Portugal’s eternal superstar responded to all the criticism with a classy goal that sent him into the history books – and gave Portugal a dream start against Uzbekistan.
It took Cristiano Ronaldo only six minutes to silence all doubters. In Houston this afternoon, the Al-Nassr star put Portugal in the lead against Uzbekistan – and proved that age is just a number. (I’m one of the doubters and I’m not entirely convinced, Uzbekistan is not the best team in the world)
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Ronaldo was under a lot of pressure before the game. After an anonymous performance against DR Congo last week, in which Portugal only managed a 1-1 draw, speculation that the 41-year-old could be scrapped by manager Roberto Martinez had completely subsided.
But just then, everyone thought Ronaldo was done, he stood up – just like so many times before. With Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé in focus in recent days, the aging Portuguese took the supper himself and showed that he is still one of the world’s best.
The goal came after a perfect interplay. Joao Cancelo stormed down the right side and hit a low cross that Ronaldo met with perfect timing – he got in front of the marker and put the ball into the net at the near post.
The goal was not only beautiful – it was historic. Ronaldo became the first male player ever to score in six different World Cup finals. Another record to the collection for the Portuguese legend.
Portugal got off to a flying start – and doubled their lead after 17 minutes
Ronaldo’s goal was the start of a sparkling Portuguese opening. Bruno Fernandes saw a shot deflected across goal and Ronaldo was just inches away from reaching a stunning cross from Nuno Mendes.
After 17 minutes, it narrowed again. Pedro Neto was fouled on the edge of the box, and everyone expected Ronaldo to put the ball on the free-kick. Instead, Nuno Mendes took charge – and with a perfectly placed left-footed shot into the bottom corner, he put Portugal 2-0 up.
On our Live service you can follow the match minute by minute.
Team news: Dias back – Felix in
Ruben Dias was back in central defence after having to sit out the opening match with a knee injury.
Joao Felix came into midfield, while Bernardo Silva had to take his place on the bench.
Portugal starting eleven (4-3-3): D. Costa – Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes – Neves, Vitinha, Felix – Fernandes, Neto – Ronaldo
Portugal’s substitutes: Sá, R. Silva, Semedo, Araujo, Dalot, Inacio, S. Costa, Nunes, B. Silva, Neves, Ramos, Trincao, Leao, Guedes, Conceicao
Uzbekistan’s starting eleven (5-4-1): Nematov – Khusanov, Ashurmatov, Nasrullaev, Abdullaev, Karimov – Shukurov, Xamrobekov, Ganiev, Fayzullaev – Shomurodov
Uzbekistan’s substitutes: Yusupov, Ergashev, Alijonov, Sayfiev, Eshmurodov, Ulmasaliyev, Urozov, Mozgovoy, Iskanderov, Jiyanov, Urunov, Khamdamov, Esanov, Amonov, Sergeev
Key figures and history
- This is the first meeting between Portugal and Uzbekistan.
- Ronaldo had not scored in any of his last ten playoff games before today’s goal.
- The 41-year-old had also not scored a single goal without a penalty in his last 13 championship games.
- Only once before have Portugal failed to win any of their first two matches at a World Cup – that was in 2014, when they also failed to progress from the group stage.
- Portugal are winless in their last two World Cup matches against Asian teams: a loss to South Korea in 2022, and a draw against Iran in 2018.
- Uzbekistan has lost three straight games – and lost both pre-World Cup matches.
- Only one of Uzbekistan’s last 23 games against European opposition has ended in victory (10 draws, 12 losses).
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