Portugal Secures Dominant Victory Over Uzbekistan with Ronaldo Brace

By Callum Ashford — 23 June 2026 — 3 min read

Portugal secured a dominant victory over Uzbekistan in a recent match, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a brace. The win brought relief for manager Roberto Martínez after the team’s slow start in the tournament. Portugal now has four points from their initial two games, while Uzbekistan is yet to register any points.

Ronaldo’s performance marked his first goals in the tournament, ending a personal scoring drought in major competitions. His two first-half goals were a highlight for the Houston crowd. The opening goal came from a João Cancelo cutback, which Ronaldo met emphatically from close range. His second goal was a one-touch finish past the goalkeeper after receiving a through ball from Bruno Fernandes, making the score 3-0 at half-time.

The match saw Portugal control possession from the outset. Nuno Mendes also contributed with a free-kick goal. Uzbekistan’s defense struggled against the Portuguese attack, with Abduvokhid Nematov, the goalkeeper, and Abdukodir Khusanov, a defender, facing continuous pressure.

Uzbekistan believed they had scored through a strike from Azizjon Ganiev when the score was 2-0, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Cancelo. Khusanov later made an acrobatic goal-line clearance towards the end of the first half. However, an unfortunate own goal occurred when Khusanov diverted a low corner into his own net, contributing to Portugal’s tally.

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Portugal’s Dominance and Squad Depth

Portugal’s dominance was evident throughout the game. They had previously struggled to find a cutting edge in their match against DR Congo, despite controlling play. Against Uzbekistan, they capitalised on numerous opportunities. The team’s lively support approved of their attacking display.

The squad’s depth was further highlighted by Rafael Leão, who came off the bench to score the fifth goal with a rising drive in the 88th minute. Leão’s late strike completed the rout. Matheus Nunes was an unused substitute for Portugal in this encounter.

Rafael Leão scores for Portugal against Uzbekistan — Rafael Leão caps the 5-0 rout late on.Photograph: Phil Noble Credit: theguardian.com

Despite his two goals, Ronaldo was denied a hat-trick, with one shot being deflected wide and another saved by the goalkeeper. He also had an added-time effort that went off target. The team’s set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee, was seen embracing Martínez after the own goal from the corner, indicating the team’s collective effort.

Looking Ahead in Group K

Portugal’s victory places them in a strong position in Group K. They are set to complete their group stage schedule against Colombia. This upcoming match is scheduled for a 00:30 (UK) kick-off on Sunday, 28 June. Topping the group could prove significant as the tournament progresses.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Portugal against Uzbekistan — Cristiano Ronaldo’s double for Portugal brought relief for Roberto Martínez and ended the player’s spell of not scoring at a major tournament.Photograph: Walid Ibrahim/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Credit: theguardian.com

Uzbekistan, still without a point, will play against DR Congo at the exact same time. The outcome of the match between DR Congo and Colombia could determine Uzbekistan’s fate in the tournament. Meanwhile, England, featuring players like Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly, and James Trafford, will face Antoine Semenyo’s Ghana later this evening.

The match showcased Portugal’s potential as contenders in the tournament, with a strong midfield including Vitinha, João Neves, and Bruno Fernandes. Ronaldo’s ability to score remains a valuable asset for the team.

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