Rise of a Football God-Chapter 481: FIFA World Cup 2026 [12]

Ukraine vs Tunisia was the final game of Group I but it was not the final game of June 17th.

There was another game, the final game of the day.

A Group J clash between Portugal and Senegal.

(GROUP J:)

(Portugal vs Senegal)

(Venue: AT&T Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 17, 2026)

(Time: 20:00)

It was another FIFA World Cup blockbuster encounter, an encounter between 2 big footballing nations; Portugal who were European football giants, and Senegal who were African footballing giants.

It was a clash of culture just as much as it was a football clash.

Both countries entered the stage with their best. Portugal lined up in a classic 4-3-3 formation with Diogo Costa in between the posts, with a protective backline of Diogo Dalot in right back, Ruben Dias and Inacio in center back, and the electric PSG fullback, Nuno Mendes in left back.

The midfield trio comprised PSG's Vitinha through the middle, Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes to his right, and Manchester City's Bernado Silva to his left.

The attacking trio comprised of Joao Felix in right wing, Rafael Leao in left wing, and Diogo Jota through the middle as the striker.

Portugal's starting XI was a blockbuster one, but their bench had even more firepower and esteemed star power in Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos, Francisco Trincao, Conceicao and others.

As for Senegal? It was a classic Senegal starting XI, a strong one but in contrast to the Portugal lineup, it paled slightly in star power.

Senegal started in a 4-3-3 formation with Eduoard Mendy in between the posts, with a protective backline of Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Niakhate, and Camara standing in front of the goalkeeper.

The midfield trio comprised Sarr, Idrissa Gueye, and Camara, while the attacking trio compised Diao, Sadio Mane, and Diallo leading the line as the striker.

The AT & T Stadium in USA was filled to the brim, tens of thousands of fans huddling together to watch the Portuguese G.O.A.T who started on the bench, millions more watching online.

And then, it started.

FWEEE!

Senegal started the game positively but after the 20th minute as the game wore on, a noticeable change took place on the pitch.

The expected Portugal dominance started.

Portugal's backline was as impenetrable as a rock, and it paved the way for their talented midfield and forward line to flourish.

From the 20th minute of the game, the Portugal dominance started and 11 minutes later in the 31st minute, they got their first goal of the game.

Vitinha lashed into a ball that Diogo Dalot laid for him before unleashing an outside the box piledriver that drove through the pitch low before tearing its way into the bottom right corner of the net, leaving Mendy very little chance.

1-0 to Portugal in the 31st minute.

After that goal, Senegal reacted with urgency to get the equalizer goal but it didn't materialize fast enough before they were punished again.

This time, Rafeal Leao, the mercurial AC Milan winger took the ball from deep before wriggling his way into the Senegal box with electric skill before he was tripped by an overzealous Koulibaly.

FWEEEE!

The referee blew his whistle and immediately pointed to the spot.

Portugal got a penalty kick.

Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty kick and he didn't miss a beat, sending the goalkeeper one way before placing it into the right corner of the net with an immaculate kick.

Fernandes celebrated his goal animatedly with passion, roaring at the fans.

Portugal fans were on top of the world.

2-0 to Portugal in the 39th minute of the game.

The first half came to an end 2-0.

When second half started, just like the first half, Senegal started with energy as Ismaila Sarr was finally introduced into the game, replacing Diallo, the striker.

For a period of time, Senegal was the more dangerous team but they couldn't get their goal. And then, Portugal fans started clamoring for a change.

"Ronaldo!" "Ronaldo!" "Ronaldo!"

They chanted.

They were calling for the coach to introduce CR7, Cristiano Ronaldo to the pitch and in the 65th minute, the coach finally relented, taking off Diogo Jota and introducing Cristiano Ronaldo to the game.

The reaction was crazy, the noise in the stadium rising to a crescendo.

And then, Cristiano Ronaldo showed exactly what he was made of.

At the ripe old age of 41, he already lost his speed and most of his physicality but his positioning was still elite, and he could still shoot a ball.

In the 76th minute of the game, Rafael Leao went on another of those trademark mazy runs, penetrating the Senegal backline with criminal ease and just as he was to be dispossessed, he kicked the ball into space.

For a moment, chaos in the box, then… freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

BAM!

Cristiano Ronaldo struck.

The ageless striker was in the right spot at the right time to strike, tapping into the net as the goalkeeper could not react.

It was a classic poacher's goal. It was classic CR7.

The stadium erupted as Ronaldo charged towards the corner flag where he jumped up before doing his iconic celebration. Tens of thousands of fans in the stadium did the celebration with him.

"SUIIIIII!" They roared.

In the 76th minute of the game, Portugal led 3-0.

It was not over yet though. Even this late in the game, and trailing by 3 goals, Portugal refused to give up as Ismaila Sarr kept on infusing energy into the attack with his rampaging runs.

His effort eventually paid off in the 88th minute of the game when Sadio Mane raised the ball over the Portugal defense for him to run into.

Diogo Costa charged out, rapidly closing the forward down but keeping his goal, Ismaila Sarr kicked the ball long to the side, evading the goalkeeper before eventually kicking it into an empty net.

"GOALLLLLLL…!"

Senegal fans roared in celebration.

At this stage of the game, it was just a consolation goal but they didn't complain. They accepted it magnanimously.

The game eventually came to an end.

Rafael Leao won the man of the match award.