World Cup 2026: ‘I helped today, next time it should be you’ – Portugal keeper, Diogo Costa to Ronaldo, Fernandes

Portugal goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, has told Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes to brace up for days ahead to help the team as they depend on them to achieve a dream of reaching the World Cup final.

This was following their draw against Colombia as Roberto Martinez’s team was fortunate to go home with a 0-0 draw in their final group-stage match of the 2026 tournament.

Diogo Costa was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding performance in goal.

The FC Porto goalkeeper made six crucial saves, maintaining his team’s chances by preventing expected goals.

Due to their draw with Colombia, Portugal will advance to the Round of 32 as the runners-up from Group K.

After the match, Diogo Costa expressed his preference for team victories over individual accolades, stating that players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes will contribute significantly on their best days.

He remarked, as reported by Ojogo, “We aimed for a win. I would prefer to exchange the Man of the Match award for a victory. We disrupted the game too much, which was not our intention. Today, I was the one who made a difference; next time it could be Cris, or Bruno, or another player.”

He also emphasized that Roberto Martinez’s squad is fortunate to have world-class players who have achieved considerable success at the highest levels.

He added, “Now we enter the knockout phase, but we possess high-quality players, individuals who have won Champions Leagues and championships; we have the experience necessary to succeed.”

Diogo Costa has been exceptional for Portugal in recent years, earning 46 caps and contributing to their victory in the UEFA Nations League in 2024-25.

He had a remarkable season with FC Porto, aiding them in securing the Primeira Liga title.