The Croatia-Ghana and Colombia-Portugal matches can decide who will go through as first, second or best third. Live ranking times and context.
Luka Modric and Rafael Leao take to the pitch tonight in two decisive matches for qualification for the 2026 World Cup round of 16. 30am. The fate of the teams could depend on these results, with the possibility of determining who will go first, second or third best.
Croatia and Ghana are playing for qualification in group D. Croatia, the reigning world champion, starts as favorites but has to deal with a growing Ghana. After two draws (1-1 against Brazil and 0-0 against Switzerland), the Croatians need at least one point to guarantee the mathematical certainty of going through to the next round.
A success would see them finish the group in first place, while a draw could open up scenarios of a better third place. Ghana, however, must win to hope to progress to the next round, after losing 2-1 against Portugal and drawing 1-1 with Uruguay. A victory against Croatia would force the Ghanaians to hope for a miracle from others, but it would give them the satisfaction of closing the group with a prestigious performance.
Colombia and Portugal face each other in group E, where Colombia has already qualified first after two victories (2-0 against Japan and 1-0 against Poland). Portugal, however, must win to hope to move into second place, after the 3-0 defeat against France and the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. A success for the Lusitanians would see them through to the round of 16, while a draw or defeat would force them to hope for a miracle from others.
For Colombia, a defeat would change nothing: they would remain top of the group regardless of the result, but a success would allow them to close the group with maximum points and very high morale ahead of the round of 16. Modric, 39, aims to close the group stage with Croatia still unbeaten, but Kudus and Partey's Ghana will not be an easy opponent. Leao, on the other hand, will have the opportunity to lead Portugal towards the round of 16, but will have to deal with a solid Colombia determined to finish the group in first place.
Both players represent the experience and leadership needed to handle the pressure of these crucial matches. The dynamic of group D offers a classic scenario: a favorite looking for easy points against an outsider looking for redemption. Croatia, fresh from a triumphant World Cup, cannot afford any missteps, but Ghana has already shown that it can keep up with higher-ranking teams.
The draw with Uruguay showed resilience, while the defeat against Portugal left a mark. For the Ghanaians, this is the last card to play: a victory would catapult them into a prestigious position, forcing Croatia to recalculate their plans. In group E, however, the match takes on a different value.
Colombia, already qualified, plays for pride and to finish the group in first place, but Portugal is not a team to be underestimated. The Portuguese team, despite having lost against France, showed character in drawing against the Netherlands. A win would make them a force to be feared in the round of 16, while a failure would force them to hope for another's mistake.
For Colombia, then, there is also the question of momentum: closing the group undefeated would be a clear message to the rest of the tournament. "These matches are fundamental for our qualification," Modric said in a press conference. " The Portuguese coach also underlined the importance of the match: "We need a victory to close the group with dignity and face the round of 16 with serenity".
What changes after tonight? If Croatia wins, they will qualify as top of group D and would probably face a second team from group C, E or F. If they draw, it will depend on the other results, but they could still finish among the best third-placed teams.
For Portugal, however, only a victory will guarantee passage to the next round, while a draw or defeat will leave everything pending until the final day. Colombia, already qualified, could finish the group unbeaten if they win, giving confidence for the rest of the tournament. Read at MilanNews24
Tonight's matches can decide who will go through as first, second or best third in their respective groups. For Croatia, a success would guarantee first place and an easier path to the round of 16. For Portugal, however, only a victory would allow them to avoid dependencies on other results. Modric and Leao, two of the most experienced players of the tournament, will have the task of guiding their teams towards the mathematical certainty of going through to the next round. Colombia, already qualified, could finish the group unbeaten, strengthening their candidacy as the team to beat in the tournament. These night matches are not just qualifying matches, but also mentality tests: whoever can handle the pressure will have a psychological advantage as early as the round of 16.
MilanNews24milannews24.comBy Stefano CoriJun 27, 5:30 PMit-IT
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