World Cup 2026 Tuesday takeaways: Cristiano Ronaldo strikes back, but that's not stopping Lionel Messi comparisons

Ronaldo, 41, scored two goals on Tuesday, leading Portugal to a 5-0 win. He's now the first player to score a goal in six World Cups. 

"They said I should retire ... but I am here," Ronaldo said after the match, via Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano. "The noise from the outside is always like this, but we can't control it. We keep going and are united." 

Those critics who say Ronaldo should retire may now be hitting the "Siuuu," his signature celebration, after Tuesday's spectacular showing. 

Criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo may stop, but comparisons to Argentina forward Lionel Messi won't 

Even when Ronaldo has one of the best days of his storied career, it can't be just about him.

During a post-match news conference, a reporter began asking Ronaldo a question about his longtime rival, Messi. He then cut the journalist off.

Ronaldo may not like it, but the questions won't stop. The Portuguese star impressed on Tuesday, but Messi has outplayed him at the World Cup thus far, scoring five goals in two matches and becoming the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer (18). 

That will only further the narrative that Messi has widened the gap in the rivalry in recent years. One way Ronaldo can close it is by winning his first World Cup. He's now in a position to do so after Portugal earned three points on Tuesday, effectively securing its spot in the Round of 32.

England should be concerned after lousy performance against Ghana 

Fans of the Three Lions may be worried it's not coming home after a 0-0 draw against Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Credit Ghana's stingy defense for the stunning result. England logged just three shots on goal during the match. That clearly frustrated midfielder Jude Bellingham, who exchanged words with Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz before halftime. 

"[Bellingham] had a bad reaction with some bad names. That's where the story started," Queiroz said of the incident.

English fans will have more negative reactions if their team keeps playing poorly. It will advance to the Round of 32 if it beats or draws even with Panama on Saturday (Fox, 5 p.m. ET). It could likely still make the next round as one of the eight-best third-place finishers. However, it won't win its first World Cup since 1966 if it keeps playing the way it did Tuesday. 

Croatia midfielder Luka Modric makes history against Panama

Modric, 40, became the fourth player to appear in 200 matches for his national team against Panama in Group L at BMO Stadium in Toronto. He received a standing ovation from his home fans when he exited the match in the 80th minute.

It was an impressive feat for Modric. The only thing that could've made it better was if he had scored a goal. Croatian forward Ante Budimir scored in the 54th minute to lift the squad to a 1-0 win. 

Modric has yet to score in the 2026 World Cup. Perhaps he will do just that against Ghana on Saturday (FS1, 5 p.m. ET). Croatia's chances of making the next round will decrease significantly if it loses. A pressure-filled moment set the stage for Modric to produce some magic in what may be his last World Cup.