Why Portugal draw might have cost World Cup one last Messi-Ronaldo showdown - ESPN

It was the game that was destined to break the internet: If Argentina and Portugal won their groups, as expected, then Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would meet in the World Cup quarterfinals.

They have faced each other in competitive matches 36 times during their illustrious careers. Messi has won 16 of those games, scoring 22 goals; Ronaldo has won 11, scoring 21 goals. Their most recent encounter was in an exhibition match in January 2023 between Messi's Paris Saint-Germain and a Ronaldo-led team of Saudi Pro League all-stars.

At the 2026 World Cup, the path was set for the pair to do battle perhaps for the last time on soccer's biggest stage, and for two weeks, it was a case of «so far, so good.»

Messi scored five goals as Argentina waltzed past Algeria and Austria, cementing their place as group winners before their final match against Jordan on Saturday.

Then, Portugal ruined it by finishing second in Group K, thanks to a 0-0 draw Saturday with Colombia, who topped the group.

It places Portugal in a different side of the knockout stage, where they will face Croatia in the round of 32 before a potential clash with Spain in the round of 16. Meanwhile, Argentina have a date with underdogs Cape Verde.

It also means that Ronaldo and Messi, who now play on different continents and might not play at the next World Cup in 2030, could have faced off for the final time — unless Portugal and Argentina make it to the World Cup final.

There have been some truly memorable encounters between Messi and Ronaldo. Here are six of the best.

Barcelona secured their third European Cup <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTD?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#OTD

in 2009!