goal for Uzbekistan in the 60th minute of Wednesday’s match.
Uzbekistan were outshot 15-7 by Colombia, including 6-3 on target.
An Uzbekistan win or draw at Houston Stadium would make it the second time that Portugal fails to win in their opening two matches at a World Cup. The only other time was in 2014 when Portugal failed to advance out of the group stage.
Colombia vs. DR Congo - 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on TSN1/3/4/5, TSN.ca, and TSN App
Colombia can secure its place in the knockout stage with a win over Congo on Tuesday.
Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring in the first half for Colombia in its opening match win against Uzbekistan. Luis Díaz regained the lead for Colombia in the second half after Uzbekistan tied it. Jáminton Campaz put the match away with a goal late in stoppage time.
Colombia is back in the World Cup after not qualifying for Qatar. The country’s best showing was a quarter-final appearance in 2014. Colombia advanced to the Round of 16 in its most recent World Cup appearance in 2018.
Congo is making just its second World Cup appearance and its first since 1974.
Yoane Wissa’s tying goal against Portugal was the first goal for Congo in World Cup history. The draw earned the country its first-ever point at the World Cup.
England, Ghana battle for top spot in Group L
England vs. Ghana - 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on TSN1/3/4, TSN.ca, and TSN App
Harry Kane scored two goals against Croatia in England’s opening match to tie Gary Lineker for the most goals by an English player in the World Cup.
Jude Bellingham broke a 2-2 tie early in the second half, helping England open its tournament with a 4-2 win.
It was a redemptive win for England. The last time these teams met in the World Cup was in the 2018 semifinals, which Croatia won 2-0.
Midfielder Declan Rice is expected to be available for England against Ghana. Rice left England’s match against Croatia early in the second half due to a lingering back injury.
England holds the top spot in Group L over Ghana after the first set of group stage matches.
Group L Standings
England lost to France in the quarter-finals in the 2022 World Cup.
England has appeared in every World Cup since 1950. They won in 1966 as the host nation.
Ghana managed a 1-0 win in their opening match against Panama despite being outshot 11-8, including 4-3 in shots on target. In fact, Ghana did not have a shot attempt until the second half.
Caleb Yirenkyi secured the win for Ghana with a goal in stoppage time during the second half.
Ghana’s best result at a World Cup is a quarter-final appearance in 2010. They failed to advance past the group stage in 2022.
Both England and Ghana have a chance to secure the top spot in Group L. England will top Group L if they beat Ghana while Croatia beats Panama. Ghana will take the group with a win over England, coupled with a win by Panama over Croatia.
Panama vs. Croatia - 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on TSN1/3/4/5, TSN.ca, and TSN App
The World Cup returns to Toronto Stadium with both Panama and Croatia looking to bounce back from their opening match losses.
Despite having never won the World Cup, Croatia has finished on the podium in three of its six previous appearances. That includes a third-place finish in 2022 and a second-place finish in 2018.
Croatia kept with England in the first half of their opening match, but were unable to rebound after England took a 3-2 lead early in the second half.
Panama was minutes away from earning it’s first ever point in just its second World Cup appearance.
In their opening match against Ghana, Panama held possession for 63 percent of the match and outshot their opponent but were unable to find the back of the net.
Both teams could be eliminated from contention for the knockout stage. Croatia would be eliminated with a loss, coupled with a win for Ghana over England. Panama would be eliminated with a loss, coupled with a win for England over Ghana.
