The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and already, the tournament is delivering drama and controversy. England's opening match against Croatia was a high-octane affair, with Harry Kane's double helping them to a 4-2 victory. However, the game was not without its controversies, with a retake penalty and a controversial call by the referee adding to the drama. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal endured a disappointing draw with DR Congo, with the veteran forward struggling to make an impact. These matches set the tone for a thrilling tournament, with many questions already being raised about the form of some of the world's best players.
Harry Kane's double was the highlight of England's victory over Croatia, with the captain scoring twice in the first half. However, the game was not without controversy, with a retake penalty awarded after a video review deemed that the Croatian goalkeeper had come off his line. This decision sparked debate among pundits, with former Ghana star Kevin-Prince Boateng suggesting that such runs should be banned. The match was a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, which Croatia won, and England's victory over one of the older squads at the tournament in North America is a significant step towards their goal of winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal struggled to make an impact against DR Congo, with the forward managing just 25 touches and firing off three shots that did not trouble the opposition goalkeeper. This performance is a continuation of Ronaldo's poor showings at major tournaments in recent years, with the Al-Nassr forward failing to hit the back of the net at Euro 2024 and in Portugal's pre-tournament friendly wins over Chile and Nigeria. The talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino was critical of Ronaldo's performance, suggesting that he offered nothing to the Portuguese team and that his pace and energy have diminished.
The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a fascinating tournament, with many questions already being raised about the form of some of the world's best players. The matches between England and Croatia, and Portugal and DR Congo, have set the tone for a thrilling competition, with many more matches to come. As the tournament progresses, we can expect to see more drama, controversy, and, ultimately, some memorable performances from the world's best players.
