DR Congo Hold Portugal 1-1 in Houston
Portugal against DR Congo looked like a one-sided fixture on paper. Portugal are a team some observers believe can win the World Cup. Most of those people are not old enough to drive yet, but the expectation still pointed heavily toward the Europeans.
Portugal struck first and struck hard. João Neves finished a beautiful cross from Pedro Neto to put the Europeans ahead just six minutes into the game. From there it became one-way traffic, attack versus defense, matching what many expected before kickoff.
The Paris Saint-Germain trio of Mendes, Neves, and Vitinha ran the show. Their ability to switch the rhythm from slow, controlled possession to blistering offense kept the Congolese players off balance and unable to respond. Then everything went wrong for Portugal. For some reason, the Portuguese slowed it down a little too much. Many minutes would pass with the red shirts in possession without a single attack.
It cost them right at the end of the first half. DR Congo went up the pitch and a free kick in a dangerous area. Arthur Masuaku sent in an impeccable delivery, and Yoane Wissa was perfectly positioned to head it in. Despite dominating the first half, Portugal went into the break level at 1-1.
The second half went much more poorly for the men in red and green. DR Congo had come out to really play, and they had something to play for. Meanwhile, their opponents floundered. The crowd of Portuguese supporters in Houston watched in disbelief as their team struggled to mount a proper attacking sequence, unable to score even a single goal.
The game ended with the same score as at halftime: 1-1. DR Congo will feel they have achieved a major accomplishment, while Portugal will wonder what went wrong. First, they should probably address the 41-year-old elephant in the room. Cristiano Ronaldo was poor against DR Congo, not involved in the buildup and unable to pose a credible threat in the box. If Roberto Martinez is serious about this tournament, he knows what he has to do.
England Beat Croatia 4-2 After Six-Goal Thriller
The marquee fixture of the matchday was a replay of the 2018 quarter finals. Harry Kane did not score that time, but after the season he just had with Bayern Munich, you would be a fool to bet against him.
Well, maybe not that much of a fool. Ten minutes into the game, Luka Modrić accidentally brought down Noni Madueke inside the box. Penalty. Harry Kane stepped up and it was saved. Kane was spared his blushes when VAR ordered the penalty be retaken due to the keeper being off his line. He did not miss the second time.
Croatia did manage to mount a comeback thanks to Martin Baturina in the 36th minute, but it was short lived. Harry Kane fired back from a corner to make it 2-1 barely six minutes later. Then, right before half time, Petar Musa slotted in a second equalizer courtesy of an assist by Ivan Perišić. The score was 2-2 at halftime.
Thomas Tuchel must have been apoplectic in the dressing room because, after halftime, England came out swinging. Jude Bellingham put the Three Lions up 3-2 just minutes after kickoff. Then, after subs were made, Marcus Rashford made it 4-2 in the 85th minute. England 4-2.
