Speculation about seasoned players vying for the golden boot may be premature, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal at this World Cup certainly boosts his confidence, especially amidst Lionel Messi’s relentless pursuit of accolades. Ronaldo found the net twice in the first half, turning a previously disappointing streak into a memory. Before this match, he had not scored in ten major tournament appearances.
Fortunately for him, Uzbekistan’s defense appeared more vulnerable than a novice team’s. Their lack of resilience provided the perfect opportunity for Ronaldo to regain his scoring touch, with goals from Nuno Mendes via a free-kick, an own goal by Abdukodir Khusanov, and a late strike from Rafael Leão highlighting the disparity in class. Fabio Cannavaro’s side struggled to keep pace with their more seasoned rivals.
This performance brought satisfaction to head coach Roberto Martínez, who faced criticism following Portugal’s sluggish start. They secured a place in the last 32, showcasing a marked improvement in their efforts. However, questions linger about whether Ronaldo’s revival can translate into success against stronger opponents like Messi and Argentina in the quarter-finals, a matchup that seems increasingly likely.
Despite the challenges, it was hard to believe Ronaldo would fade into the background. Breaking through a shaky defense was one thing, but the half-volley that marked the start of his scoring was a memorable highlight of the match. Missing an earlier chance because of a slight miscalculation, he made no mistake when João Cancelo delivered a near-post cutback, striking the ball emphatically from just six yards out. Ronaldo was quickly engulfed by his teammates, celebrating in front of the technical area.
Fans who traveled to support Portugal, likely mixed among the crowd of Ronaldo admirers, witnessed his iconic celebration as chants of his name filled the air. Following a foul on Pedro Neto by Odiljon Hamrobekov outside the box, Ronaldo seized the moment for another opportunity. His signature buildup—puffed cheeks, tightened shoulders, and precise steps—set the stage for Mendes to curl a low shot past goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, reinforcing the idea that football is indeed a team sport.
At this juncture, it seemed any score was achievable. Uzbekistan’s defensive line was in chaos, and they nearly conceded again were it not for a block by Abdulla Abdullaev on Bruno Fernandes. Portugal, having struggled to find a decisive edge in their previous match against DR Congo, was now being presented with every chance to assert their dominance.
Uzbekistan’s supporters were treated to moments of excitement as their team made advances, with Sherzod Nasrullaev forcing a save from Diogo Costa. Their bench erupted when Azizjon Ganiev struck the top corner, but a VAR review deemed Abbosbek Fazyullaev’s foul on Cancelo prior to the goal too clear to overlook, nullifying what could have been a highlight for the underdogs.
Thus, no Cinderella story disrupted the day’s primary narrative, which had been facilitated by FIFA’s suspension of Ronaldo’s previous three-match ban. It turned out he could have skipped the game against DR Congo entirely, but he certainly made his presence known in this encounter.
Fernandes was well aware of Ronaldo’s positioning when he made a break through the midfield, slipping a pass between Khusanov and Rustam Shurmatov. With little resistance, Ronaldo found the net again, beating a hesitant Nematov from a tight angle. The sight of nearly 60,000 mobile phones capturing the moment was a testament to his popularity. A third goal seemed imminent just before halftime, but a remarkable intervention from Khusanov prevented Ronaldo from scoring again after he skillfully flicked another delivery from Cancelo over the advancing goalkeeper.
The hat-trick would have to wait, as expectations mounted that Portugal would spend the second half rectifying that miss. Shortly after the hour mark, Ronaldo faked a free-kick before darting into the box to meet a chip from Fernandes, but Nematov was quick to block his effort.
Ronaldo endured a knock in the process, but Uzbekistan suffered a more significant setback when the resulting corner was delivered low by Fernandes, slipping past several players at the near post and entering the net off Khusanov’s body. Austin McPhee, Portugal’s set-piece coach, celebrated alongside Martínez on the touchline.
Ronaldo, inching closer to the goal with every play, was relentless in his pursuit of the match ball. He had a shot deflected wide, another saved, and a late effort that veered off target. Ultimately, it was Leão who sealed the deal with a powerful strike, but Ronaldo’s commanding presence had already made the loudest impact on the match.
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
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- Uzbekistan
- Cristiano Ronaldo
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