Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to rewrite Portuguese World Cup history as Portugal produced their most complete performance of the tournament with a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Houston. The result moved Roberto Martínez’s side to four points in Group K, left them firmly on course for the knockout stages and eliminated Uzbekistan after a second successive defeat.Portugal arrived under pressure after a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match, a performance that prompted criticism of both the team and Cristiano Ronaldo. With Colombia having already beaten Uzbekistan 3-1, another slip-up would have left Portugal facing a difficult qualification scenario heading into the final group match.Instead, they responded with authority.
Ronaldo strikes early as Portugal seize control
Portugal needed only six minutes to take the lead through the man who continues to redefine longevity in international football.João Cancelo drove forward from the right flank before whipping a dangerous low cross into the six-yard area. Ronaldo drifted away from his marker with the instinctive movement that has characterised his entire career and produced a delicate flick that guided the ball beyond goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov and into the net.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The finish did more than give Portugal an early advantage. It made Ronaldo the first player in football history to score in six consecutive FIFA World Cups, spanning tournaments in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026, while also marking his 24th World Cup appearance for Portugal.Portugal doubled their lead ten minutes later through a brilliantly executed set-piece routine.
Portugal’s Renato Veiga (13) and Portugal’s Ruben Dias (3) argue about placement of a penalty kick during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area, Ronaldo stood over the ball in his trademark stance, drawing the attention of both the defensive wall and goalkeeper. As anticipation built around a direct attempt, Ronaldo instead sprinted over the ball without touching it. The deception completely unsettled the defence and created the opening for Nuno Mendes, who curled a superb low left-footed effort around the wall and into the bottom corner.
Portugal’s Nuno Mendes, right, celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
VAR denies Uzbekistan before Ronaldo makes more history
Uzbekistan briefly thought they had found a route back into the match midway through the first half.Abbosbek Fayzullaev dispossessed João Cancelo before the ball eventually broke for Azizjon Ganiev, who rifled a finish into the top corner. Celebrations, however, were cut short following a lengthy VAR review.
Uzbekistan’s Azizjon Ganiev celebrates after scoring a goal later disallowed during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Officials determined that Fayzullaev had fouled Cancelo in the build-up, with the challenge occurring immediately before the scoring move. The goal was overturned and Portugal’s two-goal advantage remained intact.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) and Portugal’s Joao Cancelo (20) argue about a goal by Uzbekistan’s Azizjon Ganiev that was later disallowed during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
The decision proved even more costly for Uzbekistan ten minutes before the interval.Bruno Fernandes collected possession in midfield and threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the defensive line. Ronaldo timed his run expertly, beat the offside trap and calmly guided a low finish into the corner to make it 3-0.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side’s third goal past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The goal carried historic significance. Eusébio’s Portuguese World Cup scoring record of nine goals had stood untouched since the legendary forward’s exploits at the 1966 tournament. Ronaldo’s second goal of the evening moved him onto ten World Cup goals, finally surpassing a mark that had survived for six decades.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Portugal maintain pressure after the break
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Portugal dominating possession and territory while Uzbekistan struggled to create meaningful openings.The fourth goal arrived on the hour mark from a corner. João Félix flicked the delivery on at the near post and the ball struck defender Abdukodir Khusanov before looping beyond Nematov and into the net for an own goal.
Uzbekistan’s Abduvohid Nematov (12) ) scores an own goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) CORRECTION – Corrects player who scored an own goal to Abduvohid Nematov (12)
Portugal’s fifth and final goal came three minutes from time through substitute Rafael Leão.Nélson Semedo burst forward down the right and delivered a precise cutback into the penalty area. Leão arrived unmarked and swept a composed first-time finish beyond the goalkeeper to complete the scoring.
Portugal’s Rafael Leao, 2nd left, scores his side’s fifth goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Portugal close on qualification as Group K takes shape
Portugal’s dominance was reflected across the statistics. They controlled 66 percent possession, produced 16 shots to Uzbekistan’s seven, registered nine efforts on target and completed passes at an impressive 92 percent accuracy rate.The victory moves Portugal onto four points from two matches with a healthy goal difference of plus-five. Uzbekistan remain without a point and are mathematically eliminated from the tournament.Group K’s picture will become clearer once Colombia face DR Congo later in the matchday, but Portugal have placed themselves in a strong position ahead of their final group fixture.The decisive test now comes against Colombia, a match that could determine top spot in the group. A victory would almost certainly send Portugal into the knockout rounds as group winners, while even a draw should be enough to secure progression.For Ronaldo, meanwhile, it was another night that added fresh chapters to a career already overflowing with records. Twenty years after his first World Cup appearance, he left Houston having become the first player to score in six World Cups and the outright leading World Cup goalscorer in Portuguese history.
