England beat Croatia in a six-goal thriller. England began their Group L campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far. Luka Modric was penalised for a foul, and Harry Kane scored the first goal from the penalty spot, his first effort saved, but the penalty was ordered to be retaken after the goalkeeper encroachment, and Kane duly converted. Croatia responded with a long-range strike from Martin Baturina, but England retook the lead when Kane headed home from a corner delivered by Declan Rice. Croatia equalised once more before the breakthrough through Petar Musa. England took control in the second half with a fine finish from a tight angle by Jude Bellingham to put England ahead again before substitutes Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford combined for Rashford to add a fourth to seal the win.
Ghana snatched a late win over Panama. Ghana scored a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama thanks to a stoppage-time goal. Panama had the better of the chances for much of the match, especially in a first half in which Ghana failed to register a single shot on target. The second half developed into a more even, end-to-end game, but neither side could find a breakthrough until the closing stages. Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the 95th minute after Brandon Thomas-Asante broke clear and passed a low ball across the face of the goal, sparking wild celebrations and securing all three points for Ghana.
The result sees Ghana level with England at the top of Group L on three points each. Notably, Ghana played the match without midfielder Thomas Partey, whose visa application had already been denied the previous week, after a Canadian judge rejected a bid to allow him into the country while he awaits trial on rape charges in Britain.
Colombia Stages Come-From-Behind Victory Over Uzbekistan Colombia staged a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in the Asian side's first-ever World Cup match before a passionate crowd in Mexico City. Daniel Munoz opened the scoring for Colombia in an almost total domination of the first half. But Uzbekistan restored parity in the second half when Eldor Shomurodov's shot was blocked, and Abbosbek Fayzullaev tapped in a rebound, levelling the score and stunning the home crowd. Luis Diaz soon restored Colombia's lead with his first World Cup goal, before substitute Jaminton Campaz added a third in stoppage time to seal the win. That leaves Colombia top of Group K.
Ronaldo Frustrated As Portugal Stalemate With DR Congo
In the day's first fixture, Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in what will be seen as a shock result for the European side. Joao Neves gave Portugal the lead with a header from a Pedro Neto cross, seemingly setting the team up for a comfortable opening win. But DR Congo took it in their stride, soaking up pressure before launching effective counterattacks. Yoane Wissa headed home from an Arthur Masuaku cross to level late in the first half, grabbing a hard-fought point for the African side and leaving Ronaldo and his teammates frustrated as they start their World Cup campaign with a draw.
What's Next
The first round of games in Groups K and L is complete, and all eyes are now on the next set of fixtures later in the tournament. Group K and Group L resume action on June 23 with Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, England vs. Ghana, and Panama vs. Croatia before the final group matches are played on June 27. The results so far have left both sides finely balanced ahead of the remaining fixtures.
