World Cup 2026: England kick off in Dallas after big-hitting trio make mark – live
⚽ All the latest news on day seven of the tournament ⚽ Player guide Bracketology Golden Boot Mail us Portugal open up against DR Congo
⚽ All the latest news on day seven of the tournament ⚽ Player guide Bracketology Golden Boot Mail us Portugal open up against DR Congo as the Hors d’oeuvre for England v Croatia, not that anyone in those two countries will see it like that.
It is the sixth time Cristiano Ronaldo has been at a World Cup, which is a rather silly statistics. At 41, does he still have the powers to make a difference? Ronaldo could wield a huge influence over the trophy’s ultimate destination.
It remains to be seen whether that is channelled positively. Portugal can field arguably the best first-choice midfield in this summer’s competition, an experienced defence and an admirable array of wide forwards. At the heart of their attack stands, depending on your perspective, either a free-scoring icon primed to fire them all the way or a 41-year-old passenger whose presence sucks an otherwise fluent team into an inescapable void.
Nick Ames takes a look at the legend. Continue reading...
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