Cristiano Ronaldo expected to start for Portugal in crucial Colombia clash
Colombia have won twice and need only a point from their final group game against Roberto Martinez’s side in Miami to take top spot in Group K.
Cristiano Ronaldo is again expected to start as Portugal head into what coach Roberto Martinez has labelled as a “have to win” game against Colombia.
Ronaldo made an underwhelming start to the World Cup as Portugal opened their campaign with a laboured 1-1 draw against DR Congo, but hit back with a brace in a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan.
Those results have secured a place in the last 32, but there is still work to be done to progress as Group K winners.
Colombia have won twice and need only a point from their final group game against Martinez’s side in Miami on Saturday (12.30am BST) to take top spot.
Martinez told FIFA’s official media channels: “Sometimes you go into a third game where drawing or winning could give you one path or another, but here it’s very simple – we have to win to try to finish top.
“Colombia have won two games already, so for us it’s a very straightforward approach to the game.
“Colombia, with a draw, are top of the group, so I’m sure that their approach can be different managing the game, but for us it’s a really good opportunity to start well, manage the game well and finish strong.”
The reward for finishing top of the group would be a last-32 meeting with one of the best third-placed teams in Kansas City.
Finishing second would mean an encounter with the Group L runners-up, which could potentially be England, Ghana or Croatia.
Portugal began the tournament as one of the favourites, but their performance against DR Congo prompted criticism.
Martinez, however, insists there has been no change in the squad’s mindset.
He said: “I’m looking at the team after a win – the confidence shines, but we never lost any belief. We never got carried away.
“We always think about where we are and what we’re focusing on. Now it is the third game, and that’s the first (part of the) World Cup done. Then we need to reassess and look where we are and then we’ll take the next step.”
Ronaldo’s double against Uzbekistan appears to have settled debate over his place for now, although defender Tomas Araujo remains a fitness doubt. Joao Felix will hope to keep his place, while Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao are among the options available to Martinez.