Portugal vs Uzbekistan LIVE: World Cup 2026 match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal aiming to spark World Cup campaign into life in Houston this evening

Action from the World Cup continues this evening with another David vs Goliath showdown as the much-fancied Portugal face tournament debutants Uzbekistan in Houston. The opening Group K game brought about frustration for Roberto Martinez's side as they were held to a draw by DR Congo despite taking an early lead, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo largely subdued.

The Portugal captain has since come in for some criticism for his performance, and once again questions are being raised as to whether his role in the team should be diminished. Nevertheless, he will be desperate to prove his doubters wrong by helping his nation kickstart their World Cup 2026 campaign and also respond to his rivals in the Golden Boot race, though he currently trails Lionel Messi by five goals.

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Uzbekistan team in full

Uzbekistan XI: Nematov; Karimov, Khusanov, Abdullaev, Ashurmatov, Nasrullaev; Shukurov, Hamrobekov, Ganiev, Fayzullaev; Shomurodov.

Substitutes: Ergashev, Yusupov, Alijonov, Sayfiev, Eshmurodov, Ulmasaliev, Urozov, Mozgovoy, Iskanderov, Jiyanov, Urunov, Khamdamov, Esanov, Amonov, Sergeev.

Portugal team in full

Portugal XI: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Fernandes, Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Joao Felix, Ronaldo.

Substitutes: Jose Sa, Rui Silva, Dalot, Nunes, Semedo, Inacio, Araujo, Ruben Neves, Samu Costa, Bernardo Silva, Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Rafael Leao, Goncalo Guedes, Goncalo Ramos.

Portugal vs Uzbekistan LIVE - team news imminent

The teams will be announced shortly!

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Who is in charge of Uzbekistan?

That honour falls upon Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro, who lifted the trophy 20 years ago.

Cannavaro was appointed Uzbekistan national team head coach last October, particularly for their debut World Cup appearance and has won three of his nine games in charge.

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Martinez leaps to Ronaldo's defence

Here is what Roberto Martinez has said about Cristiano Ronaldo, amid calls to drop the Portugal captain.

“Cristiano is in the national team on merit. Nobody gets into the national team by just having a name. On the field, he's a player who draws defenders and creates space for others, and for us, that's really important."

"It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals.

“A player's main weakness is usually when they don't show enough effort or don't have the right mindset. A player who doesn't show commitment or the right attitude isn't selected for the national team."

Uzbekistan squad

Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov, Botirali Ergashev, Abduvokhid Nematov

Defenders: Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Jakhongir Urozov, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Umarbek Eshmurodov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Farrukh Sayfiev, Khojiakbar Alijonov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Behruz Karimov

Midfielders: Sherzod Esanov, Umarali Rakhmonaliev, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Jamshid Iskanderov, Azizjon Ganiev, Abbosek Fayzullaev, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Oston Urunov

Forwards: Azizbek Amonov, Igor Sergeev, Eldor Shomurodov

Predicted Portugal XI

Debate rages on about Cristiano Ronaldo, who against the DR Congo became the oldest outfield player ever at a World Cup at 41 years of age.

He is expected to start up top once more, but it remains to be seen whether Roberto Martinez sticks or twists with Bernardo Silva wide right and Pedro Neto on the opposite flank.

Predicted Portugal XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Silva, Fernandes, Rafa Leao; Ronaldo.

Uzbekistan lose first World Cup game

Goals in the second from Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz ultimately saw Colombia come out on top against Uzbekistan as the last two teams began their World Cup campaign.

The South Americans broke the deadlock when Diaz’s cross into the box was met by a well-timed run from Daniel Munoz to steer the ball past goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov.

Uzbekistan showed more attacking intent after the break and found an equaliser with their first real opportunity on the hour mark, Camilo Vargas saving Eldor Shomurodov’s volley only for the ball to loop up and Abbosbek Fayzullaev headed home from almost on the line.

The lead lasted just five minutes, Yusupov failing to keep out Diaz’s shot as Colombia broke in numbers after regaining possession in midfield.

Substitute Campaz finally ended any doubt as he headed in Cucho Hernandez’s cross nine minutes into stoppage time, although teenager Bekhruz Karimov still had time to crash a shot against the crossbar.

Portugal begin with a draw

Portugal were left disappointed as they opened their World Cup 2026 account with a 1-1 draw against the DR Congo.

Roberto Martinez’s side were hoping to start their campaign with a statement victory that would have set the tone of Group K, but instead, Cristiano Ronaldo and co. were pegged back by Yoane Wissa’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time to cancel out Joao Neves’ early opener.

Today's settings

The Houston Stadium, aka the NRG Stadium, has staged three World Cup games so far, including Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo last week.

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