Cristiano Ronaldo took just six minutes to silence the doubters and give Portugal an early lead against Uzbekistan in Houston this afternoon.
The Al-Nassr superstar was under pressure to perform after a quiet display in the draw with DR Congo last week that led to speculation he could be left out by boss Roberto Martinez.
But, having watched the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe shine in recent days, the 41-year-old stepped up with a trademark finish.
Joao Cancelo surged down the right and his low cross was perfect for Ronaldo to get across his marker and fire home at the near post.
The goal was a record-breaking effort as Ronaldo became the first man to score at six World Cup finals.
Ronaldo’s effort capped a bright start for Portugal with Bruno Fernandes seeing a shot deflected over and Ronaldo also narrowly failing to get on the end of a superb Nuno Mendes centre.
Portugal’s delight was doubled after 17 minutes when Pedro Neto was tripped on the edge of the area. Everyone expected Ronaldo to take the free-kick but, instead, Mendes whipped a left-footed effort into the bottom corner to hand Martinez’s men a 2-0 lead.
PORTUGAL TEAM NEWS
Ruben Dias returned at the centre of defence after injury kept him out of the DR Congo game.
Joao Felix came in for Bernardo Silva in midfield.
Portugal: D Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Felix, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo
Portugal substitutes: Sa, R Silva, Semedo, Araujo, Dalot, Inacio, S Costa, Nunes, B Silva, Neves, Ramos, Trincao, Leao, Guedes, Conceicao
UZBEKISTAN TEAM NEWS
Uzbekistan: Nematov; Khusanov, Ashurmatov, Nasrullaev, Abdullaev, Karimov; Shukurov, Xamrobekov, Ganiev, Fayzullaev; Shomurodov
Uzbekistan substitutes: Yusupov, Ergashev, Alijonov, Sayfiev, Eshmurodov, Ulmasaliyev, Urozov, Mozgovoy, Iskanderov, Jiyanov, Urunov, Khamdamov, Esanov, Amonov, Sergeev
Where to watch Portugal v Uzbekistan: TV and online streams
Portugal v Uzbekistan kicks off at 6pm UK time on Tuesday. It will be broadcast on ITV1 and STV and available to stream via ITVX and the STV Player. Sky subscribers can also stream the game via Sky Go.
Stats for Portugal v Uzbekistan
- This is the first meeting between Portugal and Uzbekistan.
- Ronaldo has failed to score in each of his 10 major tournament games.
- The 41-year-old has not scored a non-penalty goal in his last 13 tournament appearances.
- Only once before have Portugal failed to win both of their opening two games at a World Cup. That incidence came in 2014, when they failed to progress to the knockouts.
- Portugal are winless in their last two World Cup games against AFC teams, losing to South Korea in 2022 following a draw with Iran in 2018.
- Uzbekistan have lost their last three games having suffered defeat in both pre-World Cup friendlies.
- Only one of Uzbekistan’s last 23 games against UEFA opposition has ended in victory (D10, L12).
