2026 FIFA World Cup – Group K Results
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
Houston, United States: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments as Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in a dominant Group K performance on Tuesday.
The 41-year-old captain scored twice as Portugal bounced back from their opening 1-1 draw against DR Congo and moved to the brink of qualification for the Round of 32.
Ronaldo arrived at the tournament under pressure after failing to score in his previous 10 appearances at major international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.
His form had prompted debate among supporters and pundits, with some calling on Portugal coach Roberto Martinez to leave the veteran forward out of the starting lineup after he missed two good opportunities in the draw against DR Congo.
However, Martinez kept faith in his captain and Ronaldo responded with a historic performance before a crowd of 68,777 fans in Houston.
Portugal almost made the perfect start when Ronaldo narrowly missed connecting with a dangerous cross from Nuno Mendes in the third minute.
Three minutes later, history was made.
Joao Cancelo delivered a cross into the penalty area and Ronaldo reacted quickest, turning sharply before firing home from close range to become the first footballer ever to score in six different FIFA World Cup finals.
The Portuguese superstar celebrated with his trademark “Siu” celebration as teammates and supporters marked the historic achievement.
The goal was also Ronaldo’s 144th international goal in his 230th appearance for Portugal, extending both records in men’s international football.
Portugal doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Nuno Mendes curled a superb free-kick beyond goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov.
Uzbekistan thought they had pulled a goal back through Azizjon Ganiev, whose long-range strike found the net, but the effort was ruled out following a VAR review that identified a foul on Cancelo during the build-up.
Ronaldo struck again in the 39th minute after receiving a precise pass from Bruno Fernandes before calmly finishing past Nematov to make it 3-0.
The goal took Ronaldo’s World Cup tally to 10 goals, moving him ahead of Portuguese legend Eusebio’s nine and making him Portugal’s outright leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Portugal continued to dominate after halftime and Ronaldo came close to completing a hat-trick, only to be denied by Nematov.
Moments later, Portugal added a fourth goal when sustained pressure forced an own goal from the Uzbek goalkeeper after a corner kick.
Substitute Rafael Leao completed the rout in the 87th minute with a clinical finish to seal a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
The result moved Portugal onto four points in Group K and left them well placed to secure qualification when they face Colombia in their final group-stage match on Saturday.
For Uzbekistan, coached by 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, it was a second consecutive defeat following their 3-1 loss to Colombia, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the group without a point.
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