Diogo Costa Saved Everything: With His Hands and His Feet (Portugal's Player Ratings)

(5) João Cancelo — Facing Luis Díaz, Cancelo had his work cut out for him. From the very first minute, Díaz posed a significant threat down the Portuguese full-back's side. Cancelo improved as the game progressed but never quite reached his usual game-changing level. The reason was simple: Luis Díaz. He was substituted at halftime, perhaps due to the exhausting battle with the opposing number 7, or perhaps because Roberto Martínez sensed greater danger looming.

(7) Rúben Dias — He didn't face the immediate pressure one might have expected, as Luis Díaz largely hugged the left wing and Cordoba primarily operated in Renato Veiga's zone. A highlight came when he cleared what looked like a certain Luis Suárez goal off the line with a header.

(8) Renato Veiga — He had a demanding task against Jhon Córdoba, as the powerful forward often drifted to his side. In physical duels, apart from one Cordoba breakaway around the 15-minute mark, Veiga largely held his own. He committed a few fouls here and there, but sometimes they were necessary. He was far more involved than Rúben Dias, even in the box, clearing several dangerous balls. He finished the first half as the national team's best player, breaking up many of Colombia's most threatening attacks. He resumed in the same vein, both against Cordoba and later, after 60 minutes, against Luis Suárez. It almost seemed like there were two Renato Veigas on the pitch. A stellar performance.

(6) Nuno Mendes — He had both Arias, Jhon and Santiago, to contend with on the left wing. He wasn't intimidated and, whenever possible, tried to drive forward with the ball to create danger in the opposition's box. However, he always had to remain vigilant in Diogo Costa's area, as both Arias and Jhon frequently exploited Nuno Mendes' potential advancements. In the 74th minute, he prevented Suárez from getting a dangerous shot away.

(5) Vitinha — He's the player who creates passing lanes, but initially, he struggled to find them as Colombia dropped deep. After halftime, with Rúben Neves' departure, he dropped slightly deeper. Later, with Richard Ríos' introduction, he closely marked Colombia's number 6 but was substituted shortly after. This wasn't a game for the usual brilliant Vitinha.

(5) Rúben Neves — Roberto Martínez's surprise inclusion: João Neves out, Rúben Neves in. It was thought he would operate almost as a deep-lying midfielder, but this wasn't always the case, as the number 21 ventured further forward and was one of the first to press Colombian midfielders when Portugal didn't have possession. However, it was right on the goal line in the 22nd minute that he prevented a Jhon Arias goal. Nearing halftime, a powerful shot flew relatively close to Vargas's right post. He was substituted at halftime.

(6) Bruno Fernandes — Just before the end of the first half, he capitalized on a rebound in the box to unleash a powerful shot, but it went straight at Vargas. He lacked his usual sparkle.

(6) Pedro Neto— He tried, countless times, to do what he does best: pick up the ball near the touchline, drift slightly infield, and deliver a cross looking for a header. He had no luck. In first-half stoppage time, he tried to break through on the left, again without success, as it felt like he was up against the world.

(4) Ronaldo — Is age just a number? It seems so. He appeared in the 24th minute, attempting a goal from a very, very long-range free-kick. The ball, however, went straight into Vargas's hands. Later, close to halftime, he tried an overhead kick when he couldn't make progress on the ground. In the 60th minute, he received a pass from Félix, went through on goal against Vargas, but shot wide. Less impactful: he was offside.

(6) João Félix — Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia's Argentine coach, opted for Santiago Arias at right-back. Fact: they played together at Atlético Madrid. He showed little of his usual self until near halftime. First, pushing Arias by the throat, and shortly after, receiving the ball from Nuno Mendes on his chest and shooting over the bar with his right foot from close range inside the box. Less influential after the break.

(5) João Neves — He came on at halftime for Rúben Neves. He didn't perform as well as in the previous two games, as he entered during Colombia's best period.

(6) Diogo Dalot — He came on at halftime to play at right-back and made a good impact, delivering a perfect cross for Félix to head just over the bar. Defensively, he handled Luis Díaz better, and in attack, he even shot close to Vargas's left post.

(4) Samu Costa — Twenty minutes on the field with nothing spectacular, and saved by a millimeter-perfect offside call on the play where Sánchez put the ball in Portugal's net.

(5) Rafael Leão — He tried to break through the Colombian defense, but it was in defense, with a fantastic tackle, that he made the most impact.

(-) Matheus Nunes — Not enough time to make an impact.