Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan: Cristiano Ronaldo Makes World Cup History as Portugal Reach the Knockout Stages

Portugal 5–0 Uzbekistan (Ronaldo 6’, 39’, Mendes 17’, Khusanov OG 60’, Leão 87’)

Cristiano Ronaldo finally arrived at this tournament, making history by scoring a brace to become the first player to score at six different FIFA World Cups, as he led Portugal to a comfortable 5–0 victory over Uzbekistan in Houston.

Roberto Martínez’s side have now qualified for the knockout rounds after a slight scare on Matchday One, when they dropped points against DR Congo. The win should give the European side confidence heading into Sunday’s group decider against Colombia.

Portugal deserved the victory and were much improved from their lacklustre display in their opening game, where they managed just one shot on target. Here, they were excellent from the first whistle and could have been three goals ahead within the opening five minutes.

They eventually found the breakthrough after six minutes through their main man, after João Cancelo set up Portugal’s now record World Cup goalscorer for his first goal of the tournament.

Nuno Mendes then scored from a clever free-kick routine, using Ronaldo as a decoy before firing brilliantly into the bottom-left corner. However, it was on the goalkeeper’s side, and Uzbekistan’s number one will feel disappointed that he could not keep it out.

The Central Asians thought they had pulled one back when Azizjon Ganiev scored a stunning effort from the edge of the box, but the goal was ruled out. Soon afterwards, business returned to normal as Ronaldo grabbed his second of the evening.

Bruno Fernandes starred once again, setting up his former Manchester United teammate with a superb defence-splitting pass before Ronaldo finished calmly to give Portugal a 3–0 lead at half-time.

Despite the tempo dropping in the second half, Portugal always looked capable of adding more goals. Another clever set-piece, this time from a Bruno Fernandes corner, caught Uzbekistan out as Abdukodir Khusanov turned the ball into his own net to make it 4–0.

Rafael Leão completed the scoring on the stroke of full-time after Nelson Semedo’s cross found him, and he emphatically finished to seal a convincing 5–0 victory for Portugal and condemn Fabio Cannavaro’s Uzbekistan to an early World Cup exit.

MATCH REPORT

Portugal flew out of the blocks as Roberto Martínez’s side made an electric start, with Bruno Fernandes almost giving his side the lead inside two minutes. However, his stretching left-footed effort from around the penalty spot sailed over the bar.

Moments later, Portugal broke again as Nuno Mendes surged down the left-hand side. The full-back delivered an inviting cross towards Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese legend could not make contact with the ball.

However, moments later, Portugal’s main man stepped up and broke yet another record, becoming the first player to score at six different World Cups as he opened his account for the tournament after just six minutes. He also became the oldest player ever to score at a FIFA World Cup.

Martínez’s side dominated the early exchanges, and the goal had been coming.

João Cancelo’s excellent cross found the 41-year-old, who cleverly nipped in front of his marker before slamming the ball home to give Portugal a deserved lead.

Ten minutes later, Portugal’s dominance was rewarded again through another well-worked set-piece. Pedro Neto won a free-kick just outside the penalty area, with Ronaldo standing over the ball as though he would take it himself.

Instead, he acted as the decoy as Nuno Mendes stepped up and drilled his effort into the bottom-left corner.

Although the shot was close to the goalkeeper, he reacted too late to prevent Portugal from doubling their advantage.

The game settled following the hydration break, with Uzbekistan finally managing to cope better with Portugal’s relentless pressure. A few minutes later, the Central Asians had a moment to remember.

Abbosbek Fayzullaev won possession from João Cancelo on the edge of the area, allowing Azizjon Ganiev to unleash a spectacular long-range strike into the top corner beyond Diogo Costa.

The celebrations were short-lived.

VAR ruled that Fayzullaev had fouled Cancelo in the build-up, and the goal was disallowed, much to Fabio Cannavaro’s frustration. Nevertheless, it proved an encouraging spell for his side as they enjoyed more possession, albeit largely through counter-attacks.

Portugal quickly restored control.

Bruno Fernandes drove forward through midfield before producing a beautifully weighted through ball that split the Uzbekistan defence.

Ronaldo calmly slotted beyond the goalkeeper as his effort rolled into the corner to make it 3–0 and score his second goal of the night.

That strike also saw Ronaldo overtake Eusébio as Portugal’s outright leading World Cup goalscorer. Portugal also set a national record by scoring three first-half goals in a World Cup match for the first time.

The 2016 European champions were firmly in control but nearly added a fourth before the break. Cancelo delivered another dangerous cross after finding acres of space down the right, picking out Ronaldo. The veteran cleverly lifted the ball over Nematov, but Khusanov recovered brilliantly to clear off the line.

The second half began at a slower pace, with Portugal seemingly content to manage the game. Ronaldo, however, continued his hunt for a hat-trick.

Around the hour mark, another clever free-kick routine almost paid off. Ronaldo made a well-timed run in behind as Fernandes lofted one of his trademark chipped passes into his path, but Nematov produced an excellent save.

From the resulting corner, Fernandes delivered a low ball to the near post, where João Félix flicked it on. The ball struck Nematov before crossing the line, with the own goal extending Portugal’s advantage to 4–0.

Portugal continued to threaten, with Ronaldo creating another opportunity after pressing the Uzbekistan goalkeeper into a mistake. His left-footed half-volley was well saved by Nematov.

Martínez’s side were not finished there.

With three minutes of normal time remaining, Portugal’s substitutes combined brilliantly. Fernandes was involved again, releasing Nelson Semedo down the right. The full-back looked to find Ronaldo for his hat-trick, but after the cross was partially cleared,

Rafael Leão reacted quickest to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net and complete an emphatic 5–0 victory.

Portugal comfortably progressed to the Round of 32 and will now face Colombia on Sunday in a battle to decide top spot in Group G.

As for Cannavaro’s men, they were unable to produce another upset after DR Congo’s surprise result against Portugal and will now head home following their final group match.

Man of the Match

Bruno Fernandes