By Dwayne Ferreira.
Ronaldo scores twice and becomes the first man to net at six World Cups as Portugal crush Uzbekistan 5-0 and move top of Group K on four points.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at six men’s World Cups as Portugal swept Uzbekistan aside 5-0 in Group K, restoring momentum to their campaign and moving onto four points from two matches.
Portugal had opened with a frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo, while tournament debutants Uzbekistan entered the Houston contest needing a response after losing 3-1 to Colombia. Roberto Martínez kept Ronaldo at the centre of his attack and demanded greater control after admitting his side had played too emotionally in their opening fixture.
The response was immediate. Portugal circulated the ball at speed, pushed Uzbekistan backwards and opened the scoring after six minutes when João Cancelo drove a low cross into the six-yard area. Ronaldo escaped his marker and finished at the near post, ending a 10-match scoring drought at major finals.
Nuno Mendes doubled the lead in the 17th minute with an inventive free kick. Ronaldo stood over the ball as a decoy, but Mendes took the set piece quickly and caught goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov and the Uzbekistan wall unprepared. Portugal’s movement continued to stretch Fabio Cannavaro’s side, who struggled to move play beyond midfield.
Uzbekistan briefly believed they had reduced the deficit when Azizjon Ganiev produced a fine finish after the first hydration break. A VAR review, however, identified a foul on Cancelo during the build-up and the goal was disallowed, removing the visitors’ best route back into the contest.
Ronaldo struck again in the 39th minute. Bruno Fernandes released him into space and the captain guided a composed finish into the far corner, taking his World Cup total to 10 and moving beyond Eusébio as Portugal’s leading scorer at the tournament. The goal also completed a commanding first half in which Uzbekistan were repeatedly exposed by Portugal’s quicker passing.
The fourth arrived on the hour when Nematov mishandled an awkward ball and carried it into his own net. Portugal continued to create chances, although Ronaldo passed up opportunities to complete a hat-trick before Rafael Leão finished the scoring in the 87th minute.
Portugal registered 17 attempts, including eight on target, and showed the discipline Martínez had demanded. Ronaldo supplied the headline moment, but Mendes, Fernandes and Cancelo also shaped a performance built on aggressive pressing, rapid combinations and far cleaner decision-making in the final third.
Uzbekistan were unable to reproduce the attacking threat they had shown against Colombia. Their disallowed effort offered a brief lift, yet defensive uncertainty and an inability to relieve pressure left them chasing the match from the opening stages. A second defeat leaves the debutants without a point and close to elimination.
Portugal now face Colombia in Miami on June 27 with first place in Group K available, while Uzbekistan meet DR Congo at the same time needing victory and favourable results elsewhere. Ronaldo’s record added another historic chapter to his career, but the scale and authority of the win may prove even more important for Portugal’s wider ambitions.
MATCH SUMMARY
Portugal – 5
Cristiano Ronaldo 6’, 39’
Nuno Mendes 17’
Abduvohid Nematov 60’ own goal
Rafael Leão 87’
Uzbekistan – 0
Result: Portugal won 5-0
Player of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group K
Venue: Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas
Date: June 23, 2026
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