Latin America Sports Daily for Tuesday, June 24, 2026

01

Muñoz breaks the wall — Colombia qualify for the knockouts as DR Congo keeper runs out of miracles

World Cup

For 75 minutes in Guadalajara, Lionel Mpasi had an answer for everything Colombia threw at him. The DR Congo goalkeeper made eight saves, including early stops from Jhon Arias and James Rodríguez, a low block from Muñoz on a bundled rebound, and two denials of Luis Díaz, in a performance that briefly made the unthinkable seem possible.

Then Néstor Lorenzo brought on Juan Fernando Quintero in place of James Rodríguez, and the game changed within minutes. Quintero took control of the tempo, and in the 76th minute slipped a precise pass through to Muñoz, who hit it first time past Mpasi.

It was Muñoz’s second goal in two games, both times the decisive one. The Crystal Palace full-back’s ability to arrive in the box at exactly the right moment is a significant weapon for Lorenzo going into the knockout stage.

Colombia had two further goals disallowed: Díaz for a foul in the build-up and then offside, before the final whistle sealed a 1-0 win and six points from two games.

DR Congo are still alive. They face Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta; a win takes them through, depending on the Colombia-Portugal result in Miami.

Colombia face Portugal in that Miami game on June 27, a fixture that, after Ronaldo’s brace against Uzbekistan on the same afternoon, has become the most anticipated game of the group stage’s final day.

02

Ronaldo scores in his sixth World Cup — a record Messi cannot yet match

World Cup

In the sixth minute at NRG Stadium in Houston, Nuno Mendes played a pass to Cristiano Ronaldo inside the Uzbekistan penalty area. Ronaldo hit it first time with his right foot into the net, and became the first player in World Cup history to score in six different editions of the tournament.

Messi appeared in six World Cups but did not score in 2010; his goals span five different tournaments. Ronaldo scored in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026: the specific record is his alone.

He added a second before half-time, slotting in from a Bruno Fernandes throughball to make it 3-0 after Nuno Mendes had also scored with a clever free-kick in the 16th minute. Nematov’s own goal and a Rafael Leão strike completed a 5-0 rout that gave Portugal the confidence to approach the Colombia game on June 27 with real momentum.

At 41 years and some months, Ronaldo became the second-oldest player to score at a World Cup. He played the full game, came close to a hat-trick on several occasions, and remained on the pitch with Portugal winning 5-0 in the final minutes, still hunting the third goal.

The back-to-back days of Messi (June 22, the all-time goals record) and Ronaldo (June 23, goals in six tournaments) belong together as the final competitive chapter of the most discussed rivalry in football history.

03

Colombia vs Portugal on June 27 — the group finale that now carries real weight

World Cup

Group K after matchday two: Colombia six points, Portugal four, DR Congo one, Uzbekistan zero.

Colombia will play Portugal in Miami on June 27, both sides already qualified, both with something to play for in terms of group seeding. A Colombia win or draw would give them top spot; a Portugal win moves them above Colombia if goal difference allows.

The subplot is obvious: Luis Díaz against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, James Rodríguez potentially playing his tenth World Cup game and equalling Colombia’s all-time record alongside Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincón, and the question of whether Ronaldo, in form and motivated after the Uzbekistan brace, can add to his historic six-tournament total against South America’s strongest group-stage side.

Concurrently on June 27, DR Congo face Uzbekistan in Atlanta. A DR Congo win, combined with a close result in Miami, could allow them to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

04

Brazil vs Scotland tonight — and 43 days of waiting may finally end for Neymar

Brazil WC

Brazil are top of Group C on four points; Scotland are third on three and must win tonight to advance from the group. The game kicks off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 9pm ET.

Neymar has been cleared and is available for tonight’s game; he has not played since May 17, 38 days before kick-off. Ancelotti is expected to use him off the bench.

Scotland have nothing to play for except advancement. Steve Clarke’s side have been organised and dangerous throughout the group stage; they beat Haiti 1-0, lost to Morocco 1-0 by conceding in the second minute, and are the only team in Group C who have not yet faced Brazil.

Brazil’s concern is Casemiro and Danilo, both of whom came off early in the Morocco draw. They are expected to be available tonight, but the conservative approach Ancelotti favours in group finales means rotation is possible.

Morocco play Haiti in Atlanta at the same time; whatever the result there, Morocco are through.

Full match report in tomorrow’s edition.

05

More: DR Congo news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How did Colombia qualify from Group K?

Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 in Guadalajara on June 23, their second win from two group games. Daniel Muñoz scored in the 76th minute after substitute Quintero played him through; Muñoz’s second goal of the tournament, both decisive.

Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 in Guadalajara on June 23. Daniel Muñoz scored in the 76th minute after substitute Quintero played him through; Muñoz’s second goal of the tournament, both decisive.

What record did Ronaldo break against Uzbekistan?

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in World Cup history to score in six different editions of the tournament. His sixth-minute right-footed finish against Uzbekistan on June 23 was his first goal at the 2026 World Cup, and his first goal at a World Cup since the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Messi appeared in six World Cups but did not score in 2010, giving him five scoring tournaments; Ronaldo scored in six. He is 41 and the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history; the six-tournament record came one day after Messi became the all-time goals leader with 18.

Will Neymar play for Brazil tonight against Scotland?

He is expected to feature off the bench; Neymar has been cleared and is available tonight at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami at 9pm ET, his first appearance since May 17, 38 days ago.

If Brazil are managing the game comfortably, Ancelotti has the option to bring Neymar on for the final twenty minutes. Scotland must win to advance, however, so the game may not be as straightforward as Brazil would prefer.