EFC Brief

For Evertonians, this one carries an unmistakable pull: James Rodríguez leads the line for Colombia, and there's no need to stretch for the connection. The Colombian was Everton's marquee signing under Carlo Ancelotti in 2020, arriving with genuine stardust and delivering some of Goodison's most elegant football in years before his stay fizzled out after a single season. Watching him pull the strings for his country is a reminder of what might have been. There's a second Goodison thread on the opposite bench, where Roberto Martínez manages Portugal. The Spaniard's three years at Everton ended in disappointment, but he's rebuilt his reputation on the international stage and now commands a side stacked with elite talent. With lineups confirmed and James in the Colombia setup, the brief is simple from a blue perspective: follow the No. 10. Kick-off is 7:30 PM ET — the watching brief belongs firmly to the former Toffee.