Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a Group K match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup here on Tuesday.
In their opening matches, Portugal was held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo after struggling to create scoring opportunities, while Uzbekistan suffered a 3-1 defeat to Colombia.
Portugal showed a more aggressive approach than in its previous outing, and Ronaldo squandered an early opportunity in the fourth minute.
Just two minutes later, the veteran forward found another opportunity inside the box and fired a powerful shot into the net to give Portugal the lead.
Nuno Mendes added a second goal in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a free-kick opportunity to hand Portugal the 2-0 lead.
Uzbekistan stepped up its attacking efforts and found the net in the 27th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed after VAR ruled that Abbosbek Fayzullaev had fouled an opponent in the build-up.
Portugal capitalized on a counterattack in the 39th minute, with Ronaldo firing Bruno Fernandes' pass into the far corner to score his second goal and extend the lead to 3-0.
The Portuguese side continued to press forward in the second half and made it 4-0 in the 60th minute when Fernandes' corner resulted in an own goal. Rafael Leao completed the rout by scoring Portugal's fifth goal.
The victory moved Portugal to the top of Group K with four points from two matches, while Uzbekistan remained bottom of the standings after suffering its second consecutive defeat. The other Group K match between DR Congo and Colombia will be played later on Tuesday.
Abduvohid Nematov (down), goalkeeper of Uzbekistan, makes a save during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front) of Portugal falls during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Rapper Travis Scott (L) is seen after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is seen after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal shoots during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Diogo Costa (up L), goalkeeper of Portugal, makes a save during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Abduvohid Nematov (down), goalkeeper of Uzbekistan, scores an own goal during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Portugal greets the spectators after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal greets the spectators after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front R) of Portugal hugs his teammate Bruno Fernandes after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Cristiano Ronaldo (3rd L) of Portugal greets Eldor Shomurodov (2nd L) of Uzbekistan after the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Rafael Leao (R) of Portugal celebrates scoring during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Vitinha of Portugal applauds during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal falls during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Abduvohid Nematov (down, 2nd R), goalkeeper of Uzbekistan, scores an own goal during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Players of Portugal celebrate scoring during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) of Portugal reacts during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front C) of Portugal celebrates with teammates during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front L) and Joao Felix (front R) of Portugal compete against Behruzjon Karimov (down) of Uzbekistan during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Ruben Dias (front) of Portugal competes with Eldor Shomurodov of Uzbekistan during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Eldor Shomurodov of Uzbekistan reacts during during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Players of Portugal celebrate scoring during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Diogo Costa (2nd L), goalkeeper of Portugal, makes a save during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front L) and Joao Felix (front R) of Portugal compete against Behruzjon Karimov (down) of Uzbekistan during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Players of Portugal celebrate scoring during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) of Portugal shoots during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Abduvohid Nematov (front R) of Uzbekistan fails to save the ball during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Abduvohid Nematov (C), goalkeeper of Uzbekistan, makes a save during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Roberto Martinez, head coach of Portugal, reacts during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Players of Portugal celebrate scoring during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Cristiano Ronaldo (1st R) of Portugal celebrates with teammates during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (down) of Portugal falls during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Otabek Shukurov (R) of Uzbekistan falls during the group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
