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On a day where stars did star things at the World Cup, who were the biggest winners and losers?
Sorry, Cristiano Ronaldo fans, you might want to sit this one out and come back tomorrow.
More news: Roberto Martínez Is Under Fire After Defending Ronaldo’s World Cup Dud
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 17: Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal walks off the pitch after the 1-1 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Congo DR at Houston Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
More news: Watching Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup Was Honestly Depressing
Lionel Messi did Lionel Messi things by scoring a brace against Austria and becoming the sole holder of the player with the most goals in World Cup history, men or women, with 18.
The first game for Ronaldo and Portugal was terrible. They ended up with a lackluster 1-1 draw with DR Congo, where Ronaldo couldn’t muster up any impactful chances.
Messi has five goals. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland both have four each. Harry Kane is scoring. Mohamed Salah is scoring. All the top players and young talents across the board are putting it in the back of the next, except Ronaldo.
And with Portugal desperately needing a win tomorrow against debutant Uzbekistan before a superpower clash with Colombia, all eyes will be on Ronaldo to not only do something tomorrow but to rise to the occasion.
At 41, this is truly his last shot to win the World Cup and leave a lasting impression on the global stage. If things go sideways tomorrow, things go from mildly concerning to frightening.
Haaland and the Vikings of Norway qualified for the Round of 32 and decided to celebrate with the primarily pro-Norwegian crowd in New Jersey.
How cool is this?
For the first time this World Cup, the mandatory hydration break was defeated.
France and Iraq were delayed over two hours due to lightning storms, which meant that they didn’t have the hydration break during the second half. Luckily, both teams made it through without the water break after the downpour of rain.
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Sorry, Cristiano Ronaldo fans, you might want to sit this one out and come back tomorrow.
More news: Roberto Martínez Is Under Fire After Defending Ronaldo’s World Cup Dud
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 17: Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal walks off the pitch after the 1-1 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Congo DR at Houston Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
More news: Watching Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup Was Honestly Depressing
Winner: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi did Lionel Messi things by scoring a brace against Austria and becoming the sole holder of the player with the most goals in World Cup history, men or women, with 18.
MESSI WITH THE BRACE TO PASS MARTA FOR THE MOST-EVER GOALS, MAN OR WOMAN, IN A FIFA WORLD CUP pic.twitter.com/Ww5Wz9FnHk
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 22, 2026
Watching Lionel Messi become the highest goalscorer in men's World Cup history #Soccer#Football#MLBpic.twitter.com/SeUumisfTc
— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2026
All of the modern greats are at this World Cup – Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, Salah, Kane – and all of them are scoring great goals.
Except one.
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) June 23, 2026
Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo
The first game for Ronaldo and Portugal was terrible. They ended up with a lackluster 1-1 draw with DR Congo, where Ronaldo couldn’t muster up any impactful chances.
Messi has five goals. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland both have four each. Harry Kane is scoring. Mohamed Salah is scoring. All the top players and young talents across the board are putting it in the back of the next, except Ronaldo.
And with Portugal desperately needing a win tomorrow against debutant Uzbekistan before a superpower clash with Colombia, all eyes will be on Ronaldo to not only do something tomorrow but to rise to the occasion.
At 41, this is truly his last shot to win the World Cup and leave a lasting impression on the global stage. If things go sideways tomorrow, things go from mildly concerning to frightening.
Winner: Norway
Haaland and the Vikings of Norway qualified for the Round of 32 and decided to celebrate with the primarily pro-Norwegian crowd in New Jersey.
How cool is this?
Norway team doing the rowing celebration with Haaland in front after qualifying pic.twitter.com/V0bD4814PM
— 17 (@DxBruyneSZN) June 23, 2026
Loser: Hydration Break
For the first time this World Cup, the mandatory hydration break was defeated.
France and Iraq were delayed over two hours due to lightning storms, which meant that they didn’t have the hydration break during the second half. Luckily, both teams made it through without the water break after the downpour of rain.
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