Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice Tuesday, marking his return to the 2026 FIFA World Cup scoring column in Portugal's commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium. The victory propelled Portugal to four points in Group K, bringing them closer to a spot in the round of 32, while tournament debutants Uzbekistan faces elimination after losing their first two matches.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute, converting a pass from right back João Cancelo. He added his second goal in the 39th minute, a run behind Uzbekistan's defense, set up by a pass from former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes. This brought his international goal tally to 145 for Portugal and his World Cup total to 10. The brace ended a streak of 10 major tournament appearances without a goal, spanning over five years. At 41, Ronaldo has now scored eight goals in nine appearances for Portugal in 2025, demonstrating his continued importance to the team.
Portugal's attack was also fueled by their fullbacks and Fernandes. João Cancelo, who provided the assist for the first goal, was instrumental in creating opportunities from the right flank before being substituted at halftime. On the left, Nuno Mendes controlled the side of the field and scored Portugal's second goal from a free kick that surprised Uzbekistan's goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov. Fernandes directed the offense from the midfield, switching the point of attack and assisting Ronaldo's second goal. Vitinha also played a role in transitioning the ball from defense to offense.
For Uzbekistan, the loss signifies a likely early exit from their first World Cup. Despite hiring former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro as their coach, the team has struggled against strong opponents. However, the experience is expected to benefit the Uzbek players and contribute to the sport's development in the country. Uzbekistan has been investing in football infrastructure, including the construction of 3,500 mini-football fields, and its youth programs have seen success, with U-20 and U-17 teams winning continental championships and the nation qualifying for the Olympics in 2024.
Portugal's coach Roberto Martinez faces decisions for the upcoming group stage finale against Colombia, which will determine the group's winner. Following a draw against DR Congo, Martinez replaced Bernardo Silva with João Félix. The coach has a variety of options to consider, including starting Rafael Leão, who scored Portugal's final goal against Uzbekistan, or bringing Silva back into the lineup. Martinez has emphasized that no player has a guaranteed spot, and the team's depth was showcased during pre-tournament friendlies where all 26 players were utilized. The match against Colombia may offer a clearer picture of the starting lineup for a team considered capable of a deep tournament run.