Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan Player Ratings: Cristiano Ronaldo brace leads Seleção revival | OneFootball

Portugal rebounded from its dour opener against DRC with a smashing 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Houston, Texas yesterday. Cristiano Ronaldo, as he has so often done throughout his career, delivered a firm response to the avalanche of criticism he received with two well-taken goals. Nuno Mendes scored a brilliant free kick and Rafael Leão added the finishing touches with a fine strike minutes before full time.

Starters

Diogo Costa – 7/10

Rarely troubled but made a couple of routine saves, and critically, no mistakes. More will be required of him against Luiz Diaz and co.

Nuno Mendes – 7.5

Spectacular free kick to extend Portugal’s first half advantage. Three key passes, good defensive cover and showed his remarkable acceleration on a few occasions. Even so, his first touch, decision-making and passing (77% completion) were not what supporters might expect from him. Could he still be recovering from a slight knock?

Renato Veiga – 6.5

Looked more comfortable next to Dias, top in clearances and interceptions. Yellow-carded in the second half. The backline as a whole remains a liability, but Veiga alone is not to blame.

Rúben Dias – 7

Some good challenges and brought more harmony to the backline though Portugal were still not entirely comfortable against Uzbekistan. Good involvement and tied for most aerials won (3).

João Cancelo – 6.5

What stood out the most was Cancelo’s dawdling on the ball before Uzbekistan’s disallowed goal in the first half. Unnecessary and arguably soft decision from the referee to chalk off what would have been a fine strike. But a great run and assist for Ronaldo in 45 minutes of work.

João Neves – 6.5

Not as involved but his work rate alongside Vitinha remains crucial to the success of this team. A couple good tackles and 96% passing before being withdrawn for Bernardo Silva with 15 minutes to spare.

Vitinha – 7

Top in touches (100) in 83 minutes, no surprise. More direct than against DRC but only one key pass and still no shots on target this tournament.

Bruno Fernandes – 7.5

Not very efficient but quietly had a very solid game. Fantastic throughball for Ronaldo’s goal then played in a delightful chip over the wall in Portugal’s free kick routine which nearly resulted in another Ronaldo goal.

João Félix – 7

Brought in to link play with Ronaldo, Félix added a dimension that was missing against DRC. Match high in completed dribbles (4) and fired in three shots. A decent outing and likely to see more involvement in future matches.

Pedro Neto – 7

In terms of attacking ingenuity, Neto might have been Portugal’s best player in the first half. His direct runs and trickery on the wing unsettled the opposition, and allowed others to flourish – Cancelo, for example. The principal criticism remains…Neto needs to test the keeper more often.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 9, PortuGOAL.net’s Man of the Match

Ran back the years in this one. Active even before his excellent opener from Cancelo’s cross. Told Bruno exactly when and where he wanted the ball then placed a surgical effort just inside the upright for his second. Brilliant dummies on two free kicks, one of which resulted in Nuno Mendes’ opener. Took the ball off the keeper and nearly scored a wonderful solo effort. A night when you might say the only criticism is that he did not score more. Seven total shots, an excellent defensive header, and the kind of positional awareness and runs into space that have made him the devastating goalscorer he is. Long may this continue.

Substitutes

Nélson Semedo – 6.5

Not as involved as Cancelo but anchored the right side of defence well enough in the second half. His speed and footwork make him an excellent super sub.

Francisco Conceição – 6

How shall I say – carried the ball with a lack of awareness? Scampered all over but too frequently ran into traffic instead of into space. Hard working but naïve. No shots on target, no key passes.

Trinção – 6

Should have scored with his only effort but missed wide left. A useful outlet but not particularly effective in his passing (80%).

Bernardo Silva – 6

Not significantly involved but completed 19/19 passes on 31 touches in the second half.

Rafael Leão – 7.5

Needed only 11 touches to terrorize the left flank with fierce direct runs and a thumping finish into the top corner which will surely do his confidence a world of good. The kind of performance Portugal will need more of to advance in the knockout rounds.