![\"Portugal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/MIA_35_Colombia_vs_Portugal_MJO.JPG\" "\\"Portugal")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts after a play against Colombia in the second half of their World Cup Group K soccer match at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.<\/p>\n
Photo by Matias J. Ocner<\/p>\n
mocner@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
While most of the fans at Hard Rock Stadium for Saturday\u2019s highly anticipated group stage match between Colombia and Portugal were there to cheer on Colombia, all eyes were still on 41-year-old Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n
But in front of a pro-Colombia crowd that turned Hard Rock Stadium\u2019s aqua seats yellow, Ronaldo was quiet in what turned out to be a scoreless draw between Portugal and Colombia on Saturday night in Miami. The result was enough for Colombia to win Group K and Portugal to finish as the runner-up in the group, with both teams advancing to the knockout stage.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo generated three shots in the first half, including one shot on goal. His lone shot on goal in Saturday\u2019s first half came of a free kick, but it rolled right into the hands of Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.<\/p>\n
The second half was even less eventful for Ronaldo, who didn\u2019t get a shot off after halftime.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo closed Saturday\u2019s tie with three shots and only one shot on goal. He played the full match.<\/p>\n
Should Portugal have rested Ronaldo against Colombia, considering Portugal entered Saturday\u2019s match already assured of advancing to the knockout stage? Argentina (rested Lionel Messi) Norway (rested Erling Haaland) rested their best players in their final group stage game because both teams had already clinched a spot in the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t compare our players with players from other teams,\u201d Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. \u201cThat would be childish and very unprofessional. We monitor all the information. We made substitutions, such as Ruben Neves played 45 [minutes] and Joao Neves came in for 45 [minutes]. [Diogo Dalot] came in for [Joao] Cancelo. But they play different positions on the pitch. Cristiano is used to being out there, was in the right place at the right time, there was not an issue physically or mentally for him to play 90 minutes. Maybe next game we need to make a change, but not in this game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saturday was the continuation of a relatively quiet start to the World Cup for Ronaldo. He didn\u2019t score a goal and didn\u2019t even record a shot on goal in Portugal\u2019s disappointing 1-1 tie with Congo on June 17 to begin the group stage, but bounced back with two goals in Tuesday\u2019s 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo, who has totaled 10 World Cup goals during his career, finished the three-game group stage of this World Cup with two goals and six shots on goal.<\/p>\n
There was only a smattering of red in a crowd full of Colombia fans, and Ronaldo\u2019s Portugal jersey made up most of the red around the stadium. Some fans flew from Portugal to Miami to watch Ronaldo play in his 25th career World Cup match.<\/p>\n
One fan even arrived with a sign that read, \u201cI skipped my mortgage to watch CR7.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big inspiration for all of us in Portugal,\u201d said Ronaldo supporter Tiago Abaricio, who took the 10-hour flight from Portugal to Miami to attend Saturday\u2019s match. \u201cHe carries our flag internationally. Nowadays, people know where Portugal is because of Ronaldo. He\u2019s just a god to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Portugal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/MIA_5_Colombia_vs_Portugal_MJO.JPG\" "\\"MIA_5_Colombia_vs_Portugal_MJO.JPG\\"")
Portugal fans cheer as they arrive to watch their team play against Colombia in their World Cup Group K soccer match at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n
Other Ronaldo fans in attendance were locals who made the short drive to watch their favorite soccer player. They had high hopes for Ronaldo on Saturday after he scored two goals in his last match.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s back,\u201d said Ryan Reza, a Ronaldo fan from Jupiter. \u201cI definitely think he\u2019s not the prime Ronaldo from the past. But the effort on the field last game, I mean, I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any doubt that he\u2019s going to put up two goals today. At least two goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Ronaldo didn\u2019t get any goals on Saturday. Neither team did in the scoreless match.<\/p>\n
The next World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium will feature Ronaldo\u2019s rival, when Messi and defending World Cup champion Argentina take on Cape Verde on Friday in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ronaldo and Portugal now head to Toronto as the group\u2019s runner-up to take on Croatia on Thursday in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus now is Croatia,\u201d Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa said. \u201cMaybe there will be a bit more attention now because it\u2019s a knockout match, but we\u2019re not too concerned about that. It\u2019s Croatia, full focus, and we always approach every national team in the same way, with the greatest possible respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
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