Ronaldo Brace Sends Portugal Top of Group K with Five-Goal Rout

Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5–0 at Houston Stadium to record their first win at the 2026 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo steered João Cancelo's low cross beyond Abduvohid Nematov on six minutes, Nuno Mendes curled in a clever free-kick on 17 minutes after Ronaldo acted as a decoy, and Ronaldo struck again on 39 minutes from Bruno Fernandes' through ball to reach 10 career World Cup goals and become Portugal's outright leading scorer at the finals.

Ronaldo was named Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match as Roberto Martínez's side finished with 66% possession, 17 shots and nine on target to Uzbekistan's seven and two in front of 68,777 fans. Azizjon Ganiev had a stunning long-range effort ruled out by VAR for a foul on Cancelo before Abduvohid Nematov turned a corner into his own net on 60 minutes and substitute Rafael Leão lashed in a fifth on 87 minutes. Odildzhon Khamrobekov and Renato Veiga were booked.

Portugal move top of Group K on four points and will qualify for the last 32 with a point against Colombia in Miami on 27 June. Uzbekistan remain without a point after two defeats and must beat DR Congo heavily on the final matchday while hoping other results go their way to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.