World Cup Day 13: Ronaldo’s record and England’s defensive woes
Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as the first player to score in six World Cups, while England struggles to break down a resilient Ghana.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: YantsImages
Day 13 of the 2026 World Cup saw Cristiano Ronaldo cement his place in history, becoming the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. His brace in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan served as a defiant response to critics questioning his current role in the squad.
In Boston, England’s campaign hit a speed bump as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana. Despite enjoying 79 per cent possession, Thomas Tuchel’s side struggled to break through a disciplined low-block. The performance raised concerns about England's defensive vulnerability, with the team looking exposed to counter-attacks whenever they committed men forward.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz was left fuming over VAR decisions, claiming the officials missed two penalty-worthy incidents involving England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and defender Ezri Konsa. The controversy added a layer of frustration to what was an otherwise tight and tactical encounter in Group L.
Elsewhere, Colombia secured their spot in the knockout rounds with a hard-fought 1-0 win against DR Congo. They are now set for a group-stage showdown against Portugal to decide the top spot in Group K.