Portugal earned its first win at the 2026 World Cup, routing Uzbekistan 5-0 in a dominant display led by Cristiano Ronaldo. The veteran forward scored twice and reached 10 World Cup goals, underlining his importance on the pitch.
Portugal came into the match after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Congo in the opening round, amid rumors of unrest and disagreements in the squad. Instead of cracking, the team delivered a strong statement and looked far more settled and dangerous.
The scoring started early, with Ronaldo finishing a sixth-minute assist from Joao Cancelo. Nuno Mendes doubled the lead 10 minutes later with a fine free kick, and in the 39th minute Bruno Fernandes set up Ronaldo for his second goal. In the 60th minute, Fernandes sent in a corner that ended with Uzbekistan goalkeeper Nematov putting the ball into his own net.
Substitute Rafael Leao completed the scoring in the 87th minute with a sharp finish for 5-0. The result moved Portugal close to securing a place in the next round, and if they beat Colombia in the final group match they will finish first in the group. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, has complicated its path forward and must beat Congo in the closing round while hoping other results go its way.
