Portugal vs Uzbekistan Prediction: Can Ronaldo End the Drought?
Preview, published 23 June 2026. Kick-off 1pm ET, NRG Stadium, Houston.
Update: Portugal won 5-0, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice to become the only player to score at six different World Cups. Read the full match report.
Portugal vs Uzbekistan is a Group K game Portugal must win, and our prediction is a 3-0 Portugal victory, the pressure finally easing on Cristiano Ronaldo against a side already beaten by Colombia. Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo in their opener and need a response, while Uzbekistan know a heavy defeat all but ends their hopes of a first-ever World Cup point.
| Match facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Portugal vs Uzbekistan, World Cup 2026 Group K |
| Kick-off | 1pm ET, 23 June |
| Venue | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Group K so far | Colombia 3, Portugal 1, DR Congo 1, Uzbekistan 0 |
| Our prediction | Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan |
What is at stake in Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Portugal need this one. A draw against DR Congo left them third in Group K, and a repeat result against a winless Uzbekistan side would leave qualification hanging by a thread heading into the final round. Uzbekistan, beaten 3-1 by Colombia on their World Cup debut, are already up against it and need at least a point to keep their own slim hopes alive.
Players to watch
All eyes are on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has now gone ten major-tournament appearances without a goal and was anonymous against DR Congo, though he remains Portugal’s starting striker and penalty taker. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Neves give Portugal plenty of creative quality around him. Uzbekistan’s hopes rest on Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov standing firm, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev their likeliest source of a goal at the other end.
Our Portugal vs Uzbekistan prediction
Portugal’s overall quality should tell against a side already well beaten once in this tournament, and the Opta supercomputer rates them clear favourites. The bigger question is whether Ronaldo ends his drought. We predict a comfortable 3-0 Portugal win, with the goals more likely to come from Fernandes and Neves than the captain himself.
What is next
Both sides face the final round of Group K next, with qualification still to be settled. See the day’s other games in our June 23 preview, revisit Portugal’s opener in our Portugal vs DR Congo report and Uzbekistan’s in our Uzbekistan vs Colombia report, and check the format in our complete World Cup 2026 guide. Read the full match report for how it played out. See the official schedule at the FIFA match centre.
Frequently asked questions
What is the prediction for Portugal vs Uzbekistan?
Our prediction is a 3-0 Portugal win. Their squad depth should be too much for a winless Uzbekistan side in World Cup 2026 Group K.
When and where is Portugal vs Uzbekistan?
Portugal vs Uzbekistan kicks off at 1pm ET on 23 June 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston, in World Cup 2026 Group K.
Has Cristiano Ronaldo scored at World Cup 2026?
Not yet. Ronaldo was held without a goal in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo and has now gone ten major-tournament appearances without scoring.
Sources: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K and the FIFA match centre.
