#广场预测世界杯赢40000U June 24 World Cup Portugal vs Uzbekistan, Colombia vs Congo (DRC)

On June 24, Beijing time, the second round of group stage matches in Group K of the 2026 North America-Mexico-Canada World Cup will be played, with Portugal facing Uzbekistan at 1 a.m. and Colombia playing Congo (DRC) at 10 a.m.
After the first round, the standings in Group K show a clear divide, with Colombia leading with 3 points, Portugal and Congo (DRC) tied with 1 point each, and debutant Uzbekistan at the bottom with 0 points. These two matches directly determine the halfway rankings of the group. Under the new rules allowing third-place teams to advance with an expanded 48-team format, goal difference and head-to-head results are heavily weighted. Each match carries life-and-death significance, contrasting the strength and evenly matched South American rivalry, making it the most noteworthy group stage matches of the early morning session.
The 1 a.m. match between Portugal and Uzbekistan is the most predictable but hidden-risk duel of this round.
The Five Shields Army, ranked 5th in the world, with a total team value exceeding 1 billion euros, boasts top stars from five major leagues including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, and João Leão. 41-year-old Ronaldo is competing in his sixth World Cup, aiming to break records for total goals and appearances. The team mainly employs a mature and stable 4-3-3 possession-based formation, with complete control in midfield, wing breakthroughs, and a central pivot system. There are no obvious weaknesses in attack or defense. However, Portugal’s first-round exposed a fatal problem: despite 70% possession and 22 shots, they only managed a 1-1 draw against Congo (DRC). Their finishing efficiency was poor, with multiple missed one-on-one opportunities and chances inside the penalty area. Slow defensive tracking, full-backs pushing forward leaving gaps behind, and counterattacks created by opponents led to several dangerous situations. With only 1 point from the first match, Portugal has no margin for error. They must win this game and aim to increase goal difference to prepare for the final match against Colombia. A draw could force them to rely on goal difference even if they win the last game, risking a top-two finish. As a favorite for the title, Portugal cannot afford to fall into a passive position early in the group stage.
Uzbekistan is the biggest dark horse and newcomer of this World Cup, making their first appearance in the main tournament. Ranked 50th in the world, with a team value of only 85 million euros, they are vastly inferior to Portugal. Only Manchester City defender Khusanov has top-tier European experience; most other players compete in Central Asian or West Asian domestic leagues, with no prior big tournament experience and weak resilience under pressure. In the first match against Colombia, they relied on a 3-4-2-1 compact defense to fight back to a 1-1 draw in the first half. In the second half, physical exhaustion caused defensive errors, leading to two goals conceded and a 1-3 defeat. This exposed weaknesses in high-intensity confrontations: insufficient defensive resilience, rough ball distribution from the back, and a lack of consistent scoring threats upfront. The absence of key striker Shomurodov, injured, was an additional blow.
Uzbekistan’s only tactical option in this game is to retreat all players and defend desperately, abandoning midfield control, relying on Khusanov to organize the defense, and launching quick counterattacks exploiting gaps behind Portugal’s full-backs. Earning one point would be considered an overachievement, while losing would almost certainly eliminate them early. Their fighting spirit is high, but the gap in overall strength is hard to bridge. Historically, Portugal has beaten Uzbekistan 5-2, with psychological dominance.
At 10 a.m., Colombia will face Congo (DRC), a South American versus African powerhouse battle to determine the group leader. Colombia defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in the first round, with smooth cooperation among their front three, effective wing breakthroughs, central infiltration, and strong set-piece scoring ability. Defensively, they are solid overall, with no major mistakes, holding the initiative for qualification. As long as they avoid defeat in this match, they are likely to maintain the top spot in the group. The team’s weakness is rapid fatigue in the second half of tournaments, leading to mistakes in midfield distribution under high-pressure pressing, and they may struggle in physical duels against robust African teams.
Congo (DRC) fought hard to draw with Portugal in the first round, demonstrating strong physical confrontation, aggressive pressing, and quick counterattacks typical of African teams. All players actively run, with a very strong offensive impact, using their physical advantages to squeeze Portugal’s midfield and score during transition moments. However, their technical details are rough, and their ability to break through in set-piece battles is limited. They lack top-tier midfielders to organize attacks, relying mostly on counterattacks and chaotic scoring. Against Colombia’s well-organized possession system and tight defensive line, it will be difficult to replicate their upset performance from the first round.
Overall, Portugal’s strength is overwhelming, and with adjustments to finishing efficiency, they are likely to win comfortably, with predictions of 2-0 or 3-0. Colombia, with balanced attack and defense, is expected to narrowly beat Congo (DRC), with predictions of 1-0 or 2-1. After the halfway point of Group K, Portugal will rise to second place, Colombia will hold the top spot, and Uzbekistan will be essentially eliminated. The final match between Portugal and Colombia for the top spot will become the focus.