June 23 delivered a stacked FIFA World Cup slate and a standout left back. Our Team of the Day blends match winners, metronomes and duel monsters from across the groups. All selections are backed by performance data and the Sofascore Rating. Nuno Mendes takes Player of the Day after a near-complete game for Portugal.

Nuno Mendes is our Player of the Day

Mendes earned an 8.9 Sofascore Rating and did just about everything from left back. He scored with his only shot, a left‑footed free kick that carried 0.17 xG and 0.20 xGOT. Beyond the goal, he created pressure up the flank with 3 key passes and 1 big chance created, finishing with 0.35 xA. His crossing volume was high too, delivering 6 crosses with 1 accurate delivery. On the ball he posted 98 touches, 19 carries and 4 progressive carries, pushing Portugal forward with 120.5 m of total progression and a 63 m progressive carrying distance. He drew 4 fouls, which helped tilt the field and buy rest for the back line.

Out of possession Mendes was strong and tidy. He won 8 of 16 ground duels and his only aerial duel, completed 2 of 2 tackles, and made 6 recoveries plus 2 clearances. The passing split shows ambition in the opposition half, where he went 29/40 for 73% while finishing 43/56 overall. He mixed it up with 3/6 long balls and consistently offered himself as the first outlet. Even with 29 possessions lost from constant involvement, his dynamism outweighed the risk. It was the kind of two‑way showing that sets the tone for a contender, and it fully justified his Player of the Day tag on Sofascore.

The forwards: Ronaldo shines, Budimir decides for Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 8.6 Sofascore Rating came on the back of a brace against Uzbekistan. He fired 7 total shots and kept pulling defenders into awkward zones. The downside was ruthlessness, with 3 big chances missed that kept his number just shy of our top mark. Even so, his movement opened lanes for Portugal’s creators and he remained a constant outlet in transition. It was a classic center‑forward display built on volume and gravity. Mendes’ all‑round influence tipped the daily honor his way, but Ronaldo still headlines the front line.

Ante Budimir joins him after scoring the only goal in Croatia’s win over Panama. The striker needed one clear moment and made it count, landing a 7.7 Sofascore Rating. His penalty‑box craft complemented Croatia’s wide play and gave the team control of the result. He linked well and battled center backs to keep Croatia higher up the pitch. With margins so thin at the World Cup, a single finish often flips a group. That was Budimir’s job on the day, and he did it.

Midfield control from Bruno, Vitinha and Baturina

Bruno Fernandes operated as Portugal’s creative engine and posted an 8.7 Sofascore Rating. He assisted once, created 2 big chances and threaded the kind of early balls that stress defensive lines. His timing between midfield and attack connected Portugal’s best phases. He also pressed with intent, helping the team regain shape quickly after turnovers. The numbers marry the eye test here, and his all‑round play lifted everyone around him. When Bruno dictates like this, Portugal look balanced and dangerous.

Vitinha supplied the rhythm deeper in midfield. He completed 95 of 98 passes for a superb 97% and logged 100 touches, keeping possession safe while moving it on the right tempo. He created 1 big chance and added an estimated 200 meters of total progression through his passing and carries. The security he brings lets full backs, yes including Mendes, push high without panic. For Croatia, Martin Baturina brought the flair with a 7.5 Sofascore Rating. He went 6 out of 6 on dribbles and won 15 duels, a rare combination of skill and fight. The last time a player attempted more than five dribbles and had a 100% success rate at the World Cup was Eden Hazard in 2018, which says plenty about the level of Baturina’s outing.

Back four and wing threat seal it

Rúben Dias anchored Portugal with a 7.7 Sofascore Rating and the reliability you expect. He won 7 duels, made 3 possessions won and completed 62 of 63 passes for 98%. The calm distribution let Portugal reset pressure and avoid cheap giveaways. On England’s right side, Marc Guehi was immense with an 8.3 Sofascore Rating. He won 12 duels and completed 126 of 129 passes at 98%, the most accurate passes by an England player at this World Cup. That volume and precision underlined how comfortably England handled their game state.

Josip Stanišić gave Croatia width and quality and finished with a 7.7 Sofascore Rating. His excellent cross set up Budimir for the match winner, and he kept his flank secure when Panama pushed late. Over on the opposite touchline, Daniel Muñoz brought decisive end product for Colombia. The right back scored the winning goal against DR Congo and signed off at 7.8 on the Sofascore Rating scale. His timing in the box capped a solid defensive outing and kept Colombia flying in Group K. It was a day for full backs, and our XI reflects that.

Safe hands: Mpasi Nzau

DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi Nzau takes the gloves in our Team of the Day. He made 8 saves in total, with 4 coming from shots inside the area, and posted 0.39 goals prevented based on shot quality. That kind of shot‑stopping kept DR Congo in the contest well beyond expectation. His positioning was clean, his parries sensible and his decision‑making under crosses assured. Distribution under pressure also helped settle his back line after flurries. In a round filled with attacking highlights, his 7.5 Sofascore Rating is a reminder that elite goalkeeping still swings matches. On Sofascore you can dig into each stop on the shot map and see why the number backed him. He did more than enough to earn the goalkeeper spot for June 23.

Plenty of big names delivered, and a few fresh faces matched them stride for stride. Track every live Sofascore Rating, shot map and passing network in the Sofascore app and stay ready for tomorrow’s Team of the Day.