Miami Gardens World Cup Weekend Recap: The Group Stage Ends, and the Biggest Match Yet Is Coming
The group stage is done. Three World Cup matches in the books at Hard Rock. And the biggest one of all, Messi vs. Cape Verde, is still to come on July 3.
What a weekend, and what a group stage. The World Cup group phase wrapped up this weekend, Miami Gardens hosted its third match at Hard Rock Stadium, the knockout bracket locked into place, and the city landed the single biggest sporting event in its history for next week. Here's everything you need to know, and what comes next.
Colombia 0-0 Portugal: a star-studded stalemate
Saturday's marquee match delivered on atmosphere if not on goals. Colombia and Portugal drew 0-0 at Hard Rock Stadium in front of a packed, roaring crowd. With both teams already assured of advancing, neither needed a win, and the match settled into a tense, cagey affair. Colombia edged the chances (24 attempts to Portugal's 13) but couldn't find the breakthrough.
The result meant Colombia won Group K, with Portugal finishing second. Cristiano Ronaldo, in what is likely his final World Cup, played his part in front of a Miami Gardens crowd that gave him a reception worthy of his stature. The two teams now head in different directions: Colombia to Kansas City to face Ghana, Portugal to Toronto for a blockbuster Round of 32 clash with Croatia, a rematch of the 2016 European Championship final.
For the record, the three group-stage matches at Hard Rock Stadium drew enormous crowds and delivered a Cape Verde fairytale, a Brazil masterclass, and a star-studded finale. Miami Gardens passed its group-stage test with flying colors.
The headline: Messi is coming to Miami Gardens
The biggest news of the weekend wasn't a result. It was a matchup. With the bracket now set, Lionel Messi and Argentina are coming to Hard Rock Stadium on July 3 to face the Cape Verde fairytale in the Round of 32.
Argentina won Group J with a perfect nine points. Cape Verde, the 600,000-person island nation, secured second in Group H to book their return to the same stadium where they drew 2-2 with Uruguay. And Messi? He scored in all three group games and has broken the all-time World Cup goalscoring record. The greatest player of his generation, who lives and trains in South Florida, will play a World Cup knockout match 20 minutes from his home. We have the full story here. It is, simply, the biggest match in Miami Gardens history.
How the rest of the weekend shaped up
The final round of group matches set the entire knockout bracket. A few results that matter for our coverage:
The USA had already won Group D and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. Brazil, fresh off its 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami, won Group C and meets Japan. Scotland agonizingly missed out, finishing ninth among third-place teams, just outside the eight qualifying spots. The Tartan Army goes home, but they left Miami Gardens with memories. Haiti, whose run meant so much to our community, exited with pride.
The Round of 32 at Hard Rock Stadium
| Date | Match | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, July 3 | Argentina vs. Cape Verde (Round of 32) | 6:00 PM |
| Sat, July 11 | Quarterfinal | 5:00 PM |
| Sat, July 18 | Bronze Final (third-place match) | 5:00 PM |
Three more World Cup matches remain in Miami Gardens, including a quarterfinal and the Bronze Final. The tournament's biggest names could still pass through our city before it's all over on July 18.
What's next this week
The Round of 32 runs from today, June 28, through July 3. Today's lone match is South Africa vs. Canada in Los Angeles. The knockouts then ramp up with three matches a day. For Miami Gardens, all eyes are on Friday, July 3, and the Messi spectacle.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of Colombia vs Portugal in Miami?
Colombia and Portugal drew 0-0 at Hard Rock Stadium on June 27, 2026. The result meant Colombia won Group K and Portugal finished second. Both teams had already qualified for the knockout rounds before the match.
What is the next World Cup match in Miami Gardens?
Argentina vs. Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium, featuring Lionel Messi. Miami Gardens also hosts a quarterfinal on July 11 and the Bronze Final on July 18.
How many World Cup matches has Miami Gardens hosted?
Miami Gardens has hosted three group-stage matches at Hard Rock Stadium (Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, and Brazil vs. Scotland), plus Colombia vs. Portugal, for four total so far. Three more remain: the Round of 32 on July 3, a quarterfinal on July 11, and the Bronze Final on July 18, for seven matches in all.
Results and bracket via FIFA, ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports. See also: Messi vs Cape Verde, Colombia vs Portugal preview, complete World Cup guide. Published: June 28, 2026.
