World Cup
FIFA World
Cup 2026
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Cristiano Ronaldo has opened his 2026 World Cup account, scoring twice as Portugal opened up a 3-0 lead against Uzbekistan.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a close-range finish to become the first man to score at six World Cups. He then added his second shortly before half-time with another composed finish.
Nuno Mendes had made it 2-0 when he smashed in a free kick that everyone — including goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov — thought Ronaldo was about to take.
Portugal scored their fourth in the second half when Abdukodir Khusanov turned the ball into his own net.
83’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
Rafael Leao is on in place of Vintinha, who has done plenty of running today.
80’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
Portugal are doing all they can to find a fifth goal but the tempo has dropped somewhat in this one.
75’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
"All of the GOATS have come to be party," says ITV commentator Sam Matterface. GOATS? Plural? Is that possible? There can only be one 'greatest of all time', can't there? Yes, I am being pedantic. Sorry. Not sorry.
75’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
That was the moment, surely!
Ronaldo wins the ball back in the box, the ball sits up nicely and his left-footed effort is saved by Nematov.
73’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
That was not far away from Ronaldo, who is fed by Semedo and tries to whip a shot around the corner but it goes behind.
71’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
A quick pause in the action as Portugal continue to dominate Uzbekistan. It’s also a good moment to look back at Portugal’s World Cup story: their biggest group-stage win remains that unforgettable 7-0 victory over North Korea in 2010. Ronaldo was part of that historic night in South Africa, scoring one of the goals.
68’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
Time for both sets of players to regroup…
68’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
Ronaldo has taken a blow. Nuno Mendes has taken a blow. Vintinha, Joao Neves and Bruno spared so far. But surely Martinez has to get some of his key players off the field now.
68’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
Ronaldo is doing all he can to get his hat-trick here, as he races forward to try and get on the end of a Fernandes free kick.
Whether he gets a third before being taken off — and at a certain point you think that will need to happen — remains to be seen.
65’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
Some of the creativity from Portugal’s set pieces have been excellent. The real star of the show in the Portuguese squad? Set-piece coach Austin McPhee.
64’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
Off goes Joao Felix and Francisco Trincao is on to replace him.
61’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
How, indeed.
Ronaldo was in the mix at the near post, Felix got a flick but it came off Khusanov last and will go down as an own goal.
Not clean, but they will take it.
61’ Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
It's carnage in the box from the corner and Joao Felix gets the last Portugal touch on a bundle at the near post before the ball squirmed over the line.
A fourth goal for Portugal!
60’ Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
That was an incredible set-piece decoy run from Ronaldo.
He ran through the wall rather than taking the free kick, Fernandes clipped it over the top and Ronaldo very nearly won a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
He was down after colliding with Nematov but it back on his feet now and Portugal have a corner.
58’ Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
Let's see what they have up their sleeve for this one as Ronaldo stands over it — it's a very long way out…
55’ Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
That wasn't too far away from Shukurov!
He gets a shot away at the top of the box and it clips off a Portugal leg on the way out behind for a corner.
54’ Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
The game has gone a bit flat since half-time. Not great for viewers but perfect for Portugal.
If it slows down, they can manage the game and conserve energy for that big game at the weekend.
52’ Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
Ronaldo races through and pressurises he goalkeeper into a mistake at the back but Nematov is able to skew the ball out for a throw in.
The Uzbekistan defenders fail to clear their lines and Portugal nearly regain possession in the box — Cannevaro's side need to be sharper there.
48’ Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
That is not far away from Joao Felix!
He finds a bit of space about 30 yards out, swivels and hits a shot but there is not quite enough dip on it to bring it under the bar.
A decent effort.
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UZB
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