HOUSTON, TEXAS / MENA Newswire / – Portugal turned a clear ranking gap into a straightforward 5-0 win over Uzbekistan in FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K at Houston Stadium. Portugal entered the match ranked fifth by FIFA, while Uzbekistan stood 50th and was playing its first World Cup. The result moved Portugal to four points from two matches.
Ronaldo celebrates in Houston after ending his scoring drought against Uzbekistan. (Credit – WAM)
Portugal started fast and kept steady control after its opening draw with DR Congo. Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the sixth minute, ending a 10-match World Cup and European Championship scoring drought for Portugal. The goal came against the 50th-ranked team after a run of 33 shots, 11 on target, and no goals. João Cancelo created it with a low cross, and Ronaldo finished from close range.
Nuno Mendes doubled the lead in the 17th minute with a free kick. Ronaldo made it 3-0 in the 39th minute from inside the penalty area after a Bruno Fernandes pass. That second goal gave him a brace, but it also came in a match where Portugal held the advantage in quality, possession, and territory. Uzbekistan had a possible goal ruled out after a VAR review.
Portugal controls Group K match
Portugal added two more goals after halftime. Abduvohid Nematov was charged with an own goal in the 60th minute, and Rafael Leão scored in the 87th. Portugal finished with 17 shots and nine on target. Uzbekistan had seven shots and two on target. The match data reflected a game in which Portugal created the better chances and kept Uzbekistan under pressure.
Ronaldo attempted seven shots and scored twice, leaving five attempts without a goal. Across Portugal’s first two World Cup matches, he had 10 shots, five on target, zero completed dribbles, zero chances created, and 58 touches. Those figures gave context to the scoring return. The goals ended the drought, but they came during Portugal’s easiest match of the tournament so far.
Record comes with limits
The brace made Ronaldo the first player to score in six different World Cups. It also lifted him to only 10 World Cup goals in 24 appearances. Eusébio scored nine World Cup goals in six appearances for Portugal. Ronaldo moved ahead of him on the national World Cup list after a much larger match total. All 10 Ronaldo goals have come in the group stage.
Portugal strengthened its Group K position with its first win of the tournament. Uzbekistan remained without a point after losses to Colombia and Portugal in its debut World Cup campaign. The result showed Portugal’s depth and control more than a single player’s revival. It also left Ronaldo’s record split intact: six World Cups with a goal, 10 goals in 24 appearances, and none in the knockout rounds.
