World Cup Group K
At Ronaldo’s record show: Portugal defeats Uzbekistan
Updated June 23, 2026 – 9:10 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Iberians got off to a dream start and gave Uzbekistan no chance. After heavy criticism, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in particular shines.
The knot has burst: Cristiano Ronaldo got rid of his frustration and finally set course for the longed-for World Cup title with Portugal. Led by double packer Ronaldo (6th/39th), Portugal deservedly won 5-0 (3-0) against Uzbekistan and can plan for the hot phase of the tournament.
Nuno Mendes also scored a remarkable free kick in the 17th minute. After an hour, Abdukodir Khusanov also scored an own goal, and three minutes before the end, substitute Rafael Leão also scored the final score.
- New World Cup records: Ronaldo’s double pack of historic proportions
In the last group game against Colombia, Portugal is aiming to win the group. World Cup newcomers Uzbekistan are on the verge of elimination after two defeats.
That’s how the game went
After the false start with the 1-1 draw against DR Congo, Ronaldo in particular found himself at the center of criticism. But that left the 41-year-old cold. First he missed the ball by centimeters after a cross from Mendes (4th), only two minutes later the timing was right. The liberating goal celebration with the entire team was like a big bang; Ronaldo recently scored a tournament goal in the opening game in Qatar 2022 WM and celebrate the European Championships.
And his team held on against the harmless Uzbeks of coach Fabio Cannavaro, who had lost the opener against Colombia 1:3. When it came to the free kick from 18 meters, everyone expected Ronaldo to be the shooter – including goalkeeper Abduwachid Nematow, who was surprisingly rotated into the starting line-up and looked unhappy when PSG defender Mendes shot it halfway into the goalkeeper’s corner.
Completely out of nowhere, the underdog suddenly celebrated the connection. However, there was a foul before Asischon Ganiyev’s fantastic angle goal, and referee Jayed Jalal took the goal back according to the pictures (29′). On the other hand, Ronaldo converted dryly into the far corner after a great pass from Bruno Fernandes, becoming the oldest World Cup double in history.
And the Selecao captain had further opportunities: Shortly before the break, Abdukodir Chusanov scratched Ronaldo’s chip off the line (45th + 5th), after a fine free-kick trick with Mendes, keeper Nematow made a last-ditch save (59th), but the two Uzbeks worked together to put the subsequent sharp corner from Fernandes into their own goal. In the final phase, chants of “Cristiano Ronaldo” continued throughout the Houston Stadium, which was sold out with 68,777 spectators.
