Portugal vs Uzbekistan: Ronaldo Brace Sinks Uzbekistan in 5-0 Demolition
Updated 23 June 2026.
Portugal vs Uzbekistan at World Cup 2026 finished 5-0, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice in the first half to become the only player in history to score at six different World Cups. Nuno Mendes added a free-kick, Abduvohid Nematov turned in an own goal, and Rafael Leao completed the rout late on at NRG Stadium in Houston.
| Match facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan |
| Competition | World Cup 2026, Group K |
| Venue | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Portugal scorers | Ronaldo 6′, 39′, Mendes 17′, Nematov OG 60′, Leao 87′ |
| Attendance | 68,777 |
| Referee | Jalal Jayed (Morocco) |
Portugal vs Uzbekistan World Cup 2026: how Ronaldo ended the drought
Ten major-tournament games without a goal ended after six minutes, Ronaldo turning in from close range, and he doubled his tally on 39 to put the result beyond doubt before half-time. Nuno Mendes curled in a free-kick on 17 to sandwich the second goal, Abduvohid Nematov turned a cross into his own net on 60, and Rafael Leao added a fifth in the 87th minute. Ronaldo’s brace makes him the first man to score in six separate World Cup editions, stretching from 2006 to 2026, a record no other player has come close to matching.
Uzbekistan, already beaten 3-1 by Colombia in their World Cup debut, had no answer once Ronaldo found his range. One yellow card was shown to each side in an otherwise one-sided afternoon that leaves Portugal’s own qualification back on track after their opening draw with DR Congo.
What it means for Group K
Portugal move to four points, level on points terms behind Colombia, who beat DR Congo on the same day to reach six and confirm their place in the Round of 32. Uzbekistan are eliminated on zero points after two games. ESPN’s match report covered Ronaldo’s record in detail. Track the full picture on our group standings tracker and the live standings page.
What is next
Portugal face Colombia in the final round needing only to avoid a heavy defeat to be sure of qualification, with kick-offs on our fixtures page and goals live on live scores. Revisit Portugal’s opener in our Portugal vs DR Congo report and Uzbekistan’s in our Uzbekistan vs Colombia report, and see the full schedule in our complete World Cup 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Portugal vs Uzbekistan?
Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in their World Cup 2026 Group K match on 23 June at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo score against Uzbekistan?
Yes. Ronaldo scored twice, in the 6th and 39th minutes, becoming the first player to score at six different World Cups.
Has Uzbekistan been eliminated from the World Cup?
Yes. The 5-0 defeat left Uzbekistan on zero points from two games in Group K, with no way back into Round of 32 contention.
Sources: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K, ESPN match report and the FIFA match centre.
