Ronaldo’s Brace Helps Portugal Earn Victory over Uzbekistan

By Daniel Feuerstein | Houston, TX | June 23rd, 2026

Portugal came ready to play Uzbekistan, as Cristiano Ronaldo and friends were ready to take on their next opponents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After suffering a one-goal draw to Congo DR, Portugal was ready to get down to business as they buried the ball early and often, and found multiple ways to get on the scoreboard. When the 90 minutes were done, Portugal found themselves with four points in two matches as they took down Uzbekistan by a final score of five goals to nil.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores two goals in fabulous fashion

It was another fabulous match for Cristiano Ronaldo as he finally broke through in this World Cup, scoring his first two goals. He was active and found ways to convert his chances to put his country ahead. The first goal was a well-worked play from Joao Cancelo at the far side, once he received the ball. He attacked up the pitch, made a big, long cross toward Ronaldo standing just outside the six-yard box inside the 18, picked up his right leg, and smashed it in at the 6th minute of the match. That goal was the sixth straight World Cup tournament in which Ronaldo scored a goal

His second goal was a fantastic low strike that snuck in past the goalkeeper. It all started in the midfield when Bruno Fernandes got control of the ball and began an attacking run down the center of the pitch, and saw Ronaldo making his run just behind the defender along the far side. Fernandes made a fantastic pass to split the two defenders and allowed Ronaldo to fly down and cut in from the outside. Once he got to the ball, Ronaldo took a well-timed strike that tucked inside the back post in the 39th minute.

Big free kick to take a two-goal lead

A foul was called on Uzbekistan, and Portugal was given a free kick just several yards outside the area. Many saw Ronaldo mentally preparing himself to take the free kick, even as Uzbekistan was setting up their wall to see how Ronaldo would take the free kick. But it was all a ruse once the referee blew his whistle for the free kick to be taken. Ronaldo never moved, but his teammate Nuno Mendes ran toward the ball and ripped it inside the back post, and surprised everyone. Many thought Mendes was the dummy to fake out the free kick, but this time, he took it and drilled it home, as Ronaldo pointed to his head and said he used his brains in the 17th minute.

Own goal comes back during a corner

Portugal earned a corner along the near side, and they were setting up a play to get another goal to add to their total. Fernandes was ready, and he delivered the corner in the space at the near post. While the players of Portugal tried to redirect the ball into the net, it was stopped by the Uzbekistan defenders. Unfortunately for goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, his right arm took a back swing, and he didn’t see the ball behind him, putting it in for an own goal in the 60th minute. A bit of bad luck for Uzbekistan, but for Portugal, they made their luck happen.

The final goal of the match

Portugal continues to attack and bring the ball down the pitch. They wanted to have a final flourish, and they got it towards the final minutes of the match. Nelson Semedo received the ball and was attacking down the near side, then he crossed the ball toward the middle of the area, but it took a deflection off the defender’s boot and somehow rolled toward a trailing Rafael Leao, who put himself into a fabulous position to smash that ball inside the upper far 90 and got his first World Cup goal in the 87th minute and ended the afternoon on that last tally.

Uzbekistan is eliminated from the knockout stage

While this is Uzbekistan’s first World Cup Finals, sadly, they are going home as they have been grouped. They played well at times, but facing two solid opponents in Colombia and Portugal was going to be a tall task for them to get to the top of the group or to qualify for the knockout stage. They have one more match against Congo DR, and that will also be a difficult match as they are looking to qualify for the Knockout stage for the first time in their nation’s history.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals and helped Portugal earn a win over Uzbekistan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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