Portugal got the response it needed on Tuesday night, routing Uzbekistan 5-0 at NRG Stadium in Houston in the second round of World Cup 2026 group play. After an opening 1-1 draw with Congo, Roberto Martinez's team moved back on track and improved to four points, strengthening its position in the group race.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had not scored in Portugal's first match of the tournament, led the way with his first brace of the World Cup and showed at 41 that he remains the side's central figure. Bruno Fernandes also stood out with two assists, while Nuno Mendes scored a stylish goal from a set piece and Rafael Leao added the fifth late on.
Portugal started fast. Fernandes tested Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov in the second minute, Ronaldo missed from close range two minutes later, and then converted Joao Cancelo's cross in the sixth minute for 1-0. In the 17th minute, Ronaldo unexpectedly left a free kick to Mendes, who placed a low shot into the corner for 2-0.
Uzbekistan briefly thought it had pulled one back in the 29th minute through Azizjon Ganiev, but VAR ruled it out for a foul in the buildup. That call swung the momentum decisively, and Fernandes then sent a long through ball to Ronaldo, who controlled well and scored again in the 39th minute for 3-0 before halftime.
Portugal kept control after the break. Joao Felix came close in the 49th minute, and in the 60th minute a dangerous corner led to an own goal by Nematov, making it 4-0. Leao finished the scoring in the 87th minute. Ronaldo nearly completed a hat trick in the 74th minute, but Nematov made a strong reflex save. Uzbekistan suffered a second straight loss and now needs a major turnaround in the final group match to stay alive.
