Portugal Vs Uzbekistan Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo's Brace Helps POR Thrash Sorry UZB In Houston

The Portugal vs Uzbekistan FIFA World Cup Group K match will be telecast live on the Unite8 Sports 1 (SD and HD) and Unite8 Sports 2 (SD and HD) channels and will be streamed live on the ZEE5 website and application.

These two countries have never faced each other in men’s international football till date. The upcoming FIFA World Cup Group K match in Houston thus will be the first meeting.

Portugal Starting XI: Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Joao Felix, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo.

Uzbekistan Starting XI: Nematov; Khusanov, Abdullaev, Ashurmatov; Karimov, Shukurov, Khamrobekov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullaev, Shomurodov, Ganiev.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored once in Qatar but hasn't found the net yet in North America. This has led to some concerns about his current performance and what lies ahead for him. Tonight, he has a great opportunity to silence those doubts with a standout performance against a relatively weak Uzbekistan side.

Teams are out as we approach live action. As the Portugal national anthem gets over, cameras pan to the big screens where the image of Diogo Jota appears. How POR would have done with the LFC forward now.

And we are away in Houston.

Portugal 0-0 Uzbekistan 1'

Joao Neves causes chaos for the Uzbekistan defence. He cuts back and picks out Bruno Fernandes, who's shot goes out . Huge chance.

Portugal 0-0 Uzbekistan 3'

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes looks in the mood with the midfielder already seeing most of the ball and looking to scoop deliveries in the box.

Portugal 0-0 Uzbekistan 5'

Bet IShowSpeed will be going bonkers as Cristiano Ronaldo finally gets on the scoresheet. All the pre-game talk around the veteran footballer, who has not been amongst the goals, the former Real Madrid ace grabs the headlines with the game's opening goal. He's now the World Cup's second-oldest scorer.

Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan 6'

Portugal are playing the ball around a lot quicker than they did against DR Congo. But they will need to score the second goal.

Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan 13'

Pedro Neto is hauled down by Odiljon Khamrobekov right on the edge of the box.

Cristiano Ronaldo is readying to take the free-kick.

Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan 15'

Portugal seem to fool Uzbekistan into thinking that it will be CR7 taking the free-kick but it's Nuno Mendes who curls it into the bottom corner as POR bag that elusive second goal.

Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan 17'

Uzbekistan players have lost the plot it seems. They seem to not know what the strategy is with many of their players committing fouls on the edge of the penalty area.

Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan 24'

UZB coach Fabio Cannavaro must ask his players to regroup and strategise after that horrible start to the game. POR are having a fun time out there with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes playing as if they are on a turf.

Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan 26'

Aziz G'aniev with a screamer of a goal to put the Uzbeks right back in the game. But wait a minute. VAR has intervened and it seems there was foul in the build up to that goal and the ref says no goal. Heartbreak for the UZB side.

Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan 31'

Post the hydration break, seems like POR have decided to sit back and let UZB have the ball. Uzbekistan are playing with great pace and tenacity but lacking the final killer edge.

Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan 35'

Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup! Watch out Messi, Haaland and Mbappe - the Portuguese superstar means business. A great pass from Bruno Fernandes finds the Al-Nassr forward who slots it with ease to make it 3-0 in Houston.

Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan 39'

You sense the floodgates would open for POR against UZB in Houston. Six minutes added on. The Uzbeks need a positive frame of mind and need some encouraging words at HT.

Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan 45+1'

Joao Cancelo comes maruading down the right flank and he crosses it for Cristiano Ronaldo who gets the little dinked finish in but it's brilliantly cleared off the line by Abdukodir Khusanov.

Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan 45+7'

It's half-time in Houston with Cristiano Ronaldo's two goals and three for Portugal grabbing the headlines in Houston.

Second half gets underway. More goals incoming.

Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan 46'

There seems to be no planning in the UZB camp with the players looking to press the POR which leaves spaces in behind. A good pass and the POR could open the Uzbekistan defence with ease.

Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan 50'

Understandably so, Portugal have not come out flying off the blocks in this half with the players knowing the result is well within their grasp.

Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan 55'

Portugal have fooled UZB in their set-pieces and they do once again with a low pass from Bruno Fernandes and it's Joao Felix who gets a flick on it but it's Man City defender Abdukodir Khusanov who turns it into his own goal.

Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan 60'

Too easy for Portugal with UZB now sitting deep in their half. This could get ugly if POR feel like. They're knocking it around with ease.

Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan 65'

Renato Veiga puts in a silly challenge on Aziz G'aniev to pick up a booking. The ref shows him the yellow card as we hit the hydration break.

Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan 69'

Changes each as Joao Neves and Joao Felix make way for Trincao and Bernardo Silva for Portugal.

Igor Sergeev replaces Abbosbek Fayzullaev for Uzbekistan.

Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan 76'

Portugal win a corner as Rafael Leao replaces Vitinha. The corner is cleared as UZB break on the counter but they cannot do more as the Selecao thwart the attack.

Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan 84'

Portugal have their fifth goal and it's Rafael Leao who scores after Uzbekistan defence go to sleep and Nelson Semedo pulls it back into space for the run of Leao off the left and the AC Milan man finishes off the move.

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan 87'

Five minutes left to play and end UZB's misery.

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan 90+1'

Full-time in Houston as Portugal hammer Uzbekistan 5-0 thanks to a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo who shouts 'I am back' at the cameras. They are three points for Portugal who will now head to the final game against Colombia with a lot of confidence.

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo made his 24th World Cup appearance; only Lionel Messi (28) and Lothar Matthaus (25) have made more, with Ronaldo levelling Miroslav Klose (also 24) and surpassing Paolo Maldini (23).