Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will have a chance to respond to the criticism that followed a drab start to their World Cup campaign as they take on Uzbekistan in Houston.
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. Now 41, the forward looks set to keep his starting spot for this game as Portugal attempt to find the fluency they lacked in their last outing – and get the best out of a dynamic group of creative midfield talents.
Their second Group K foes are tournament debutants Uzbekistan, managed by 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro. The Asian nation showed resilience in their opening fixture against Colombia, though eventually slipped to a 3-1 defeat and know they may face another tough encounter with a side tipped by some to go deep in the competition.
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 ITV with kick off at 6pm BST
- Drab draw with DR Congo led to criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
- Record-scorer Ronaldo keeps starting spot in second group fixture
- World Cup debutants Uzbekistan were beaten by Colombia in opening outing
- Portugual XI: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Felix; Ronaldo
- Uzbekistan XI: Nematov; Khusanov, Abudallaev, Ashurmatov, Karimov, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullaev, Ganiev; Shomurodov
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.
