Portugal vs Uzbekistan: Result, Stats & Predictions (World Cup 2026)
Portugal crushed Uzbekistan 5-0 on June 23, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice to become the first player to score at six World Cups.
23 June 2026
Result
Portugal dismantled Uzbekistan 5-0 at Reliant Stadium in Houston on June 23, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the destruction. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Nuno Mendes doubled the lead with a clever free-kick, and Ronaldo added his second just before half-time. An own goal by Nematov in the 60th minute extended the advantage, and Rafael Leao sealed it in the 87th. A complete performance from a side that barely had to get out of second gear.
What It Means for Last Man Standing Pools
Portugal were one of the bankers of the day, and they delivered. In LMS pools, picking a side that wins 5-0 is the equivalent of a luxury — it does not just keep you alive, it makes you look good doing it. For anyone who had been saving Portugal for a tougher matchday, they got away with it: this was never seriously in doubt. The result also illustrates the group stage's built-in generosity — Uzbekistan are a weak opponent for a side of Portugal's quality, making this the kind of fixture seasoned LMS players mark in advance as a stress-free pick.
Pre-Match Forecasts
Portugal were the overwhelming pre-match favourites. Aggregate market data put Portugal's win probability at over 88%, with an Uzbekistan upset considered a near-impossibility at below 4%. The only genuine debate was margin: most forecasts expected a comfortable Portugal win, and a three-goal margin was considered a realistic ceiling. A five-goal final scoreline exceeded almost every model. The 5-0 result is not a surprise in outcome but is a statement of intent from a side now well clear at the top of Group K.
Standout Stats
Ronaldo's two goals confirmed him as the first player in history to score at six different World Cups — 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026 — a record that may never be equalled, per FIFA match data. At 41 years and 138 days old, he also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind only Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days, Cameroon vs Russia in 1994). Portugal ended the match with 17 shots and an expected goals figure of 2.43, against Uzbekistan's seven shots and 0.25 xG, according to tournament tracking data — a clean representation of how one-sided 90 minutes can be when a top nation faces a mismatch. Leao's late goal takes Portugal to eight from two games, the second-highest goal tally in the tournament.
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