World Cup Nights: Ronaldo makes history, Colombia march into the last 32

A night of records and verdicts. In Houston, Cristiano Ronaldo dragged Portugal to a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan and became the first player to score at six different World Cups. In Foxborough, England got bogged down in a 0-0 with Ghana; in Toronto, Croatia (1-0 over Panama) celebrated Modric's 200th cap and eliminated the Central Americans; and Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 to punch their ticket to the last 32. Tonight, Italian time, the final matchdays of Groups A, B and C: Brazil, Mexico, Canada and Switzerland all in action.

At Houston's NRG Stadium it was Cristiano Ronaldo's night. Portugal swept aside an Uzbekistan side that never turned up, winning 5-0, and their 41-year-old captain rewrote the record books: his opener on 6', with the trademark near-post run to bundle home Joao Cancelo's cross, made him the first player ever to score at six different World Cups, from 2006 to today. In between came Nuno Mendes' free-kick masterpiece on 17', then Ronaldo again on 39' to make it 3-0 at the break, latching onto a Bruno Fernandes through ball. After the restart, goalkeeper Nematov's own goal on 60' and Rafael Leao's strike on 87' rounded off the scoring; Uzbekistan also had a Ganiev goal ruled out for a foul in the buildup. The brace took Ronaldo to 10 career World Cup goals, more than any Portuguese before him, even the great Eusebio. Portugal move onto 4 points in Group K.

It was a bittersweet night in Group L. In Foxborough, Thomas Tuchel's England crashed into a stubborn Ghana wall and could not break a goalless draw: 79% possession — the highest ever recorded by a team that failed to score in a World Cup match in the last sixty years — but also an unrecognisable Harry Kane, who fluffed the chance of the game from almost on the line after Nico O'Reilly had rattled the bar. Afterwards, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz needled the English, claiming 'the VAR went for a coffee' as he protested a penalty not given to his side. In Toronto, meanwhile, Croatia edged Panama 1-0 on the day of Luka Modric's 200th cap: a 54th-minute tap-in from substitute Ante Budimir, off a Josip Stanisic cross, settled it. Panama, beaten by a single goal for the second game running, are the latest side eliminated; England and Ghana stay level on 4 points, with Croatia chasing on 3.

At Guadalajara's Estadio Akron, Colombia were all smiles: a 1-0 win over DR Congo books a place in the last 32 with a game to spare. Nestor Lorenzo's side dominated without finding the net until the 76th, when full-back Daniel Munoz popped up with the goal that secured three points and top spot in Group K on 6. The scoreline flattered DR Congo, with Colombia racking up 20 shots to 8 and a commanding 9-1 on target: keeping the Congolese alive was a superb Lionel Mpasi, who made eight saves. DR Congo stay on a single point and must now hope on the final matchday.

Now the verdicts come thick and fast: tonight, Italian time, the final matchdays of Groups A, B and C take centre stage. It starts at 9pm with the Group B heavyweight clash between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, with top spot up for grabs between two well-placed sides on 4 points, while in Seattle Bosnia-Qatar pits two nations chasing one last flicker of pride. At midnight it is Group C's turn: in Miami, Scotland must throw everything at a Brazil side leading the group and determined to seal first place, while in Atlanta Morocco face an already-eliminated Haiti with an eye on finishing top. The grand finale comes at 3am with Group A: at the Estadio Azteca, an already-qualified Mexico host Czechia, while in Monterrey South Africa-South Korea is worth a place in the last 32, with the Koreans ahead in the table.

On we go, one night at a time. See you tomorrow at dawn.

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