Colombia-Portugal World Cup match draws sky-high ticket prices, some fans make financial sacrifices

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Roberto Martínez bought his family tickets for Saturday's World Cup group stage match between Colombia and Portugal several months ago. He knew it was going to be tough game to get into, so he didn't wait.

How tough a ticket? Well, Martínez had one of the easier paths to the game. He coaches Portugal.

Of course, no one else was that lucky.

The stories at Miami Stadium from fans entering the match were fascinating. Most of the 64,000 or so people coming in spent $1,000 or more, per seat, just to say they were there for what might be one of Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup matches.

“I think it’s fascinating, the passion of the game in a difficult moment in the world,” Martínez said. “Football still brings unity, it brings passion, it brings inspiration for the kids, all the values that you want to see in a human being. It makes me extremely proud.”

Not everyone shared that opinion. Colombia fans were rooting for Colombia, Portugal fans were rooting for Portugal, and that would be expected.

And considering what they paid — a game like this was worth it, many said — they more than earned the right to cheer as lustily as they wanted.

Colombia natives and brothers Juan and Felipe Ramirez made the trip from Europe to Miami for just a few days, spending $2,400 on each ticket.

“We put it down," Juan Ramirez said, “because this is a once in a lifetime experience.”

Since the draw made clear that this matchup would happen, Colombia vs. Portugal has held a level of anticipation that is largely unusual for group-stage matches — certainly one of the most anticipated in this tournament. FIFA said tickets for this match were among the most sought during the pre-event purchasing process.

“I paid $3,000 for one ticket. This is my first World Cup," said Pablo Ceballos, a Mexico native but a Ronaldo fan. “I am old — 40 — and this is the last time I will get to see Cristiano. That’s why I paid for this. I cried when I stepped in the stadium. Forty years for this, that’s why I paid that.”

Ronaldo, of course, might take issue with Ceballos calling himself “old” at 40. The Portugal great is 41.

Since demand couldn't possibly match supply for this match, prices soared. The lowest get-in prices hovered around $3,500 early Saturday, with prices ranging from $2,676 to $22,084 on StubHub on Friday.

Gustova Borda, a lifelong Colombia fan, described how meaningful it is for him and his wife to see their team back in Miami, a city that holds special meaning for the couple.

“This is a very important city for us. She was treated for breast cancer here about two years ago,” Borda said about their return to the city.

His wife, who declined to offer specifics about her health, was in a Colombia jersey — as were thousands of others in the stadium.

Their price to get in?

“We spent $8,300 for both of our tickets," Borda said, “and I think it was totally worth it.”

Other fans said they saved for months to ensure they could attend this game. Colombia fan Gina Barrios spent $1,500 apiece for her tickets — and thought that was a bargain.

“I bought it through a family friend, but I know they were going for a lot higher," Barrios said. "This is my country ... so I was very excited to see them here again.”

Gracie Fisher is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here.

A supporter has her stomach painted in Colombia colours before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Colombia and Portuguese supporters react before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Portuguese supporters react before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

A Colombia and Portuguese supporter react before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Croatia earned a spot in the World Cup knockout round, getting goals from Nikola Vlašić and Luka Sučić to beat Ghana 2-1 on Saturday.

Ghana had already clinched a spot in the round of 32 for the first time since 2010.

Vlašić headed home Luka Modrić’s corner in the 83rd minute to score the winner and put Croatia back in contention after it finished third in 2022. The win means Croatia finished second behind England in Group L, with Ghana third.

Sučić scored in the 31st minute for Croatia on an absolute rocket from outside the box for his second career international goal.

Derrick Luckassen scored the equalizer that —- after a brief review — sent thousands of fans wearing yellow into a frenzy. Luckassen, brother of the Netherlands’ Brian Brobbey, found the bottom right corner in the 73rd minute to make it 1-1 and the first of the five group stage games in Philadelphia where both teams scored.

Ghana goalie Benjamin Asare briefly kept it a tie game on a diving stop off the top of his hand that sent the ball over the net but failed only a minute later to stop Vlašić.

Vlašić wagged his tongue and ran toward his teammates with outstretched arms in celebration.

Sučić helped Croatia take a 1-0 lead into halftime in a game where a couple of near misses prevented it from building a more comfortable lead. Nikola Vlašić bonked one of the posts earlier in the half, and Modric’s cross on a free kick into the box was headed over the bar by Marin Pongračić.

Ghana seemed poised to tie the game late in the half when Antoine Semenyo beat his man and fired a shot that slid across the Kentucky bluegrass and went just wide of the left post.

Semenyo was one of the few prominent attackers in this tournament to go without a goal in the first three games. He finished third in the Premier League with 17 goals last season and was one of Manchester City’s best players after it bought him from Bournemouth, yet couldn’t connect in the World up against Panama, England and even Croatia’s backline.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have dazzled in the World Cup where every game has seemed like a showcase for the tournament’s top stars.

The good news for Semenyo is, there’s at least one more shot for him to bust through for Ghana.

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Ghana's Derrick Luckassen (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Croatia's Nikola Vlasic (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Croatia's Nikola Vlasic (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Ghana supporters cheer after their first goal during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Croatia's Nikola Vlasic (13) scores his side's second goal during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr Josek)