Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo have emphatically responded the criticism that followed a drab start to their World Cup campaign as smashed in a brace in a romping of Uzbekistan.
A 1-1 draw with DR Congo was a lacklustre opener for Roberto Martinez’s side, and led to renewed scrutiny over the role of record scorer Ronaldo.
But after keeping his starting spot for the second Group K outing, the 41-year-old issued his own reply to record-breaker Lionel Messi by writing himself into history, becoming the first player to score in six editions of the World Cup.
He then played a part in Portugal’s second, doing a dummy run over a free-kick which Nuno Mendes subsequently fired home, before slotting home again late in the first half to put himself on a hat-trick.
Tournament debutants Uzbekistan, managed by 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, did have a goal chalked off by VAR before the interval but saw their woes compounded by a Abdukodir Khusanov own goal on the hour mark.
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
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Portugal vs Uzbekistan LIVE
- Portugal take on Uzbekistan in Group K in Houston | Live on ITV1
- Drab draw with DR Congo led to criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
- 60' OWN GOAL! Khusanov knocks into his own net from messy corner [POR 4-0 UZB]
- 39' GOAL! Ronaldo slots home to double his own tally [POR 3-0 UZB]
- 17' GOAL! Mendes drills home free kick after Ronaldo decoy [POR 2-0 UZB]
- 6' GOAL! Ronaldo responds to critics with early opener [POR 1-0 UZB]
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:40 , Alan Smith76’ - Silva enters for Neves. Just before that Ronaldo attempt Uzbekistan introduced Sergeev for Fayzullaev.
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:38 , Alan Smith74’ - Ronaldo goes close again. He blocks down Nemetov’s naive kick out from the back but the goalkeeper redeems himself by making a solid save.
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:37 , Alan Smith73’ - Ronaldo has another shot blocked, this one a first-time prod having got on the end of a Mendes centre.
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:36 , Alan Smith72’ - Back underway. Will we see Portugal pile on more pain?
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:33 , Alan Smith69’ - Hydration break time. The crowd have tuned out so much that few bother with the now customary jeers.
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:32 , Alan Smith68’ - Veiga is booked for a rash use of his forearm on the face of Ganiev.
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:30 , Alan Smith65’ - Portugal are eager for a few more. And there should be some more for them to score.
Ronaldo is lingering in the box, awaiting his next opportunity, while Conceicao is becoming more prominent down the right.
Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan
19:27 , Alan Smith63’ - Austin McPhee, the Aston Villa set-piece coach who doubles up in the same role for Portugal, has played a blinder with some of the moves tonight.
Another Portugal change see Trincao arrive in place of Felix.
GOAL! Portugal 4-0 Uzbekistan (Khusanov own goal, 60)
19:24 , Alan Smith60’ - This is a mess from Uzbekistan. The corner is taken short. Ronaldo, Felix and Dias all appear to get minor flicks on it but the decisive touch comes off Khusanov and it will be given as an own goal.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
19:23 , Alan Smith58’ - ... but no he’s dummied over it, charges forward to receive a surprise dink from Fernandes and he fires goalwards only for Nematov to rush off his line and make a committed to challenge to deny the hat-trick.
Ronaldo is down, rolling around dramatically. But it will not be a penalty, just a corner.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
19:21 , Alan Smith57’ - Ronaldo wins a free kick from not far off 40 yards, certainly more than 35. It looks like he will definitely betaking this one...
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
19:20 , Alan Smith54’ - Shukurov scuttles a left-footed shot wide via a deflection and Uzbekistan have a corner which they dither over, spurning a decent opportunity to apply some pressure. Portugal break.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
19:16 , Alan Smith51’ - Fayzullaev has a pot shot that goes straight down Costa’s throat.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
19:15 , Alan Smith50’ - This has rapidly taken on the distinct feel of a friendly. Which may suit Uzbekistan well since their priority must be to avoid this becoming a total rout.
Though as I finish typing that Nematov errs with the ball at his feet and Ronaldo is a whisker away from stealing it. If he had he would have had an open goal to complete his hat-trick.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
19:11 , Alan Smith47’ - Felix, who has been good, smashes narrowly over with his right boot from about 22 yards. It looks like more of the same from Portugal.
Restarted! Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
19:10 , Alan Smith46’ - We’re back underway
Double substitutions for both sides at the break.
Cancelo and Neto are off for Portugal, Semedo and Conceicao are on.
Uzbekistan have removed Khamrobekov and Nasrullaev, introducing Alizhonov and Mozgovoy.
Feed him and he will score
19:04 , Alan SmithFox Sports’ big two have had their say on Portugal and Ronaldo.
Ibrahimovic: "All the stars have presented themselves, they have to continue and produce, a better team performance from Portugal."
Henry: "Run, crosses, a bit more urgency when they pass the ball, if they feed him, he will score, that's for sure."
Why doubt him?
18:58 , Alan SmithRoy Keane, on ITV, says: “Why would you ever doubt him? This guy is amazing. No doubt he’d turn up today. There was still relief for him there, when you see how much he cares about the game.”
Why Ganiev strike was ruled out
18:52 , Alan SmithMark Clattenburg, on US TV, has had his say on Uzbekistan’s goal being ruled out: "The one with Messi, there were a lot of things that could happen, this strike, it's on the edge of the area, and it was a great strike, but it's a foul, it's a clear foul, it's just before the goal and Portugal don't have time to reset."
Half-time! Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
18:52 , Alan Smith51’ - Ronaldo almost has his hat-trick! Cancelo fizzes a pass in from the right and, under pressure from Nematov, Ronaldo tries to lift it over him... but it is cleared off the line.
And that is the final act of a brilliant first half for Portugal.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
18:50 , Alan Smith49’ - The dream for Fifa’s money men of a quarter-final between Ronaldo and Messi is back on with this result, of course.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
18:48 , Alan Smith48’ - Portugal pass it about, content with their lot as we near the interval.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
18:46 , Alan Smith45’ - There will be six added minutes.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
18:45 , Alan Smith45’ - Here’s a sight to behold: Ronaldo has pressed Nematov with a reasonable amount of intensity. While leading 3-0.
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
18:45 , Alan Smith44’ - Uzbekistan’s threat of a fightback has completely collapsed since the third. And the question now - already - is simply how many will Portugal win by?
A top combination
18:42 , Lawrence Ostlere in HoustonThere are probably not many better combinations in the world for that exact scenario: Bruno playing the perfectly weighted through pass, Ronaldo with the one-touch finish in the box. Portugal are showing why they can be really dangerous when it clicks.
GOAL! Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan (Ronaldo, 39)
18:40 , Alan SmithOh dear, Uzbekistan. The star man finishes off well but it’s a criminal way to defend from the AFC side. Felix wins the ball deep in his half, setting Fernandes away to charge down the middle without no one around him. From there he feeds Ronaldo’s overlap down the right and the big man fires across Nematov’s goal and into the bottom far corner. Again the stadium and too many children around the world watching on TV collectively scream “Siuuuuu”
Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
18:37 , Alan Smith37’ - Ronaldo is down and complaining after a 50-50 collision with Ashurmatov. He wants a foul that is not given and is eventually told to get up.
Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
18:34 , Alan Smith34’ - Uzbekistan are looking a bit more eager to push on now. And Portugal can be got at - the DR Congo draw proved that.
Unhinged Portugal
18:32 , Lawrence Ostlere in HoustonUnhinged defending from Portugal, who had plenty of opportunity to pass the ball back to Diogo Costa in goal but tried to play their way out of trouble. They're lucky to get away with it.
Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
18:31 , Alan Smith29’ - Uzbekistan think they have scored... Ganiev sends a piledriver into the top left corner from about 22 yards. But, hold on, Cancelo is fuming, insisting that he was fouled in the build-up by Fayzullaev.
He was. The VAR takes a look and no goal is given. It’s unfortunate for Uzbekistan but the right call. Cannavaro, arms folded, smiles and shakes his head.
The hydration break momentum switch happens again though.
Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
18:28 , Alan Smith28’ - Uzbekistan have at least put together a string of passes in the Portugal half - something that did not happen in the first quarter. They cannot progress into shooting territory but it is better than what has gone before.
Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
18:26 , Alan Smith26’ - We’re back underway. Portugal will be hoping momentum doesn’t shift. To make the match interesting, we could badly do with one.
Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
18:23 , Alan Smith23’ - Fernandes sends in a free kick from the left that causes yet more consternation for Cannavaro’s side.
It is eventually cleared and that leads to the hydration break. The resepective team talks that are about to take place will hardly be more different.
Ronaldo's aura gets an assist
18:21 , Lawrence Ostlere in HoustonRonaldo's sheer existence was enough to trick Uzbekistan there. His aura gets an assist.
Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
18:21 , Alan Smith20’ - Cannavaro looks rather dismayed on the touchline, watching his team being picked apart so easily. Their identity is built on being defensively solid. So far here they have been anything but.
Mendes continues to cause havoc, bringing a foul out of Karimov.
GOAL! Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan (Mendes 17)
18:17 , Alan SmithAfter a daft delay where the referee is trying to sort out the walls - both teams have formed one - Mendes takes the free kick instead with Ronaldo fooling everyone as a decoy and it sails into the bottom left corner. That is very, very smart and Portugal could be about to put up a cricket score.
Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan
18:15 , Alan Smith13’ - This has been a big struggle for Uzbekistan so far.
Khamrobekov chops Neto down just outside the box, earning himself a yellow card and gifting Portugal a free kick in a spot half their team will feel confident of scoring from.
Third time lucky
18:12 , Lawrence Ostlere in HoustonRonaldo has entered the chat. Portugal sent a couple of really good balls into the box which he wasn't quite in the right place for, but third time lucky. He is almost useless when his team don't have the ball, and he doesn't add a huge amount when they do. But Ronaldo is still one of the best strikers in the world around the six-yard box.
Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan
18:10 , Alan Smith10’ - Ronaldo has become the first player in history to score at six World Cups.
Although his record remains nine in total.
Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan
18:09 , Alan Smith8’ - Watching a replay back Ronaldo does really well to get in front of Abudallaev before meeting Cancelo’s ball. No, he does not need to sprint, and this is very much a poacher’s finish - but it is an undeniably really good goal.
GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan (Ronaldo, 6)
18:07 , Alan SmithThis time he does not need to sprint - meeting a perfect cross from the right to put Portugal in front. And the whole stadium bar a small portion of Uzbekistan fans scream “Siuuuuu.”
Portugal 0-0 Uzbekistan
18:06 , Alan Smith4’ - A big miss from Ronaldo. Mendes puts it on a platter for the star man with a delicious delivery from the left. Except Ronaldo just cannot run with the pace of old to meet the ball for what would have been a close-range tap in. He’d have put that away nine times out of 10 at his peak.
Ronaldo attraction
18:04 , Lawrence OstlereA sign of the power of Ronaldo's celebrity: as the seconds counted down to kick-off, Uzbekistan's Aziz Ganiev took his chance, reaching out over the halfway line to embrace the great man, and he got a hug in return. Roy Keane would be seething.
Portugal 0-0 Uzbekistan
18:03 , Alan Smith2’ - Uzbekistan, in a deep 5-4-1, are setting out their stall immediately. They will let Portugal have it and hope to frustrate while waiting to use any sporadic window to counter.
Fernandes, close to the penalty spot, sends the first shot of the match over via a deflection. Portugal have a corner that is taken short and amounts to nought.
Kick-off! Portugal 0-0 Uzbekistan
18:00 , Alan Smith1’ - We’re underway. Uzbekistan, in all white, kick off playing from left to right as we watch. Portugal are in all red.
Temperature watch
17:59 , Alan SmithIt’s 41c outside the stadium in Houston right now but thanks to air conditioning an optimal 21c inside.
Kick-off approaching
17:54 , Alan SmithThe teams are out, the anthems are underway. And we’re close to seeing Ronaldo’s response to all the other big names banging ‘em in.
Ronaldo limbers up
17:47 , Alan Smith
Uzbekistan's leading man
17:44 , Alan SmithTheir record goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov scored the same number of goals - five - as Ronaldo in qualifying.
Is there a problem with the 2026 World Cup ball? Why goalkeepers are struggling with the Trionda
17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s been a relatively high scoring start to this World Cup, perhaps to be expected after the tournament’s expansion. Could the ball also be to blame? A few goalkeepers have struggled to deal with shots they might ordinarily save – Will Castle examines the evidence.
Is there a problem with the World Cup ball? Why goalkeepers are struggling
Can Abdukodir Khusanov keep Portugal at bay?
17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleAfter a slightly shaky start – perhaps to be expected from a young defender thrust into a high-profile role and side – Abdukodir Khusanov emerged as one of Manchester City’s more consistent performers last season, featuring in 21 Premier League games. There is plenty of experience around him in this Uzbekistan side, though you’d imagine he’ll be key to combatting the diverse and (mostly) dynamic front six selected by Portugal.
Francisco Conceicao says Portugal's youngsters must match Cristiano Ronaldo's 'hunger'
17:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleJuventus winger Francisco Conceicao believes Portugal’s next generation have a duty to exceed the “hunger” of 41-year-old team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup.
Portugal played out a disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their tournament opener, and will hope to display marked signs of improvement when they take on Uzbekistan in a short while.
.The 23-year-old was not even born when Ronaldo made his first-team debut at Sporting Lisbon in August 2022, and said he is not alone in looking up to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for inspiration.
“He’s an example, through his career, through the hunger he demonstrates every day, super motivated to train as if it were his last,” said Conceicao, speaking at a press conference and quoted in Portuguese outlet Record
.“If he’s achieved so much and continues with such hunger, ours has to be even greater. He’s another one who’s here to help; we need everyone for the team to function.”
Ronaldo on a mission
17:20 , Lawrence Ostlere in HoustonHello from Houston, where it has been a baking hot morning. Portugal fans have been streaming inside this metal lump that is the NRG Stadium and you might not be too surprised to hear that almost every single shirt bears the No 7. Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes were the only other names spotted on fans' backs. Their man starts again here, and he does so in an air-conditioned stadium with hydration breaks – perfect for a 41-year-old on a mission.
Could Group K get interesting?
17:10 , Harry Latham-CoylePortugal are strong favourites to win this afternoon, but Group K would be fascinating if they don’t. Colombia, who top the group after their opening win, take on DR Congo later in another intriguing clash and then face Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in the final group game – which could leave plenty on the line if Portugal fail to take a full complement of points here.
World Cup 2026 fixtures, results and group tables
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defends team and Cristiano Ronaldo from ‘unfair and unjust’ criticism
17:00 , Harry Latham-CoylePortugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his team from what he described as “unfair and unjust” criticism after the squad, most notably superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, laboured in a poor opening to their World Cup campaign.
Portugal coach Martinez defends team and Ronaldo from ‘unfair and unjust’ criticism
The central character arrives
16:58 , Alan SmithRonaldo: ready to silence the doubters?
Uzbekistan XI - Khusanov leads defence
16:56 , Alan SmithNematov; Khusanov, Abudallaev, Ashurmatov, Karimov, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullaev, Ganiev; Shomurodov.
Portugal XI - Ronaldo starts
16:48 , Alan SmithDiogo Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Felix; Ronaldo
Team news on the way...
16:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, we should have teams for you from Houston very shortly. Will Ruben Dias be fit to play a part for Portugal?
World Cup-winning knowhow
16:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleFabio Cannavaro left Real Madrid just before Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in the summer of 2009, though the Uzbekistan boss boasts the World Cup-winning knowhow of 2006 having led Italy to the trophy 20 years ago. Can his side spring a shock?
“As I have always said, we have nothing to lose,” the former centre-half told reporters ahead of today’s Group K game. “Portugal always like to control the game. They will start in a very good way, they want to play fast. We will be prepared for that.
“We have our strategy. I know we are going to face a very good team. We will try to do our best, stay in the game until the end. “I asked my team to play with more fighting spirit than against Colombia, but we cannot just run around stupidly everywhere.”
How Uzbekistan began
16:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleUzbekistan have slipped a little under the radar ahead of this game as they continue their debut World Cup campaign. There was a lot to like about their showing against Colombia, though it ended in a 3-1 defeat.
Luis Diaz ignites Colombia to victory over Uzbekistan at electric Azteca
Ruben Dias defends Cristiano Ronaldo as he hits back at Portugal’s World Cup critics
16:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Portugal squad are shutting out the noise surrounding their veteran striker as they search for an improved performance this afternoon in Houston.
Ruben Dias defends Cristiano Ronaldo as he hits back at Portugal’s World Cup critics
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleCristiano Ronaldo’s performance in the opener stood in stark contrast to that of his great rival Lionel Messi, who added two more goals last night. Miguel Delaney writes on a debate that was never really one at all:
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
Thierry Henry perfectly explains what Cristiano Ronaldo did wrong in Portugal’s World Cup draw with DR Congo
15:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThierry Henry knows a thing or two about striker play, and was not best impressed with Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance against DR Congo.
Henry perfectly explains what Ronaldo did wrong in Portugal World Cup draw with Congo
10 men and a statue: Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
15:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome of the strongest criticism came from our very own Richard Jolly – are Portugal really going to continue to play a figure who seems to inhibit them?
Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
‘That is embarrassing’: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal boss slammed after big World Cup call
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleYes, it was a pretty worrying start to the tournament for Portugal, with some strong criticism of manager Martinez and how he is handling the presence of his country’s record-scorer.
‘That is embarrassing’: Ronaldo’s Portugal manager slammed after big World Cup call
Portugal vs Uzbekistan LIVE
12:29 , Harry Latham-CoylePortugal face a must-win clash with Uzbekistan as they look to bounce back from a disappointing start to their World Cup campaign. A 1-1 draw with DR Congo heightened the scrutiny on Roberto Martinez, his side and Cristiano Ronaldo particularly – will it be another afternoon of toil or is a more fluent performance to come?
Kick off in Houston is at 6pm BST.
