The Portugal World Cup 2026 hopes became a bit more challenging after their goalless draw with Colombia on Saturday, June 27. The draw in the Portugal vs Colombia match meant that the Portuguese finished second in the group and will face Croatia in the Round of 32.
It was the second goalless draw in the Portugal World Cup 2026 campaign in three matches, as Cristiano Ronaldo was reduced to being a spectator for the majority of the Portugal vs Colombia match after his brace against Uzbekistan in their previous match.
Portugal World Cup 2026: Portugal’s Attack Firing Blanks Once More
Colombia had a staggering 26 shots in the match compared to Portugal’s 13, and also managed to have 55% ball-possession.
If the goalless draw against DR Congo was the result of astute defending by Roberto Martinez’s men, the game against Colombia saw the Portuguese being second-best for the majority of the match.
Colombia looked faster in transition and deadlier with their crosses into the box, while Portugal’s attacks fizzled away after an initial onslaught, just like in the match against DR Congo.
The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score is there for everyone to see; however, what bothers one more is that he was not substituted even when the match was veering towards a draw.
That can be attributed to two different reasons. Firstly, there is a subplot regarding Ronaldo and his presence on the pitch that seems to be more important than his team’s fortunes, quite inexplicably.
Secondly, Portugal doesn’t have good enough players on their bench to be used as centre-forwards. Goncalo Ramos, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, has 10 goals in 26 matches, but has scored only twice in his last 12 matches for his country. Moreover, he is yet to score against a really top team in his international career.
Goncalo Guedes is the other option they have as a number nine, but his eight goals in 34 international caps are not something to be very excited about either.
Thus, Portugal’s initial drive for a goal had to see them utilise the flanks with Pedro Neto and Joao Cancelo, but this strategy did not last long, and the team looked ordinary after that.
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Portugal World Cup 2026 Campaign: Tough Task In The Knockout Stages
Portugal will likely have their Iberian neighbour, Spain, as their Round of 16 opponents if they manage to overcome the challenge posed by Croatia.
The Croats made it to the final of the World Cup in 2018 and to the semi-final in 2022 and will certainly be no pushovers.
However, Spain, who are probably the second strongest team in the competition on paper after France, will pose a different sort of threat altogether.
Portugal will not find it easy to score against a Spanish defence, which has yet to let in a goal in the tournament.
However, the subplot regarding Ronaldo’s performance needs to disappear first for the sake of the Portugal World Cup 2026 hopes.
Irrespective of his achievements, he is only a part of the team, and that needs to be kept in mind. The demand of the sponsors, media and fans might suggest otherwise, but Roberto Martinez will have to make his team’s performances the main priority.
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