Portugal leaves João Neves out of starting XI for decisive Group K match against Colombia at World Cup 2026
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has made a midfield change for the final Group K match against Colombia, with João Neves replaced by Rúben Neves in the starting eleven. Both teams are already through to the round of 16 but are competing for top spot.
Portugal's midfield switch
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez made one change to the team that beat Uzbekistan, dropping João Neves to the bench and starting Rúben Neves in central midfield. The Al Hilal midfielder joins Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes in a trio that will look to control the game against a physical Colombia side. The rest of the eleven is unchanged: Diogo Costa in goal, a back four of João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga and Nuno Mendes, and an attacking trident of Pedro Neto, João Félix and captain Cristiano Ronaldo. João Neves, a regular starter during qualifying, must wait for an opportunity from the bench, while Portugal's substitutes list includes Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão and Gonçalo Ramos.
Colombia reshuffles backline and attack
Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo also sprung surprises, most notably omitting Sporting striker Luis Suárez from the starting lineup after he started the first two matches of the tournament. Instead, Jhon Córdoba leads the line, supported by James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz. The full-back positions were rotated too: Santiago Arias replaces Daniel Muñoz on the right, and Deiver Machado comes in for Johan Mojica on the left. Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí continue in central defence, with Camilo Vargas in goal. From the bench, Suárez, Juan Quintero and Cucho Hernández offer attacking alternatives.
The Group K stakes
Both teams are already qualified for the round of 16, but first place is still up for grabs. Colombia sits top with six points from two wins, while Portugal has four after a draw with DR Congo and a victory over Uzbekistan. DR Congo (one point) and debutants Uzbekistan (zero) cannot progress. A win for Portugal would lift them above Colombia and likely give them a more favourable opponent in the knockout stage. A draw or defeat leaves them second.
- Colombia
- 6
- Portugal
- 4
- DR Congo
- 1
- Uzbekistan
- 0
Match details
Kick-off is scheduled for 00:30 local time at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Portuguese squad will hope their experienced lineup, with Ronaldo chasing more World Cup goals, can overcome a Colombian side that has yet to concede in the tournament. The bench depth on both sides could prove decisive in the early-summer Florida heat.
