Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan match report - Cristiano Ronaldo steers the Seleção to victory at the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign is back on track after a comprehensive 5-0 win against Uzbekistan at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Roberto Martínez’s side started strong and went close on two occasions, Bruno Fernandes' shot deflected wide and Cristiano Ronaldo a whisker away from converting Nuno Mendes’ cross.

The pressure persisted and the opening goal came in the 6th minute. João Cancelo delivered a cross from the right wing, Ronaldo finding space and smashing the ball past Abduvohid Nematov to equal Eusébio as Portugal's top scorer at the World Cup.

Ronaldo delayed his customary celebration to embrace the bench, eventually providing his thousands of fans what they had paid to see.

The Seleção doubled their advantage in the 16th minute after Odiljon Khamrobekov took down Pedro Neto on the edge of the box. All the focus was on Ronaldo taking the free kick, Mendes briefly stealing the spotlight by curling the ball past a flat footed Nematov.

The crowd voiced their displeasure at the first advertising break which came with Uzbekistan on the ropes and frequently chasing shadows. They used the short coaching session to their advantage, Fabio Cannavaro’s side came out and enjoyed their best period of the match.

Cancelo lost possession which resulted in Aziz Ganiev firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Cancelo immediately protested to referee Jalal Jayed who watched replays and sided with the full-back who had been fouled by Abbos Fayzullaev.

Portugal regained control and made it 3-0 in the 39th minute. Fernandes raced clear and played a precise pass through to Ronaldo who steered the ball across Nematov and into the bottom corner.

Ronaldo went close to securing a hat-trick on the stroke of half-time when he diverted Pedro Neto’s cross over Nematov, Abdukodir Khusanov doing well to get back and clear the ball off the line.

Nelson Semedo and Francisco Conceição replaced Cancelo and Neto at the break, Cannavaro’ bringing on Khojiakbar Alijonov and Akmal Mozgovoy for Sherzod Nasrullaev and Odiljon Khamrobekov.

Félix fired over the bar before two chances fell for Uzbekistan, Fayzullaev shooting straight at Diogo Costa and Otabek Shukurov’s effort deflected wide.

Portugal executed a clever free kick routine that saw Ronaldo run towards the defensive live, collect Fernandes’ pass and force a sharp save from Nematov. The Seleção made it 4-0 from the resulting corner.

Fernandes delivered a grass cutter into the danger zone where confusion was caused, Khusanov eventually diverting the ball off Nematov and into his own net.

Félix made way for Francisco Trincão before Nematov kicked the ball into Ronaldo who forced the goalkeeper into yet another save. Martínez then overhauled his midfield, João Neves and Vitinha replaced by Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão.

Fernandes low drive was tipped wide by Nematov but the goalkeeper was given no chance to stop Portugal’s fifth goal in the 87th minute. Fernandes released Semedo, his cross deflecting into the path of Leão who found the top corner.

Trincão steered Mendes’ cross wide in added time, the last act in an entertaining encounter.

Job done

Roberto Martínez and his side received a generous amount of criticism after the 1-1 draw against DR Congo, some of it overblown even by Portuguese standards. Some of it malicious.

Cristiano Ronaldo received his fair share as is customary, but he reminded many that when he is provided with chances he will score. The 41-year-old took his World Cup tally to 10 goals, surpassing Eusébio as Portugal's all-time top scorer in the competition and becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.

It was a much improved performance and the two early goals forced Uzbekistan to come out and play which was never going to work in their favour. We have seen what happens when inferior sides open up against Portugal, most notably in the 9-0 demolition of Luxembourg.

The Seleção now have five days to prepare for the clash against Colombia in Miami, the contest likely to decide who takes top spot in Group K.

More to follow...

Line Ups

Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; João Cancelo (Nélson Semedo 46’), Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; João Neves (Bernardo Silva 76’), Vitinha (Rafael Leão 83’); João Félix (Francisco Trincão 64’), Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto (Francisco Conceição 46’); Cristiano Ronaldo

Unused Substitutions: José Sá, Rui Silva, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio, Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Neves, Samú Costa, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos

Manager: Roberto Martínez

Uzbekistan (5-3-2): Abduvohid Nematov; Behruz Karimov (Ruslanbek Jiyanov 90+1’), Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Sherzod Nasrullaev (Khozhiakbar Alizhonov 46’); Odil Khamrobekov (Akmal Mozgovoy 46’), Otabek Shukurov (Sherzod Esanov 90+1’), Aziz Ganiev; Abbos Fayzullaev (Igor Sergeev 76’), Eldor Shomurodov

Unused Substitutions: Utkir Yusupov, Botir Ergashev, Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Umar Eshmurodov, Jakhongir Urozov, Farruh Sayfiev, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Oston Urunov, Jamshid Iskandarov, Azizbek Amonov

Manager: Fabio Cannavaro

Goals