Ronaldo brace leads Portugal rout as Uzbekistan fall in Houston

Portugal returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thrashing Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston to reignite their Group K campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo rolled back the years with a magnificent brace, while Nuno Mendes, an own goal from Abduvokhid Nematov and a late strike from Rafael Leão completed a dominant Portuguese display.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match, Roberto Martínez’s side responded perfectly.

Ronaldo opened the scoring after just six minutes, sliding home João Cancelo’s cutback before Nuno Mendes doubled the lead with a brilliantly executed free-kick in the 17th minute.

The Portuguese captain struck again six minutes before halftime, finishing calmly from Bruno Fernandes’ through ball to make it 3-0.

Portugal never looked back, with Nematov’s unfortunate own goal and Leão's late finish sealing an emphatic victory.

Portugal’s performance once again highlighted why they are considered one of Europe’s football giants.

Representing UEFA, Portugal won their first major international trophy at UEFA Euro 2016 before adding the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

Although they have never won the FIFA World Cup, their best finishes came in 1966, when they placed third, and 2006, when they finished fourth.

Portugal have consistently been among the strongest teams in international football during the Ronaldo era.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, are making history with their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.

Members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the White Wolves have emerged as one of Central Asia’s strongest football nations.

Their qualification for the 2026 tournament marked the greatest achievement in the country’s football history and represented a major milestone for Uzbek football.

Portugal are coached by Roberto Martínez, the Spanish tactician who previously guided Belgium to third place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the best finish in Belgian history.

Uzbekistan are led by legendary Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro, captain of Italy’s 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning team and winner of the 2006 Ballon d’Or, becoming one of the few defenders ever to claim football’s most prestigious individual award.

Ronaldo’s brace carried enormous historical significance.

The goals took his FIFA World Cup tally to 10, making him Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup history and the first player ever to score in six different World Cup tournaments.

Since making his World Cup debut in 2006, Ronaldo's World Cup goals have come against Iran (2006), North Korea, Brazil and Ghana (2010), Ghana (2014), Spain, Morocco and Ghana (2018 and 2022 tournaments), and now twice against Uzbekistan in 2026.

Across six World Cups—2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026—Ronaldo has continued to rewrite football history, further cementing his status as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

With Colombia awaiting in their final group match, Portugal have restored confidence and momentum, while Ronaldo’s latest masterclass has once again demonstrated his enduring ability to shine on football’s biggest stage.

Photos