The Short Version
Two days after Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo answered with a record of his own: a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan made him the first player to score at six different World Cups. Elsewhere on 23 June, Croatia edged Panama 1-0 as Luka Modrić won his 200th cap, England were held to a second straight goalless draw by Ghana, and Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 and send the debutants home.
Two days, two pieces of history
The tournament has turned into a duel of milestones between its two defining forwards. On 22 June, Messi moved clear of Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. On 23 June, Ronaldo replied with a record Messi cannot claim — becoming the first man to find the net at six separate World Cups, a span reaching back to Germany 2006.
Beneath the headline, the day did real damage to the group standings. Two World Cup debutants, Jordan and Panama, were eliminated; Portugal and Croatia took control of their pools; and England’s stutter continued.
Group K: Ronaldo’s record, Portugal’s statement
Portugal needed a response after a flat opener, and they delivered an emphatic one. Ronaldo opened the scoring after six minutes, turning in a João Cancelo cross from close range to write his name into the record books, as FIFA’s match report details. At 41 years and 138 days, he also became the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history, behind only Roger Milla.
He was not done. Nuno Mendes curled in a free kick to make it two, and Ronaldo added a controlled third before the break for his brace. An Abduvohid Nematov own goal made it four after the hour, and substitute Rafael Leão thumped in a fifth late on, as Al Jazeera reported. The 5-0 win lifted Portugal to the top of Group K and left Uzbekistan, beaten heavily in both games, out of contention. ESPN’s coverage framed it as the night Ronaldo arrived at the tournament.
Group L: Croatia get going as England stall again
Croatia’s campaign finally found a spark. Ante Budimir, on as a second-half substitute, tapped in a Josip Stanišić cross at the far post to settle a 1-0 win over Panama — a result that sent the Central Americans out and let Luka Modrić celebrate his 200th international cap with three points, as OneFootball noted. ESPN had the full sequence.
England, meanwhile, are still searching for fluency. A goalless draw with Ghana, as NBC’s live coverage recorded, was their second stalemate in a row — enough to keep them top of the group on points, but not the performance their supporters were waiting for. Ghana, level with England, are well placed of their own accord.
Group J: Algeria come from behind to send Jordan out
Algeria left it late and left it stylish. Trailing to an Al Rashdan goal, they turned the game around through two second-half set-piece finishes — Nadhir Benbouali levelling and Amine Gouiri completing the comeback, as Sky Sports detailed. The 2-1 win was Algeria’s first of the tournament and ended the road for Jordan, who exit on their World Cup debut without a point from two games.
Where the groups stand now
The eliminations sharpened three pictures. In Group K, Portugal sit top on four points, with Colombia close behind and Uzbekistan gone. In Group L, England and Ghana share the lead on four, Croatia have life on three, and Panama are out. In Group J, Argentina are already through as winners, leaving Austria and Algeria — both on three points — to settle the second qualifying place in the final round.
For all the talk of one number, the day belonged to a familiar name. Two days earlier, Messi had stood alone at the top of the scoring charts. Now Ronaldo had his own line in the record books — and Portugal, at last, looked the part.
Frequently asked questions
Which teams played on June 23, 2026? Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in Group K, Croatia beat Panama 1-0 and England drew 0-0 with Ghana in Group L, and Algeria beat Jordan 2-1 in Group J.
What record did Cristiano Ronaldo set? Ronaldo became the first player to score at six different World Cups, finding the net in a span stretching from 2006 to 2026. At 41 years and 138 days, he is also the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history.
How did Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0? Ronaldo scored twice and Nuno Mendes added a free kick, with an Abduvohid Nematov own goal and a late Rafael Leão strike completing the rout.
Who scored in Croatia’s win over Panama? Substitute Ante Budimir scored the only goal, finishing a Josip Stanišić cross. Luka Modrić marked his 200th international cap with the win.
Why is Jordan out of the World Cup? Jordan lost 2-1 to Algeria and finished their first World Cup with two defeats and no points, ending their hopes of advancing from Group J.
What happened in England vs Ghana? The match finished 0-0, England’s second straight goalless draw, leaving them level with Ghana at the top of Group L.
Which teams were eliminated on June 23? World Cup debutants Jordan and Panama were both knocked out, Jordan after losing to Algeria and Panama after losing to Croatia.
How do Groups K, L and J look now? Portugal lead Group K, England and Ghana share the top of Group L, and Argentina have already won Group J, with Austria and Algeria fighting for second.
About the author: James O’Connor is investigative football correspondent at Touchline Global, the London-based independent football journalism outlet founded in 2012 and specializing in FIFA governance, commercial reporting, and football’s political economy. O’Connor has covered every FIFA World Cup since Brazil 2014. Contact: james.oconnor@touchline.global · LinkedIn: /in/james-oconnor-touchline · X: @JamesOConnorTG
