The 2026 World Cup already delivered a signature moment on Day 6: Lionel Messi, at 38, bagged a hat trick and tied Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goal record. Now the spotlight swings to the other half of the greatest debate in sports — and the question hanging over Wednesday is as simple as it is loaded.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo answer?
Portugal opens its Group Stage against Congo DR in Houston, and the 41-year-old legend — four years removed from his peak relative to Messi’s current form — is walking into a stadium that expects a statement. According to oddsmakers, Portugal is a massive favorite at -350, but the real test isn’t the opponent. It’s the weight of history.
Ronaldo and Messi have spent two decades trading Champions League titles, Ballon d’Or trophies, and individual records. But Messi’s 2022 World Cup win tilted the scales. His hat trick on Monday only widened the gap. If Portugal can lift the trophy in 2026 — and Ronaldo contributes meaningfully — the GOAT conversation gets a serious jolt. If he can’t, the debate may effectively close.
The England Experiment Begins — for Real This Time
Thomas Tuchel made a bold choice when he built his World Cup roster around team fit rather than raw talent. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Harry Maguire stayed home. The result? A deeper, more cohesive squad — but one that faces its hardest group match first.
England meets Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, with Luka Modric still pulling strings for a team that never goes quietly. The Three Lions enter as -140 favorites, but this game isn’t about the moneyline. It’s about whether Tuchel’s unorthodox approach can deliver when it matters. A win over Croatia would announce England as a legitimate contender. A stumble would reopen questions about leaving world-class talent behind.
Colombia vs. the CONMEBOL Blues
South America’s World Cup performance so far reads like a mixed bag: Argentina won big, Brazil drew flat, Paraguay got blasted, Ecuador lost, Uruguay settled for a draw. Only the defending champs have looked good, and that puts pressure on Colombia to restore some continental pride.
Luis Diaz and company face Uzbekistan in Toronto, and they’re heavy favorites at -270. But Uzbekistan isn’t just happy to be here. The nation invested heavily in its soccer program, hiring Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro as manager. Colombia needs to show that CONMEBOL’s depth runs deeper than one team. A comfortable win would quiet the doubters. Anything less — and the talk of a South American slump gets louder.
Wednesday’s schedule also features Ghana vs. Panama in Toronto and a morning match where Austria outlasted Jordan 3-1 in San Francisco. But the main events are the heavyweights: Ronaldo, Kane, Modric, and a Colombian side trying to prove its federation isn’t in trouble.
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