- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,190,600
- Reaction score
- 59
Portugal can lose to Colombia on Saturday night and still walk into the World Cup knockout rounds. The defeat would cost the team position, not its place.
Portugal sits second in Group K with four points. The two meet in Miami to settle the group, and Colombia takes first with so much as a draw. Portugal has to beat Colombia to take first place in the group. Lose, and it goes through as the runner-up. Cristiano Ronaldo's side reaches the round of 32 either way.
What changes is the road, and it changes a lot.
If Portugal finishes second, it lads in a tougher part of the bracket. The Group K runner-up will meet Group L runner-Croatia next. Spain looms in that section of the bracket.
Win the group and it's an easier path. The Group K winner draws one of the best third-place teams.
That is really what is at stake as Colombia and Portugal battle Saturday night.
At 41, Ronaldo is playing in his sixth and final World Cup, the one trophy that has escaped him across two decades. His last tournament ended in tears, Portugal was stunned by Morocco in the 2022 quarterfinals. He is the first player to score in six different World Cups.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happens if Portugal and Ronaldo lose to Colombia?
Continue reading...
Portugal sits second in Group K with four points. The two meet in Miami to settle the group, and Colombia takes first with so much as a draw. Portugal has to beat Colombia to take first place in the group. Lose, and it goes through as the runner-up. Cristiano Ronaldo's side reaches the round of 32 either way.
What changes is the road, and it changes a lot.
If Portugal finishes second, it lads in a tougher part of the bracket. The Group K runner-up will meet Group L runner-Croatia next. Spain looms in that section of the bracket.
Win the group and it's an easier path. The Group K winner draws one of the best third-place teams.
That is really what is at stake as Colombia and Portugal battle Saturday night.
At 41, Ronaldo is playing in his sixth and final World Cup, the one trophy that has escaped him across two decades. His last tournament ended in tears, Portugal was stunned by Morocco in the 2022 quarterfinals. He is the first player to score in six different World Cups.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happens if Portugal and Ronaldo lose to Colombia?
Continue reading...
