Fans’ hopes of seeing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face off at the 2026 World Cup have officially ended, unless both Argentina and Portugal manage to reach the grand final.
How Portugal’s Draw With Colombia Ruined the Legendary Quarter-Final
Ronaldo had previously expressed his excitement about a potential showdown, labeling it as “wonderful.” This put immense spotlight on Portugal’s final group-stage match against Colombia, which was crucial to determining A Seleção’s bracket position relative to Argentina.
The opportunity for this legendary clash to happen in the quarter-finals was highly achievable had Portugal topped their group. However, Ronaldo and his teammates settled for a draw against Colombia, finishing as group runners-up with 5 points. Consequently, Portugal has entered a nightmare bracket on their path to the final, whereas Argentina enjoys a significantly smoother route.
The Two Paths: Portugal’s Nightmare Bracket vs. Argentina’s Clear Run
Portugal will now face Croatia in the Round of 32. Should they advance, a fiercely difficult Iberian derby awaits them against neighbors Spain in the Round of 16. Furthermore, their bracket features a potential quarter-final against the USA or Belgium, followed by a semi-final clash against heavyweights like France, Germany, the Netherlands, or Morocco.
On the flip side, Messi and his teammates face a much tamer path. Argentina will go head-to-head with Cape Verde in the Round of 32, followed by a Round of 16 meeting against either Egypt or Australia. They will likely cross paths with Colombia or Switzerland in the quarter-finals, before potentially meeting England or Brazil in the semi-finals.
