Ghana beat Panama with a stoppage-time winner, while Colombia overpowered an inexperienced Uzbekistan side to take early control of Group K.
Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, in one of the most disappointing performances by a major contender so far.
Joao Neves gave Portugal an early lead in the sixth minute, heading in Pedro Neto’s cross.
But DR Congo struck back deep into first-half stoppage time, when Yoane Wissa headed in Arthur Masuaku’s cross to make it 1-1.
Portugal had more of the ball, but their attack often looked disconnected despite a midfield built around Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Neves.
At times, Portugal appeared almost split into a 5-0-5 shape, leaving little rhythm through the middle and giving DR Congo chances to counter.
Portugal finished with only one shot on target, according to Reuters, and some match data also gave DR Congo the higher expected-goals total.
The draw left Group K wide open and put early pressure on Portugal before matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia.
The Three Lions had entered the tournament under lowered expectations after an uneven buildup, but their attack looked sharp when it mattered.
Harry Kane put England ahead from the penalty spot in the 12th minute before scoring again in the 42nd minute after Croatia had equalized through Martin Baturina.
Croatia, third-place finishers at the 2022 World Cup, drew level again through Petar Musa early in the second half.
But Jude Bellingham quickly restored England’s lead, finishing from inside the box, before Marcus Rashford sealed the win late on.
For Kane, the two goals in the opening match of his third World Cup were a reminder that he remains England’s most reliable finisher.
Ghana needed a dramatic finish to beat Panama 1-0 at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada.
Panama controlled much of the game and often looked more composed in possession.
The Black Stars, who reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2010, struggled to produce the authority expected from one of Africa’s traditional powers.
But Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time, turning in the winner to give Ghana all three points.
The win was valuable, but Ghana’s recent run of one draw and five losses in six warm-up matches still seemed to weigh on their performance.
Daniel Munoz opened the scoring in the 40th minute, finishing after a pass from Luis Diaz.
Uzbekistan, playing their first World Cup match, equalized around the hour mark when Abbosbek Fayzullaev headed in a rebound for his country’s first goal in tournament history.
But Colombia quickly regained the lead, with Diaz scoring from a Gustavo Puerta pass in the 65th minute.
Jaminton Campaz added a late third goal after a long pass caught Uzbekistan’s defense out.
For Uzbekistan, the match brought a historic first goal but also showed the cost of defensive mistakes and lost concentration in key moments.
Wednesday’s results left Portugal under scrutiny, England looking more settled, Ghana relieved and Colombia in control of Group K after South America’s second win of the tournament.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
