Rise of a Football God

4 hours later…

(GROUP J:)

(Iraq vs Portugal)

(Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico)

(Date: June 29th, 2026)

(Time: 20:00)

After the thriller between Senegal and Czech Republic, it was finally Portugal's turn to go, aiming for 6 points with a second consecutive World Cup win.

As expected, both clubs approached the game with their best starting XI, though Portugal's elicited a bit of doubt if it was actually the best Portugal lineup.

Portugal started in their regular 4-3-3 lineup, Diogo Costa manning the posts, while in front of him sat a defensive quadruple of Joao Neves, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, and Nuno Mendes.

In midfield was the power trio of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Bernado Silva. Bernado may be out of his prime, but Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha were comfortably one of the best midfielders in world football.

The front trio?

It was the controversial aspect of Portugal's lineup because unlike in their first group stage game when the front trio comprised Joao Felix in right wing, Rafael Leao down the left, and Diogo Jota leading the line as the striker, this time, Cristiano Ronaldo started as the striker, benching Diogo Jota.

Nobody could question the coach's decision though, and thankfully, no on e thought to do so.

After all, it was just Iraq, so Portugal thought.

And so the game started.

FWEEEE!

The game started well, following an expected script of Portugal dominance, as the Portuguese team dictated the game's tempo, hoarding possession.

For the first 20 minutes, Iraq were just defending till Bernado Silva suddenly ghosted into space just outside the 18-yard box where he received a needle pass from Bruno Fernandes.

A player closed Bernardo Silva down immediately but keeping his composure and wriggling his way through, he quickly found himself one on one with the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper rushed, but Bernado Silva simply nutmegged him, scoring the first goal of the game as Portugal fans in the stadium celebrated.

22 minutes, 0-1 to Portugal.

That goal gave Portugal more momentum to cause havoc through the Iraq backline, the midfielders dictating the play as they created chances left, right, and center, and yet Iraq refused to let a second ball pass into their net.

They defended doggedly as a team, barely hanging on as Portugal dominated the game.

The first half ended 0-1 in Portugal's favor.

The 2nd half started, following the same script of Portugal dominance as they kept on creating chances, but then… a plot twist happened.

Bruno Fernandes lost the ball just outside the Iraq 18-yard box.

Instead of rushing to win it back, he instead looked at the referee, throwing his arms in protest. The referee didn't pay attention to him though, ignoring him as he waved the Iraq players on.

Portugal reacted just a fraction of a second too late, and then…

Bam!

The player who won back the ball spotted a run and hit it quickly, playing a lobbed pass above Portugal's defense.

Whoosh!

Jasim, Iraq's left winger erupted, blazing past Joao Neves with speed as he took the ball in his strides, rushing towards the goal.

Jasim didn't wait for Diogo Costa to rush out before making his move, aiming at the top right corner before blasting the ball with tremendous power.

BAM!

The ball flew like a missile, beating a fully stretched Diogo Costa with sheer pace as it tore its way into the net; the top right corner.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

Iraq fans in the stadium exploded in celebrations.

As they celebrated with their players, Bruno Fernandes approached the referee again, voicing his complaints.

He got a yellow card for his troubles. The referee was a no-nonsense official.

And just like that… 1-1.

The game continued, and it was clear that Portugal was rattled by that equalizer having struggled since to establish their lead.

They played with urgency, striving hard to get the leading goal again.

And that was when they were stunned.

In the 62nd minute, Jasim scored the equalizer.

In the 69th minute, Jasim received the ball in the left, ran past Joao Neves again with a deft touch and an eruption of speed.

But Joao Neves caught up with his pace, forcing Jasim to slow down.

But Jasim didn't stop though.

Bam! Bam!

He hit the ball, exchanging a one-two with Doski, the Iraq fullback who went on an overlapping run, quickly hitting the ball back in his path.

Whoosh!

Ruben Dias went in on a sliding tackle to defend the ball.

But Jasim reacted fast, skipping past the sliding Ruben Dias with a deft touch, then he took another touch to properly orient himself, and then…

POW!

He unleashed a piledriver from outside the 18-yard box, tearing its way towards the same top right corner.

Diogo Costa was rooted to one spot.

"…!" Portugal was stunned.

"COME ON!!!" Jasim roared, charging towards the corner flag as he slid on his knees in celebration to the roars of tens of thousands of Iraqi fans.

And just like that, Iraq was leading.

Under pressure now, Roberto Martinez finally made changes, taking off Joao Felix and introducing Francisco Conceicao.

The coach's decision paid dividends almost immediately as 4 minutes after he entered the game, in the 74th minute, Conceicao went on a rampaging run down his right, burning his man with a sick dribble before crossing it accurately into the box, where Cristiano Ronaldo lurked.

Ronaldo was 41, but it didn't matter. He rose into the air like an express airline, suspending himself long enough to connect to the ball with his head.

Bam!

The ball flew towards the bottom right corner.

Iraq's goalkeeper went on a desperate dive, his gloves touching the ball, but it was not enough to keep it out.

BOOM!

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico exploded.

2-2.

Portugal supporters went haywire, roaring at the top of their lungs as they celebrated the equalizer. But they were greedy, they were not satisfied yet.

They wanted more, and so they cheered their team on.

Cristiano Ronaldo just scored, and yet, Roberto Martinez made a gutsy change, taking him off and introducing Diogo Jota.

It was a gamble on his part.

He decided to bet on youth for the final minutes of the game.

Did his decision pay off?