Portugal vs Uzbekistan 5-0: World Cup 2026 – as it happened

That’s it for our live coverage of Portugal’s 5-0 mauling of Uzbekistan – thanks for joining us.

Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics as he scored two goals, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups and surpassing Eusebio as Portugal’s all-time top World Cup goal scorer.

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Click here to join the coverage as both sides look to go two from two.

Roberto Martinez said he was “very pleased” with the result of today’s match.

“This was the response we had in the dressing room,” Portugal’s manager said after the win.

“There are times when you need a game like the first one in order to grow in the tournament. Today we saw a team with the same attitude and commitment, but with greater maturity because it was no longer the opening match.”

“I’m very happy. But for me, the most important thing is our work and the confidence we showed,” Ronaldo told reporters after the match.

“The team performed really well and improved a lot. As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining.”

He added: “Obviously, speaking personally, records are always nice, but my goal is always to help the national team achieve its objectives.”

No sooner has the match ended than Ronaldo has taken to social media, saying: “We are here!”

ESTAMOS AQUI! pic.twitter.com/wpGspFRQn1

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 23, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns and silenced his critics as the Portugal captain struck twice in a 5-0 annihilation of Uzbekistan.

The big win in Houston on Tuesday put Portugal on the brink of the knockout rounds and was a resounding response to the 41-year-old’s doubters.

Ronaldo’s goal after six minutes made history – trumping even Lionel Messi – by scoring at six World Cups stretching back to 2006.

Read the full match report on Portugal v Uzbekistan here.

The excitement of the World Cup has arrived in North America. But behind it have been stories of fans being denied visas, players being searched by sniffer dogs, and Iran’s team being forced to base itself outside the US.

What happens when a global tournament collides with US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies?

The latest episode of our podcast The Take explores the answers.

Listen to The Take: Can football’s biggest stage stay global as visa denials and border restrictions mount?

3 - There are three players who hold the unique distinction of being both the youngest and oldest scorer for their country at the men's FIFA World Cup:

Michael Laudrup (Denmark)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
🆕Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Stalwarts. pic.twitter.com/dajRGtAW8w

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2026

3 - There are three players who hold the unique distinction of being both the youngest and oldest scorer for their country at the men's FIFA World Cup:

Michael Laudrup (Denmark)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
🆕Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Stalwarts. pic.twitter.com/dajRGtAW8w

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo: The first man to score at six #FIFAWorldCup tournaments pic.twitter.com/i6IxCcXl8o

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 23, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo (10) has now scored more goals at FIFA World Cups than any other Portugal player, overtaking Eusébio (9). pic.twitter.com/piRhnblyNF

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 23, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at six World Cups and became Portugal’s leading scorer in the tournament as Portugal found their stride in Group K.

Ronaldo fired home a Joao Cancelo cross at the near post on six minutes and, after leaving a free kick for Nuno Mendes to stroke home the second, then strode onto a pass from Bruno Fernandes to apply an angled finish and overtake Eusebio as his nation’s leading World Cup goalscorer.

Uzbekistan saw a fine G’aniev goal chalked off after a VAR review for a foul in the build-up before the break, before Khusanov deflected a Joao Felix flick past Nematov after the turnaround for the fourth, and Rafa Leao thumped the late fifth.

Ronaldo was denied a hat-trick by a goalline clearance from Khusanov, and another shot was saved by the keeper, but he follows Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in scoring a double in the past 24 hours.

So close to a sixth as Trincao meets a cut-back from the left, but his first-time shot across goal flies inches past the post.

90+3 mins: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Five minutes of added time for Portugal to seek a sixth goal.

90+1 min: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Rafa Leao has added Portugal’s fifth moments after coming on, firing into the top corner from Nelson Semedo’s cut-back.

Ronaldo made a run to the near post to meet the ball in from the right but it went behind him and dropped for Leao to curl a powerful strike inside the angle of the left post and bar.

87 mins: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Rafa Leao’s first involvement is to dart into the box on the left, but his touch is too heavy, and allows a defender to clear.

Bruno Fernandes then sees a 20-yard strike pushed away, low to his right by Nematov.

84 mins: Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan

Rafael Leao is coming on for the final stages, replacing Vitinha for Portugal.

83 mins: Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan

Two chances for Ronaldo’s third.

The first sees him peel away from the near post to meet a cut-back with his left-foot, only to see his shot deflected past the upright before he closes down keeper Nematov and then brings the loose ball under his spell before seeing a half-volley pushed away by the keeper diving to his right.

73 mins: Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan

Bernardo Silva is on for the final stages, replacing Joao Neves.

Shomurodov sees a rare glimpse of goal for Uzbekistan, but his half-volley fizzed over the bar from the right of the box.

77 mins: Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan

Ronaldo has twice come close to a hat-trick, firstly seeing a near-post effort with his left foot deflected wide before bringing a bouncing ball under his spell in the box, only to see his half-volley pushed away by keeper Nematov.

73 mins: Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan