Colombia vs Portugal

When Colombia and Portugal meet on matchday three, the stakes could scarcely be higher. Both are likely to have collected wins against the group's weaker sides, meaning this fixture will probably decide who tops Group K and avoids a dangerous second-round opponent. Their only previous competitive encounter came at the 2018 World Cup group stage, where Portugal edged a tight contest 1-0.

That result colours the tactical approach both managers will take. Lorenzo knows that sitting off Portugal invites pressure that eventually tells, while Martínez is wary of Colombia's counter-attacking speed, particularly through Díaz on the left flank. The individual duels are compelling: Rúben Dias against whichever striker Colombia field, Díaz the Liverpool man against João Cancelo overlapping from the right, and Bruno Fernandes trying to pull strings against a Colombian midfield that, with Jefferson Lerma screening, does not give him the room he craves.

Colombia's best spell will come in the opening twenty minutes, when their press is fiercest and the Portuguese backline is still organising. If they cannot score in that window, Portugal's patient possession and superior bench will gradually take hold. This has the feel of a match decided by a single moment — a set-piece header, a ricochet, a piece of Fernandes magic. Either way, the neutral wins.