Croatia or Ghana: Portugal's Round of 16 Opponent Likely One of These Two

Portugal isn't mathematically guaranteed a spot in the World Cup Round of 16 yet, but after the latest results, elimination is highly improbable. They could even lose to Colombia by six goals and still advance.

Furthermore, it would take 10 different outcomes in upcoming matches for a team with 4 points, which Portugal already has, to be eliminated. Qualification could even be formalized tonight if Ecuador fails to beat Germany.

However, the final position of the National Team in Group K remains to be seen, which will determine their opponent in the next phase. If they beat Colombia, they finish first. A draw places them second. If they lose, they'll likely still be second – there's a mathematical chance of finishing third, but DR Congo would need to beat Uzbekistan and, through a combination of their winning margin and Portugal's losing margin to the Cafeteros, overcome a six-goal difference with Portugal (meaning if Portugal lost by one to Colombia, DR Congo would need to win by five against Uzbekistan).

Regardless of Portugal's final standing, their opponent will almost certainly come from Group L – England, Ghana, or Croatia. The only scenario where this wouldn't happen is if Portugal wins their group and Croatia loses to Ghana and fails to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams (if they lose by one goal, they still have a good chance). In that case, Portugal would play the third-placed team from one of the following groups: I, E (most likely), J, or D (remote possibilities, considering potential matchups).

Among the three potential opponents from Group L, it's unlikely England will cross paths with Portugal. If the English win their group – they are currently leading and face already-eliminated Panama – as expected, the Portuguese team would only face the Three Lions if they finished third, which, as we've seen, is highly improbable.

This leaves Croatia and Ghana as highly probable opponents in the Round of 16, whether Portugal wins the group or finishes second.

If Portugal beats Colombia, they will face a third-placed team – from groups D, E, I, J, or L. But with a nuance: if the third-placed team from Group L advances, they will always play against the first-placed team in Group K, either Portugal or Colombia. Thus, if the Portuguese team wins their group, they will play Carlos Queiroz's Ghana if Croatia beats Ghana, or the Croatians if there's a draw or Croatia loses but still qualifies.

Conversely, if Portugal draws or loses to Colombia and finishes second in Group K, their opponent will be the second-placed team from Group L: likely Croatia if they win, or Ghana if they don't lose. Only if England fails to beat Panama, or if Ghana thrashes Croatia, could the English be the opponent.